Licorice root,Uses

<p>Licorice is a plant. You are probably most familiar with it as a flavoring in foods, beverages, and tobacco. The root is used to make medicine.

Licorice is used for various <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/your-digestive-system" crosslinkid="21644" keywordsetid="8669" externalid="091e9c5e80007fd4" keywordid="34670" chronic_id="091e9c5e80007fd4" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">digestive system</a> complaints including <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-stomach" crosslinkid="70401" keywordsetid="25972" externalid="091e9c5e8035ee80" keywordid="58694" chronic_id="091e9c5e8035ee80" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">stomach</a> ulcers, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/default.htm" crosslinkid="475" keywordsetid="8918" externalid="091e9c5e8003a793" keywordid="35976" chronic_id="091e9c5e8003a793" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">heartburn</a>, colic, and ongoing inflammation of the lining of the stomach (chronic <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-gastritis" crosslinkid="2118" keywordsetid="1247" externalid="091e9c5e800079ee" keywordid="7467" chronic_id="091e9c5e800079ee" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">gastritis</a>).

Some people use licorice for <a href="http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/sore-throat-topic-overview" crosslinkid="49745" keywordsetid="1884" externalid="091e9c5e8001e5ee" keywordid="8318" chronic_id="091e9c5e8001e5ee" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">sore throat</a>, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-bronchitis-basics" crosslinkid="5708" keywordsetid="925" externalid="091e9c5e80009206" keywordid="7020" chronic_id="091e9c5e80009206" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">bronchitis</a>, cough, and infections caused by bacteria or viruses.

Licorice is also used for <a href="http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/default.htm" crosslinkid="465" keywordsetid="1656" externalid="091e9c5e80024802" keywordid="8006" chronic_id="091e9c5e80024802" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">osteoarthritis</a>, systemic <a href="http://lupus.webmd.com/default.htm" crosslinkid="506" keywordsetid="1503" externalid="091e9c5e80023876" keywordid="7807" chronic_id="091e9c5e80023876" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">lupus</a> erythematosus (SLE), <a href="http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-liver" crosslinkid="73851" keywordsetid="10464" externalid="091e9c5e80348a30" keywordid="42791" chronic_id="091e9c5e80348a30" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">liver</a> disorders, malaria, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-tuberculosis-basics" crosslinkid="5777" keywordsetid="10016" externalid="091e9c5e80008792" keywordid="41350" chronic_id="091e9c5e80008792" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">tuberculosis</a>, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/default.htm" crosslinkid="62" keywordsetid="1225" externalid="091e9c5e800b9d8d" keywordid="7440" chronic_id="091e9c5e800b9d8d" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">food poisoning</a>, and <a href="http://www.webmd.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/default.htm" crosslinkid="169" keywordsetid="991" externalid="091e9c5e800dcf74" keywordid="7106" chronic_id="091e9c5e800dcf74" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">chronic fatigue</a> syndrome (CFS).

Licorice is sometimes used along with the herbs Panax ginseng and Bupleurum falcatum to improve the function of the adrenal glands, especially in people who have taken steroid <a href="http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx" crosslinkid="31476" keywordsetid="8684" externalid="09D1C68D81D74991" keywordid="34730" chronic_id="" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">drugs</a> long-term. Steroids tend to suppress the activity of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce important hormones that regulate the body’s response to stress.

Licorice is also used in an herbal form called Shakuyaku-kanzo-to to increase <a href="http://www.webmd.com/medical_information/health_tools/interactive/ovu_calendar" crosslinkid="31355" keywordsetid="8792" externalid="A9FC1B494E0940FA" keywordid="35298" chronic_id="" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">fertility</a> in women with a hormonal disorder called <a href="http://women.webmd.com/polycystic-ovary-syndrome" crosslinkid="50617" keywordsetid="9562" externalid="091e9c5e8001eeb1" keywordid="39099" chronic_id="091e9c5e8001eeb1" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">polycystic ovary syndrome</a>. In combination with other herbs, licorice is also used to treat <a href="http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/default.htm" crosslinkid="118" keywordsetid="1758" externalid="091e9c5e800247ea" keywordid="8151" chronic_id="091e9c5e800247ea" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">prostate cancer</a> and the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-skin" crosslinkid="70837" keywordsetid="26541" externalid="091e9c5e80396037" keywordid="60205" chronic_id="091e9c5e80396037" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">skin</a> disorder known as <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/" crosslinkid="31234" keywordsetid="1129" externalid="9BBC252E708B4385" keywordid="7308" chronic_id="" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">eczema</a>.

Some people use licorice as a shampoo to reduce oiliness in their <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/picture-of-the-hair" crosslinkid="1507668" keywordsetid="28549" externalid="091e9c5e805865cd" keywordid="62994" chronic_id="091e9c5e805865cd" directive="friendlyurl" object_type="wbmd_pb_page">hair</a>.

Many “licorice” products manufactured in the U.S. actually don't contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which has the characteristic smell and taste of “black licorice.”

Licorice interacts with many prescription medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider if you plan to start using licorice.

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<p>The chemicals contained in licorice are thought to decrease  swelling, thin mucus secretions, decrease cough, and increase the chemicals in our body that heal ulcers.</p>