Meadowsweet Herbs

Description:

Licorice root has several medicinal species including Glycyrrhiza glabra (native to southern Europe and parts of Asia), Glycyrrhiz urelensis (native to China), and Glycyrrhiza lepidota, which is the North American species that is native in Montana. In the leguminasae family, licorice likes to grow by gravel banks, waste places and drainage banks. I often see it by our rivers and canals in Montana. A perennial, licorice grows up to about 4 feet high. It has clusters of small white pea-like flowers that bloom in late spring. The leaves are alternate, with 11-19 lance-shaped leaflets. The brown pods are covered with hooked bristles. It can grow in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil with a pH of 5.5 – 8.0.

The roots and rhizomes are best harvested in the early spring or fall. Dry, licorice can be used as a tea, decoction, capsule or tincture. As a tincture, the dosage is 30-60 drops 3 times a day. The capsule dosage is 1 “oo” capsule up to 3 times a day. Licorice also makes a tasty, sweet tea or decoction.

Properties:

The earliest use of licorice was recorded in 2100 B.C. Glycyrrhiza is a Greek word meaning “sweet root” and indeed the root contains 6% glycyrrhizin, a substance that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice is the most used herb after ginseng. It is often used in Chinese medicine to harmonize and balance other herbs in an herbal prescription.

Good for high stress and adrenal burnout, licorice supports and stimulates adrenal glands. It is an adaptogenic herb, making it useful in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. For a woman, licorice can trigger estrogenic activity in the body, helping to encourage normal ovulation. It is a uterine tonic and is useful for chronic menstrual cramps, menopause and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).

Licorice is soothing to mucus membranes. It is demulcent and expectorant, making it helpful for coughs, thick mucus, bronchitis and respiratory infections. It is a useful antiviral for colds, flu and viral infections such as herpes. Use it both internally and externally to speed the healing process. As a gentle laxative as it shunts fluid away from the kidneys and towards the digestive system and lungs. Licorice is extremely useful anti-inflammatory and great for gastric ulcers, eczema and topical inflammations. It can also be used for auto-immune conditions including lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis.

The tender young shoots of wild licorice can be eaten raw in the spring, and were used for food by the Cheyenne Indians. The roots can also be eaten, raw or cooked. Licorice root can be chewed raw as a masticatory, making it an excellent tooth cleaner.

Contraindications:

Licorice is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure or kidney disease as it causes sodium retention. It is not for pregnancy. It should not be taken in prolonged large doses and I find it best if taken in combination with other herbs.