The 'Jack of All Trades' in Herbal Medicine: A Complete Guide to Licorice's Surprising Benefits and Must-Know Side Effects

Hello.

You may have heard the Korean expression, "the licorice in every pharmacy." It refers to someone or something that is indispensable and appears in every situation. Just as this idiom suggests, Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, known as 'Gamcho' in Korea) is a crucial herb found in countless traditional medicine prescriptions. This is thanks to its ability to harmonize the properties of other herbs and neutralize their toxins.

However, just because it's widely used, does that mean it's safe to consume without proper knowledge? Behind the sweetness of Licorice lie powerful benefits and potentially serious side effects that we must understand. Today, we'll delve deep into the two faces of this remarkable herb.

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Sweet comfort, a natural moderator with value far beyond its taste: Licorice.

What are the benefits of Licorice?

The key active compound in Licorice is 'Glycyrrhizin.' This component, which is up to 50 times sweeter than sugar, is at the heart of Licorice's efficacy.

[Summary of Benefits]

• Protects stomach and esophageal mucous membranes and improves ulcers
• Potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects
• Supports liver function and relieves fatigue (Licorice injection)
• Soothes skin and alleviates skin troubles
• Helps neutralize toxins and aids in detoxification

1. A Strong Shield for Stomach Health
Licorice promotes the secretion of mucin, which protects the stomach's mucosal lining. This helps alleviate symptoms like heartburn, gastritis, and peptic ulcers caused by excess stomach acid. It has also been reported to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, making it effective in maintaining digestive health.

2. Calming Inflammation Throughout the Body
Glycyrrhizin has a structure similar to the adrenal cortex hormones that regulate our body's inflammatory responses, giving it powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It can help soothe inflammation in respiratory conditions like bronchitis and pharyngitis, and also aid in mitigating allergic reactions such as atopic dermatitis and hives.

3. Revitalizing a Tired Liver
Licorice plays a vital role in protecting liver health by preventing liver cell damage and supporting its detoxification functions. The "Licorice injection" used in modern medicine was developed based on this benefit. Its main component, glycyrrhizin, is known to improve liver function values in patients with chronic liver disease and is used as a prescription drug to combat chronic fatigue.

4. For Clear and Calm Skin
The anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of Licorice also directly benefit the skin. It soothes inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema and helps prevent blemishes by inhibiting melanin production, making it a popular ingredient in cosmetics.

Precautions for Licorice Consumption (Are there side effects?)

While Licorice offers great benefits, excessive or long-term consumption can lead to serious side effects, requiring extreme caution. All of these side effects are closely related to its main component, glycyrrhizin.

[Summary of Precautions]

• May cause high blood pressure and edema (swelling)
• Can lead to low potassium levels, causing weakness and muscle paralysis
• Caution is advised for pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Should be avoided by individuals with kidney or heart disease
• Long-term use (more than 4 weeks) is not recommended

1. High Blood Pressure and Edema (Pseudoaldosteronism)
Glycyrrhizin mimics the hormone aldosterone in the body, promoting the reabsorption of sodium and water in the kidneys while increasing potassium excretion. This increases bodily fluid volume, which can raise blood pressure and cause edema, or swelling, in the face, hands, and feet. This condition is known as pseudoaldosteronism.

2. Hypokalemia (Low Potassium) and Muscle Issues
Excessive excretion of potassium can lead to hypokalemia. As potassium is essential for normal muscle contraction and relaxation, a deficiency can result in severe fatigue, weakness, and even muscle cramps or paralysis, which can be very dangerous.

3. Individuals with Pre-existing Conditions and Pregnant Women
For those already suffering from high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart disease, consuming Licorice can worsen their symptoms and should be strictly avoided. Furthermore, some studies suggest it may increase the risk of premature birth, so it is not safe for pregnant women.

How can we use Licorice in a healthy way? (Usage Guide)

To safely enjoy the benefits of Licorice, the most important principles are 'proper dosage' and 'short-term use.'

• Enjoy as Licorice Tea: Add about 2-4 grams of washed, dried Licorice root to 1 liter of water and simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes. Adding jujube or ginger can enhance both the flavor and benefits.
  
  
• Use in Broths and Cooking: A small piece or two of Licorice can be used when making broth to remove the gamey smell of meat or fish and add a subtle, natural sweetness.
  
  
• Safe Daily Intake: Health authorities recommend a daily intake of glycyrrhizin of no more than 70 mg. Since 1 gram of dried Licorice typically contains 20-40 mg of glycyrrhizin, you should not consume more than 2-4 grams of dried Licorice per day and avoid continuous intake for more than four weeks.

Conclusion

Licorice is a "double-edged sword." While it provides excellent health benefits, its misuse can lead to serious side effects. It is crucial to be wise and check the content and recommended duration of use when consuming health supplements or teas containing Licorice.

I hope that by understanding this information, you can use Licorice correctly and make it a positive addition to your healthy lifestyle.

[References]

• Omar, H. R., et al. (2012). Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message. Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism, 3(4), 125–138.
• Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Korea), Information on 'Licorice Extract'.

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