Licorice is regarded as natures cortisone. It has many of the same attributes as cortisone and presents few of the adverse side effects. Nonetheless, licorice is used as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant and is a counter irritant for G.I. and pulmonary tissues. Recent research has demonstrated detoxification properties similar to silymarin due to its content of glycyrrhizin.
Licorice is antiallergenic and is effective topically on many skin infections.
Dosage recommended is one cc per 50 pounds weight t.i.d. daily for carnivores. Use eight cc twice daily for large herbivores. It is advisable to use in conjunction with a diuretic.
Overdose for an extended period of time may cause paralysis.
Licorice is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Licorice has historical use that includes its popularity with early Greeks, Hippocrates et.al. Pliny the Elder (Roman) A.D. 23 extolled the virtue of licorice as an expectorant. It is also a favorite herb in Chinese medicine.
It is the use of licorice as an anti-inflammatory that, in my view is the most important. Its historical use as an ulcer treatment is not justified. Clinical trials indicate it is not effective as an ulcer treatment. Another source claims animal studies indicate a pronounced impressive protection against chemically induced ulcers.
Licorice, the root is what is used, contains glycyrrhizin, a glycoside, starches and sugars. Glycyrrhizin is also known as glycyrrhizic acid. It is the glycoside glycyrrhizin that is the sought after chemical in licorice.
Glycyrrhiza has very significant anti-inflammatory activity. Licorice is effective in treating inflammation, strains and sprains. It is an effective treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Licorice extract, glycyrrhizin, at 10% in shampoo is effective in suppression of sebum secretion.
Chemically glycyrrhiza is very similar to hydrocortisone. It is nature’s cortisone. The anti-inflammatory properties are thought to be due to PGE2 inhibition. Another source sets forth that the cortisol like effect of licorice is related to its inhibition of phospholipase. PGE2 however is very much involved in vascular and muscular dilation and constriction.
The anti-inflammatory effect is due to PGE2 inhibition but the cortisone effect is due to inhibition of phospholipase and the encouragement of PGE2. Apparently a balance is obtained.
Glycyrrhizin has a marked anti-allergenic reaction. It is reported that licorice reduces virtually all allergic conditions. I have no personal experience with licorice as a treatment for allergic conditions. However experienced veterinary practitioners have advised that licorice solves allergic problems 50% to 60% of the time and usually at least ameliorates the problem if it does not solve the problem.
Licorice extract is recommended instead of isolated components of licorice such as glycyrrhizin. The mistake of single active ingredient designer drugs is a root cause of aggravative drug side effects. The whole herb, root or extract of the whole herb or root has a much reduced incidence of side effects and the side effects that do occur are lessened in strength.
Licorice extract is an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is very effective for closed injuries such as sprains, strains and arthritis. The literature indicates topical efficacy for psoriasis and a host of other skin ailments.
Interactions are rare, however, there is some indication that licorice interacts with Digoxin.
Glycyrrhizin may inhibit prednisolone metabolism increasing side effects of cortisone.
Side effects with large doses, given over a long time period, include: lethargy, muscular flaccidity, and one case of paralysis.
We did not invent botanical medicines and we do not recommend that the use of botanical medicines should be undertaken on the strength of our restatement of historical usage and documented research.
We do restate well documented traditional efficacy and the results of ongoing research. Personal experience is included where deemed appropriate.
Regardless of the merits of any plant medicine, side effects do sometimes occur. These may be real or imagined. Always seek the counsel and advice of qualified medical professionals and use caution with any medication, plant derived or otherwise. We do not accept responsibility for the use or misuse of any product put forth or any information provided.
This research is being conducted by the Veterinary Research Council, Inc., of which, Dr. Fox is Treasurer.