Licorice Information - Side Effects, Uses and Benefits-Herbal Remedies

Taxonomic class

Fabaceae

Common Trade Names

Multi-ingredient preparations: Alvita Teas Licorice Root, Alvita Teas Licorice Sticks, Full Potency Licorice Root Vegicaps, Gaia Herbs Licorice Root A/F, Gaia Herbs Licorice Root SFSE, Licorice ATC Concentrate, Licorice and Garlic, Licorice Root Extract, Licorice Root Tea, Natrol Licorice Root Capsules, Natural Arthro- Rx, Nature's Answer Licorice Root Low Alcohol and Alcohol Free, Nature's Herbs Licorice Phytosome Capsules, Nature's Herbs Licorice Power-Certified Potency Capsules, Solaray Licorice Root, Tea with Mint, Tubi's Organic Licorice Licorice Bars and Chews, Tummy Soother.

Common Forms

Capsules: 100 to 520 mg licorice root

Liquid extracts: licorice extract, deglycyrrhizinized licorice extract

Tablets: 7 mg of licorice root and 333 mg of pure concentrated garlic

Also available in candy, chewing gum, herbal teas, throat lozenges, and tobacco products. Source

Most medicinal products use the roots and dried rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza gZabra, a perennial herb or low-growing shrub. Spanish licorice, the most common variety, is derived from G. glabra var. typica. Licorice plants are native to the Mediterranean but widely cultivated in the United States, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Greece, India, Italy, Iran, and Iraq. Chemical components

The rhizomes and roots contain 5% to 9% glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), a glycoside that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Hydrolysis of glycyrrhizin yields glycyrrhetic acid, which is not sweet. Other compounds include ammonia, oleane triterpenoids, glucose, mannose, and sucrose. Aqueous extracts of licorice contain 10% to 20% glycyrrhizin. Actions

Glycyrrhizin is hydrolyzed by intestinal flora to the pharmacologically active form, glycyrrhetic acid. The main effect oflicorice is to potentiate, rather than mimic, endogenous steroids .

Studies in animals suggest that glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Glycyrrhizin may stimulate gastric mucous synthesis through effects on prostaglandins, which may explain its ulcer-healing properties.

Anecdotally, licorice has effective demulcent (soothing) and expectorant properties and mild laxative and antispasmodic effects. A Chinese licorice preparation called Zhigancao has been found to have antiarrhythmic effects, including prolonged PR and QT intervals. Glycyrrhizin may also lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and exert antianemic, antihepatotoxic, and immunosuppressive effects.

Reported Uses

Because of its anecdotal use for gastric irritation, licorice derivatives have been studied for antipeptic action. Licorice was also evaluated as a treatment for Addison's disease and was found to enhance mineralocorticoid activity but could not mimic it when adrenal activity was absent.

Glycyrrhizic acid has been used as a shampoo to reduce sebum secretion from the scalp and for cold sores, eczema, and mouth ulcers.

In the United States, glycyrrhizin is used mainly as a flavoring and sweetening agent for bitter drugs, and in beverages, candies, chewing gum, tobacco products, and toothpastes. It is also added to some cough and cold preparations for its expectorant and demulcent effects. Dosage

For peptic ulcer, 200 to 600 mg P.O. of glycyrrhizin daily for no longer than 6 weeks, according to the German Commission E.

The following tea is believed to provide glycyrrhizin in the middle of this dosage range: 1 tsp (2 to 4 g) of crude licorice to Yo cup (120 ml) of boiling water, simmered for 5 minutes. Cool, strain, and take P.O. t.i.d. after food. Adverse Reactions

CNS: hypertensive encephalopathy.

CV: heart failure and cardiac arrest (with overdose), ventricular tachycardia.

EENT: transient visual loss and disturbances after ingestion of 1,4 to 2lb oflicorice candy.

Endocrine: growth retardation reduced serum testosterone levels.

GU: renal tubular damage.

Metabolic: hypokalemia pseudoprimary hyperaldosteronism.

Musculoskeletal: muscle weakness (with hypokalemia), myopathies, rhabdomyolysis.

Respiratory: pulmonary edema.

Interactions

Antihypertensives, diuretics: May increase hypokalemic effects of some diuretics. Avoid administration with licorice.

Corticosteroids (including topicals): May increase effects. Use together cautiously.

Digoxin: May induce hypokalemia; risk of digitalis toxicity. Avoid administration with licorice.

