Glycyrhiza Glabra Research Paper

1. Executive Summary

Glycyrrhiza glabra has been around for centuries and has been used medicinally since 500 BC. It has been known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anticancer, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardio protective activities. Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice in English, sweet wood and Yastimadha by Ayurveda and gancao in Chinese medicine which means sweet grass and is mostly found in Mediterranea and certain areas of Asia. In chinese medicine glycyrrhiza glabra has shown to nourish Qi, palliate pains, act as spleen and stomach tonic, eliminate phlegm and relieve coughing. The roots and rhizome of glycyrrhiza glabra has shown to be main medicinal part of the plant as they are rich in glycyrrhizic

The name Glycyrrhiza glabra is derived from ancient Greek word glukurrhiza meaning ‘sweet root’. Glycyrrhiza glabra belongs to Fabaceae family, a dwarf shub with oval leaflets, purple or white clusted flower, flat pods, a main taproot, numerous runners, cylindrical fibrous wood which grows horizontally underground. The plant usually grow well in deep, sand but fertile soil near stream. By the third or fourth year the underground roots are cultivated and the remaining in the ground will renew itself during the ensuing three years. Glycyrrhiza glabra was collected in the wild and its first culvations was recorded by Piero de Cresenzi of Bologna in the thirteen centuries. There are over 20 species of glycyrrhiza glabra, glycyrrhiza lepidota native to North America, glycyrrhiza uralensis native to Northern China, and other species includes: glycyrrhiza aspera, glycyrrhiza korshinsky and glycyrrhiza eurycarypa. Its roots and stolons glycyrrhizin also known as glycyrrhizic acid a sweet compound about 50 times sweeter than

0.5-1.0ml for catarrhs of the respiratory tract and 1.5-3.0ml for gastric or duodenal ulcer. Liquorice can be used as infusion as well about 2-4g in 150ml of water three times daily after meals. Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice in tablets 380mg in acute gastric or duodenal ulcer chew 2-4 tablets before meal and for chronic cases chew 1-2 before meal. Patients are advised not to use longer than four to six weeks without consulting with their medical doctor.

The common side effect of excessive liquorice administration are hypertension, sodium rentation, water rentaintion, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis, these are similar symptoms that you observed in mineralocorticoid excess.

Pregnant women, pediatric patient, women who are breastfeeding, breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancer, renal or liver concerns are considered unsafe to use liquorice.

Patients with the following conditions should avoid or consult with their physician before using liqourice containing product:

• Endocrine abnormalities affecting aldosterone or cortisol,

• Chronic respiratory conditions,

• Musculoskeletal