Health effects

The compound <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycyrrhizic_acid" title="Glycyrrhizic acid" class="mw-redirect" >glycyrrhizic acid</a>, found in liquorice, is now routinely used throughout Japan for the treatment and control of chronic viral hepatitis, and there is a possible <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transaminase" title="Transaminase" >transaminase</a>-lowering effect.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-13" >[14]</a>

Hepatoprotective mechanisms have been demonstrated in mice.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-14" >[15]</a> Recent studies indicate that glycyrrhizic acid disrupts latent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaposi%27s_sarcoma" title="Kaposi's sarcoma" >Kaposi's sarcoma</a> (as also demonstrated with other herpesvirus infections in the active stage), exhibiting a strong anti-viral effect.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-15" >[16]</a>

The Chinese use liquorice to treat Tuberculosis <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-16" >[17]</a>

Liquorice affects the body's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_system" title="Endocrine system" >endocrine system</a> as it contains <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoflavones" title="Isoflavones" >isoflavones</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoestrogens" title="Phytoestrogens" >phytoestrogens</a>).

It might lower the amount of serum testosterone slightly,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-17" >[18]</a> but whether it affects the amount of free testosterone is unclear.

Consuming liquorice may prevent the development of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperkalemia" title="Hyperkalemia" >hyperkalemia</a> in persons on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemodialysis" title="Hemodialysis" >hemodialysis</a>.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-18" >[19]</a> Large doses of glycyrrhizinic acid and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycyrrhetinic_acid" title="Glycyrrhetinic acid" >glycyrrhetinic acid</a> in liquorice extract can lead to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypokalemia" title="Hypokalemia" >hypokalemia</a> and serious increases in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_pressure" title="Blood pressure" >blood pressure</a>, a syndrome known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_mineralocorticoid_excess" title="Apparent mineralocorticoid excess" class="mw-redirect" >apparent mineralocorticoid excess</a>.

These side effects stem from the inhibition of the enzyme <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11Beta_Hydroxysteroid_dehydrogenase" title="11Beta Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase" class="mw-redirect" >11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase</a> (type 2) and subsequent increase in activity of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol" title="Cortisol" >cortisol</a> on the kidney. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase normally inactivates cortisol in the kidney; thus, liquorice's inhibition of this enzyme makes the concentration of cortisol appear to increase.

Cortisol acts at the same receptor as the hormone <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldosterone" title="Aldosterone" >aldosterone</a> in the kidney and the effects mimic aldosterone excess, although aldosterone remains low or normal during liquorice overdose. To decrease the chances of these serious side effects, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deglycyrrhizinated_licorice" title="Deglycyrrhizinated licorice" >deglycyrrhizinated liquorice</a> preparations are available. The disabling of similar enzymes in the gut by glycyrrhizinic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid also causes increased mucus and decreased acid secretion. As it inhibits <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori" title="Helicobacter pylori" >Helicobacter pylori</a>, is used as an aid for healing stomach and duodenal ulcers, and in moderate amounts may soothe an upset stomach.

Liquorice can be used to treat <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileitis" title="Ileitis" >ileitis</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_gut_syndrome" title="Leaky gut syndrome" >leaky gut syndrome</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irritable_bowel_syndrome" title="Irritable bowel syndrome" >irritable bowel syndrome</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn%27s_disease" title="Crohn's disease" >Crohn's disease</a> as it is antispasmodic in the bowels.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-Winston-19" >[20]</a>

Studies of the use of liquorice extract (usually at 7%) in the treatment of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melasma" title="Melasma" >melasma</a> have shown

that glabridin inhibits <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrosinase" title="Tyrosinase" >tyrosinase</a> activity of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanocyte" title="Melanocyte" >melanocytes</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-20" >[21]</a>

The compounded <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbenoxolone" title="Carbenoxolone" >carbenoxolone</a> is derived from liquorice. Some studies indicate that it inhibits <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11-beta_HSD1" title="11-beta HSD1" class="mw-redirect" >11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1</a>, an enzyme that is highly expressed in liver and fat tissues, where it plays a role in metabolism, and in the brain, where the same enzyme is involved in stress response that has been associated with age-related mental decline.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-21" >[22]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-22" >[23]</a>

