What is licorice, many know, since this plant has long been used in the treatment of cough. There are many medications that are made on its basis. Licorice has pronounced healing properties, therefore, with proper use, it helps to fight various diseases.
In alternative medicine, the rhizome of the plant is mainly used. In addition, licorice is used in cooking as a sweetener. The broth obtained from the rhizome has a pleasant aroma, dark saturated color and coloring ability. It is very important to know what licorice is, how to take it correctly, what are the indications and contraindications.
Plant features
Before determining how to properly use the plant to treat various diseases, it is important to understand what licorice is and how exactly it looks. This is a perennial medicinal plant belonging to the legume family. The stem is straight and rather tall. A powerful branched root reaches a depth of 5 meters, at the same time giving lateral shoots. In the spring of them new plants appear, which is why licorice forms whole thickets.
Its height is from 60 cm to 1-2 meters. A characteristic feature of the leaves is not only their shape, but also the sticky lower part. It blooms with small flowers of pale purple, collected in a brush. Seeds ripen in smooth, even pods of dark brown color.
This plant is used for cosmetic, medicinal and industrial purposes due to its chemical composition. Licorice contains:
- various sugars;
- polysaccharides;
- organic acids;
- essential oils;
- fats, carbohydrates;
- vitamins;
- flavonoids;
- tannins.
In medicine, licorice is used, which is also called licorice. Apply it alone or in combination with other herbs.
How to harvest
In licorice, the most valuable is the root, which is used for medicinal purposes. Preparation of medicinal raw materials is started in spring or autumn. The excavated rhizome is cleaned of small roots, since a root with a thickness of at least 10 mm is used to prepare the medicine.
The cleaned root is cut into small pieces and dried in fresh air or special dryers. It is important to prevent direct sunlight. The degree of readiness is determined by the fragility of the roots. Keep them in a dry place. Subject to all conditions, it retains its useful properties for up to 10 years.
Useful properties of the plant
It is important not only to know what licorice is, but also what useful properties it has. The main benefit is that the plant can not only heal, but also prevent the occurrence of diseases. The roots contain healing substances, which in their action are similar to steroid hormones, so they have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. These substances increase the body's resistance to the effects of pathogens.
Among the main properties of licorice, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antitumor;
- tonic;
- antimicrobial;
- antispasmodic.
Licorice root helps eliminate inflammation, especially if used in combination with other plants. In addition, it has an antitumor effect, which is why it is actively used in the treatment of cancer.
It is established that licorice has an antihistamine, antimicrobial and antispasmodic effect, which allows it to be used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal ulcers, with allergic dermatitis and eczema. Eating licorice root has a tonic effect, helps reduce fatigue, relieve fatigue and stimulate the body's defenses.
Licorice is widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, accompanied by a strong cough with the formation of thick sputum. Decoctions and infusions of the plant help get rid of nausea, improve bowel function.
Licorice is very useful for men, therefore, in combination with other herbs, it is used to treat prostate adenoma. It also helps to deal with problems such as:
- decreased erection;
- lack of testosterone;
- prostatitis.
Liquorice consumption boosts immunity and reduces the risk of infection by pathogens. The antitumor effect of licorice root is used to prevent the occurrence of a prostate tumor.
Infusions and decoctions, prepared on the basis of licorice, are used in gynecological diseases for douching. They eliminate even severe cramps of smooth muscles, reduce menstrual pain.
Children are prescribed medications from licorice root to treat cough with poor sputum discharge. The plant is part of the chest and bronchial collections. Sweet taste does not cause a gag reflex in a child. Recommended for use by children from the first year of life.
Indications for use
Many are interested in how to take licorice and in what diseases this medicinal plant is used. The main indication is a cough provoked by various respiratory diseases, in particular:
- bronchitis;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis.
The main purpose of using a medicinal plant is to stimulate sputum formation for the treatment of unproductive cough. That is why drugs made from licorice root are prescribed not only for patients with bronchitis, but also for smokers.
Liquorice is used as an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory agent for ulcers and gastritis. It has an enveloping and restorative effect on the walls of the stomach. Licorice increases the production of gastric mucus.
Liquorice has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, which allows it to be used for diseases of the urinary system, in particular, such as pyelonephritis. Licorice root contains steroid compounds that have an antihistamine effect, stimulating the adrenal cortex. This allows the plant to be used in the fight against eczema and allergic dermatitis.
Application of infusions
Before preparing the medicine, you must first fry a little pan of licorice roots in a pan. This will help to remove the sugary aftertaste that provokes nausea. Licorice tincture helps eliminate pathogens and boost immunity. This remedy has almost no contraindications.
Then you need to take 10 g of licorice roots, pour 200 ml of warm water. Heat in a steam bath and keep under cover for 30 minutes. Cool, filter and drink three times a day for 1 tbsp. l Store no more than 2 days in a cool place.
According to the instructions for use, licorice is good for coughing for colds and bronchitis. It is necessary to take 1 tbsp. l rhizomes, pour 1 tbsp. boiling water. Put infuse for 40 minutes. Then filter and drink 1 tbsp. l 4 times a day.
The use of decoctions
The use of licorice from cough, which is used in the form of a decoction, has proven itself well. The plant is used for colds and pneumonia. It is necessary to take 1 tbsp. l rhizomes, pour 1 tbsp. hot water. Then put in a water bath, cover the saucepan with a lid and boil for 20 minutes. Then put the broth to stand for 40 minutes, filter, add boiled water to obtain the original volume and drink a quarter cup three times a day before meals. The therapeutic course is 10-14 days.