Loratadine, procainamide, quinidine, other drugs that may prolong QT interval: May have additive effects. Use together cautiously.

Spironolactone: May block ulcer-healing and aldosterone-like effects of licorice. Avoid administration with licorice.

Contraindications and precautions

Licorice is contraindicated in patients with arrhythmias; CV, renal, or hepatic disease; or hypertension. Avoid using it in pregnant or breastfeeding patients; effects are unknown. Use cautiously under medical supervision in elderly patients.

Special considerations

Monitor for hypokalemia in the patient receiving diuretics.

A single large dose of licorice is less likely to cause toxicity than prolonged intake of smaller amounts.

Alert Licorice poisoning may be insidious. Monitor for pseudoprimary hyperaldosteronism causing mineralocorticoid-like effects (headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, hypokalemia, hypertension, and heart failure). Monitor for electrolyte (potassium, calcium, and sodium) imbalances, alkalosis, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and hypertension.

Caution the patient about the dangers of excessive and chronic licorice intake, including fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances.

Inform the patient of potential drug interactions.

Points of Interest

Licorice has been used medicinally since Roman times and is popular in Chinese herbal medicine .

Most "licorice candy" sold in the United States is flavored with anise oil and does not actually contain licorice.

Commentary

Although licorice derivatives have been studied for use against peptic ulcer disease, such products have not performed better than H 2 antagonists and may be less well tolerated. Glycyrrhetic acid may playa role in increasing the topical action of low-potency steroids while minimizing systemic effects, but this research is still preliminary. Glycyrrhetic acid is the chief cause of licorice-induced pseudohyperaldosteronism syndrome seen with licorice ingestion, because of its inhibitory effect on the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Surprisingly, licorice in any form, even as candy, should be considered cautiously because chronic ingestion of low doses as well as high doses can be toxic, exemplified by a multitude of serious adverse events documented in the literature.

Antibiotics - Good or Bad? When To Take Them, When To Refrain And What To Do After We've Taken Them!

The odds that you've had one of those nasty winter or spring colds are pretty high. These are the colds that seem to drag on forever gradually turning into an upper respiratory infection. We feel awful, lack energy and usually as a last resort find ourselves in room filled with other people coughing and spluttering, waiting to see the doctor. Unfortunately, the doctor's usual response will be to put you on a course of antibiotics.

Don't get me wrong. I am not against the proper use of antibiotics. They have the potential to be lifesavers when used properly, but they are not a cure-all. Antibiotics are usually used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as tuberculosis, salmonella, and some forms of meningitis. However, they do not work against other organisms such as viruses or certain fungi. It's important to bear this in mind if you think you have some sort of infection, because viruses usually cause many common illnesses, particularly of the upper respiratory tract such as the common cold and sore throats.

A virus is a microscopic organism that lives as a parasite in plants, animals, and bacteria and consists of a nucleic acid core within a protein sheath. Most people who have a head cold, runny nose, cough, muscle ache, sore throat and even a fever have a virus. Viruses usually cause illness for 7-14 days and the symptoms can be treated with non-prescription drugs like herbal decongestants, cold formulas and cough syrups. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only against bacteria.

Bacteria are single-celled, often parasitic microorganisms without a distinct nuclei or organized cell structure. There are good and bad bacteria. Many types of bacteria do not cause illness and live harmlessly on, and in, the human body. The bad bacteria cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, dysentery and blood poisoning. These illnesses can be life threatening and can best be treated with antibiotics. If these bacteria become resistant, then it becomes very difficult, even impossible to treat them. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to them so it's important to only take them when absolutely necessary.

HOW DO ANTIBIOTICS WORK?

The very first antibiotic, penicillin along with a family of related antibiotics (such as ampicillin, amoxicllin and benzylpenicillin) is still widely used to treat many common infections. Our healthy, strong immune systems, with their antibodies and special white blood cells, can usually kill harmful bacteria before they multiply enough to cause symptoms. And even when symptoms do occur, the body can often fight off the infection. Sometimes if the immune system is not strong it becomes overwhelmed by a bacterial infection and needs help to get rid of it. This is where antibiotics come in. Some antibiotics, such as the penicillin's, are 'bactericidal', meaning that they work by killing bacteria. They do this by interfering with the formation of the cell walls or cell contents of the bacteria. Other antibiotics are 'bacteriostatic', meaning that they work by stopping bacteria multiplying.