<h3 >Alternative medicine</h3>

<div class="rellink relarticle mainarticle" >Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycyrrhiza_uralensis" title="Glycyrrhiza uralensis" >Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese liquorice)</a></div>

In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine" title="Traditional Chinese medicine" >traditional Chinese medicine</a>, liquorice(甘草) is commonly used in herbal formulae to "harmonize" the other ingredients

in the formula and to carry the formula to the twelve

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(Chinese_medicine)" title="Meridian (Chinese medicine)" >"regular meridians"</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-23" >[24]</a> and to relieve a spasmodic cough.

In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalism" title="Herbalism" >herbalism</a> it is used in the

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoxsey_Therapy" title="Hoxsey Therapy" >Hoxsey anti-cancer formula</a>, and is a considered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen" title="Adaptogen" >adaptogen</a> which helps reregulate the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal_axis" title="Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis" class="mw-redirect" >hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis</a>. It can also be used for auto-immune conditions including lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and animal dander allergies.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-Winston-19" >[20]</a>

Glycyrrhizin from Glycyrrhiza root has been shown to modulate airway constriction, lung inflammation and infiltration of eosinophils in bronchial areas by stimulating CD4 and CD8 immune cell function.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-24" >[25]</a>

Liquorice may be useful in conventional and naturopathic medicine for both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouth_ulcer" title="Mouth ulcer" >mouth ulcers</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-25" >[26]</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peptic_ulcer" title="Peptic ulcer" >peptic ulcers</a>.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-26" >[27]</a>

<h3 >Tobacco</h3>

Much liquorice production goes toward flavouring, sweetening and conditioning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco" title="Tobacco" >tobacco products</a>.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-27" >[28]</a>

Liquorice adds a mellow, sweet woody flavour and enhances the taste of tobacco. The burning liquorice also generates some toxins found in the smoke, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycyrrhizin" title="Glycyrrhizin" >glycyrrhizin</a> expands the airways, which allows users to inhale more smoke.

<h3 >Toxicity</h3>

Excessive consumption of liquorice or liquorice candy is known to be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicity" title="Toxicity" >toxic</a> to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver" title="Liver" >liver</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-28" >[29]</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circulatory_system" title="Circulatory system" >cardiovascular system</a>, and may produce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension" title="Hypertension" >hypertension</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-29" >[30]</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edema" title="Edema" >edema</a>.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-30" >[31]</a>

In occasional cases, blood pressure has increased with excessive consumption of liquorice tea, but such occasions are rare and reversible when the herb is withdrawn.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-31" >[32]</a>

Most cases of hypertension from liquorice were caused by eating too much concentrated liquorice candy.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-32" >[33]</a> Doses as low as 50 grams (2 oz) of liquorice daily for two weeks can cause a significant rise in blood pressure.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-33" >[34]</a>

The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission" title="European Commission" >European Commission</a> 2008 report suggested that

"people should not consume any more than 100mg of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycyrrhizic_acid" title="Glycyrrhizic acid" class="mw-redirect" >glycyrrhizic acid</a> a day, for it can raise <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_pressure" title="Blood pressure" >blood pressure</a> or cause muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, headaches or swelling, and lower testosterone levels in men."

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haribo" title="Haribo" >Haribo</a>, manufacturer of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontefract_cakes" title="Pontefract cakes" class="mw-redirect" >Pontefract cakes</a>, stated: "Haribo advises,

as with any other food, liquorice products should be eaten in moderation." A 56-year-old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire" title="Yorkshire" >Yorkshire</a> woman was hospitalized after liquorice overdose (200 grams or 7 ounces a day), which caused muscle failure. The hospital restored her <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium" title="Potassium" >potassium</a> levels, by intravenous drip and tablets, allowing her to recover after 4 days.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-34" >[35]</a>

Comparative studies of pregnant women suggest that excessive amounts of liquorice (100g a week) may also adversely affect 

both IQ and behaviour traits of offspring.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licorice_root#cite_note-35" >[36]</a>