According to the instructions for use, licorice can be used for therapy as a decoction to lower blood cholesterol and eliminate plaques in blood vessels. It is necessary to take 1 tbsp. l dry rhizomes of the plant, pour 0.5 l of water, boil for 10 minutes. Put infuse for 10 minutes, filter and drink 0.5 tbsp. 3-4 times a day after meals.
To get rid of diabetes, you need to take 2 tbsp. l licorice rhizomes, pour 2 tbsp. boiling water, boil for 10 minutes and put to brew for 30 minutes. Then filter the healing broth and drink 30 minutes before consuming food, 0.5 tbsp. 3-4 times a day.
Licorice decoction can be used for external use in dermatitis, eczema, as well as washing purulent wounds. Required to take 1 tbsp. chopped licorice root, pour 1 tbsp. water. Boil a healing broth for 10 minutes. Put infuse for 30 minutes, filter. Rinse with a decoction sore spots or apply lotions to the affected area.
You can apply a decoction for prostate adenoma. need to take 1 tbsp. l dry licorice rhizomes, pour 0.5 l of boiling water, boil with the lid closed for 10 minutes. When the healing broth cools down a little, it needs to be filtered. Drink a third of a glass three times a day. The treatment lasts 3 weeks, then take a short break for 2 weeks, and then repeat the therapy again.
Syrup
You can buy ready-made licorice syrup. The instructions for children and adults should be carefully studied, since this medicine has certain indications, as well as contraindications. The syrup is sweet, viscous, has a pleasant taste and aroma. The drug has such an effect as:
- expectorant;
- antiviral;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antispasmodic.
It is recommended to drink to children over 1 year old and adults. The dosage is always clearly indicated in the instructions for the drug. To achieve a faster effect, it is recommended to dilute it with boiled water.
You can make syrup yourself. To do this, mix 100 g of sugar and water. Mix everything, let it boil for a few minutes, cool. Then take 6 g of licorice extract, mix with syrup, add 30-40 mg of vodka. Store on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The recommended dosage for adults and children over 12 years old is 15 ml at a time.
Other recipes
According to the instructions for use, licorice for adults can be given in the form of freshly squeezed plant juice. It is used to treat stomach ulcers and gastritis. It is necessary to take a fresh rhizome of licorice, thoroughly wash, grind and then squeeze the juice from it. Take 1 g of plant juice, dilute 0.5 tbsp. warm water. Divide the product into 3 parts and drink in 3 divided doses throughout the day. The course of therapy is 1 month.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a dangerous and serious disease that provokes the occurrence of inflammation. It is difficult to get rid of this problem only with folk remedies. To prepare the infusion, you need to take 2 tsp. crushed to a state of liquorice root powder, fry a little in a pan, pour 400 ml of boiling water. Wrap the container well with a towel, set to brew for 8 hours. Drink 30-40 drops before meals. Store in a dark bottle.
How to use licorice to treat children
When using licorice, children need to strictly observe the dosage and take into account the presence of contraindications. Mainly use decoctions or syrups prepared from the rhizome of the plant. They contribute to the treatment of cough with colds, as well as some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. According to the instructions for children, licorice in the form of a decoction should be drunk 1 teaspoon or dessert spoon, depending on the age of the child. You need to drink the healing remedy warm three times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Children drink syrup much more willingly, as it has a pleasant sweetish aftertaste. This tool helps to eliminate sputum, heals the mucous membranes, improves immunity, has an antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect.
As stated in the instructions for use, children licorice in the form of syrup is prescribed in this dosage:
- 1-3 years - 2.5 ml each;
- 3-6 years - 5 ml;
- 6-9 years old - 7.5 ml;
- 9-12 years - 10 ml.
You need to drink syrup three times a day after meals. However, it is not recommended to drink it with water. Licorice is contraindicated for children under one year of age, and for children under 3 years of age it can only be given after consultation with a specialist.
Pregnancy
According to the instructions for use, licorice for cough is not prescribed during the period of gestation. This is due to the fact that the plant can change the water-salt balance, and can also provoke the appearance of puffiness.
In addition, licorice can provoke an increase in pressure, an increase in hormonal activity, and uterine bleeding. Decoction, infusion or cough syrup during pregnancy, made from licorice, can be used only in the most extreme cases, when other drugs used can not normally cope with the existing problem. Treatment can only be done with the permission of a doctor.
Contraindications
Together with substances that have a positive effect on the body, licorice contains components that have a negative effect on the body. That is why licorice has both beneficial properties and contraindications. The latter should include such as:
- tendency to swelling;
- arterial hypertension;
- glaucoma;
- pericarditis, myocarditis, heart failure;
- diabetes;
- kidney disease, liver;
- decreased blood clotting;
- with individual intolerance.
In addition to all these contraindications, the use of licorice is prohibited with:
- hormonal disorders;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- uterine or breast cancer;
- tendency to uterine bleeding;
- taking oral contraceptives.
A high content of phytoestrogens is considered a contraindication for the use of licorice products for men suffering from erectile dysfunction or infertility. When taking such medications, the dosage must be strictly observed. In case of an overdose, there may be such violations as:
- lack of sex drive;
- violation of the urination process;
- breast swelling;
- joint pain
- nausea and vomiting;
- swelling;
- dizziness.
Licorice root is the most common non-traditional treatment for many diseases. However, it is worth remembering that self-medication is very dangerous to health. Given all this, it is important to consult with your doctor first.
Reviews
After examining the reviews of licorice, we can conclude that the syrup from this plant is very popular. It has an affordable cost, as well as high performance.
According to reviews, licorice accelerates recovery if treatment is started in a timely manner, before the disease has time to go to an advanced stage. If you do not exceed the dosage of the drug, then no side effects are observed.
Licorice has simply amazing properties, as it helps in the treatment of many different diseases.