Unfortunately, the antibiotics do not differentiate between our good bacteria, especially in the gut, and destroy them all! This damage to the destruction of the "gut flora" can have very serious consequences. These beneficial bacteria perform crucial tasks, from boosting our immune system, aiding digestion, warding off allergies to assisting in the elimination of harmful toxins. These friendly bacteria include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidus and Bulgaricus, supplements for which can be found in any health food store's refrigerated section. They protect us against pathogens such as Salmonella, yeast, cholera, and the bad E. coli. Once gone, these friendly bacteria are replaced by hostile bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Clostridium, and Klebsiella, and by Candida yeast, a powerful member of the fungi family.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTICS

The most common side effects with antibiotic drugs are diarrhea, feeling sick and being sick. Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina can also occur with antibiotics because they destroy the protective 'good' bacteria in the body (which help prevent overgrowth of any one organism), as well as the 'bad' ones, responsible for the infection being treated.

Rare, but more serious side effects, include the formation of kidney stones, abnormal blood clotting, increased sensitivity to the sun, blood disorders, and deafness.

Sometimes, particularly in older people, antibiotic treatment can cause a type of colitis (inflamed bowel) leading to severe diarrhea. Penicillin's, cephalosporin's and erythromycin can all cause this problem but it is most common with clindamycin, an antibiotic usually reserved for serious infections. If you develop diarrhea while taking an antibiotic, immediately contact your doctor.

Some people are allergic to antibiotics, particularly penicillin, and can develop side effects such as a rash, swelling of the face and tongue, and difficulty breathing. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic; sometimes the reaction can be serious or even fatal. This is called an anaphylactic reaction. You should use an antibiotic with care if you have reduced liver or kidney function. It goes without saying if you are pregnant or breastfeeding tell your doctor before taking any prescription drugs including antibiotics.

HOW TO USE AN ANTIBIOTIC IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE THEM

Antibiotics are usually taken orally but also given by injection or applied to the affected part of the body. The drugs begin to tackle most infections within a few hours. It is vital to take the whole course of treatment to prevent recurrence of the infection. Sometimes bacteria become 'resistant' to an antibiotic you have been taking, meaning the drug will no longer work. Resistance tends to occur when the bacterial infection responsible for the symptoms is not completely cured, even if the symptoms have cleared up. Some of the residual bacteria, having been exposed to, but not killed by, the antibiotic are more likely to grow into an infection that can survive that particular antibiotic. This explains why finishing the course of antibiotics, even if you feel better, is important.

Certain antibiotics should not be taken with certain foods and drinks. Some antibiotics are best taken when there is no food in your stomach, usually an hour before meals or two hours after - make sure you follow the instructions on the dispensing label. Do not drink alcohol if you are taking metronidazole. Do not take tetracyclines with dairy products, as these can reduce the absorption of this type of antibiotic.

There are a number of important interactions between antibiotics and other medicines so it's important to tell which your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking.

RESTORING BENEFICIAL BACTERIA

If for some reason you have had to go on a course of antibiotics, try to boost your natural immune system and follow this recovery plan:

- Stay away from sugar or artificial sweeteners. Use Stevia or Lo-Han instead.

- No mushrooms or cheese. No yeasty foods, like bread, rolls or beer.

- Eliminate fruits and fruit juices (except for tart apples).

- Cut down on grains. After two weeks introduce gluten-free whole grains like Auinoa, corn or millet.

- Don't drink coffee, tea, herb tea or coffee substitutes as they often harbor molds.

- Avoid supermarket salad dressings, vinegar, soy or Worcestershire sauce and horseradish.

- Drink anti-fungal teas like paud'arco, angelica root, bergamot, hyssop, chamomile and alfalfa.

- Eat unsweetened, plain yogurt or kefir that contain lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidus and bulgaricus.

- Use olive oil to cook with as a dressing on salads and vegetables.

- Drink organic, green vegetable juices.

- Use raw almond butter.

- Cook with garlic. It contains allicin, a natural anti-fungal chemical.

- Take grape seed extract in water last thing at night.

- Take an antioxidant supplement that includes vitamins E, A, and C (among others) zinc and selenium

For this dietary plan to be affective it should be continued for at least 4 to 6 weeks, however before beginning any dietary program always check with you doctor first. When coming off the plan you can try eating foods you have cut out, one at a time to see how they make you feel. If you get gas or bloating stop taking the food for another few weeks. Following this plan for the recommended amount of time will help boost your immune system and help you to stay healthy.