Glycyrrhiza glabra

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Leguminosae / Fabaceae (=Papilionaceae )

  • Liquorice
  • `irq el-sus عرق السوس
  • sus سوس
  • shush qereakh
  • שׁוּשׁ קֵרֵחַ

Phanerophyte shrub

  • Humid habitats
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and other botanical details.

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cardiovascular

Hypertension

Hypotensive

1. Decoct ground roots & drink x1-2 cups /day.
2. Grind roots & eat x1 teaspoon /day. Do not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Expectorant for cough & sinus inflammation (especially infants & children).

Expectorant

Soak root in cold water & drink water.

Root Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Throat inflammation

Anti-Infective, Demulcent

Boil ? teaspoon ground roots in 1 cup water for 5 min & drink x2/day. Do not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Gastrointestinal

Constipation

Laxative

1. Boil 40 gm roots in water + 40 gm sulfur + 40 gm senna (Senna alexandrina), sweeten + sugar & drink x1 tablespoon evenings as needed.
2. Boil 40gm roots in water + 40 gm senna (Senna alexandrina), filter, sweeten + sugar & drink 1 teaspoon/day as needed.
3. Soak stems in hot water, filter, sweeten + sugar & drink x1 cup/day as needed.
4. Mix equal amounts of licorice seeds + seeds of senna (Senna alexandrina), anise (Anisum vulgare ), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare); add x1 teaspoon of mixture to 1 cup boiling water & drink multiple doses as needed. Do not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS).

Root, Seed, Stem B
Gastrointestinal

Induce vomiting

Emetic

Prepare concentrated extract from root & rhizome & drink.

Rhizome, Root Z
Gastrointestinal

Liver problems

Hepatic

Boil 1 teaspoon ground roots in 1 cup water for 10 min, drink x2/day for 3 days. Do NOT exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS)

Root B
Gastrointestinal

Safe laxative in pregnancy

Laxative

Use root. Can also add aloe & "sanamakki" (Senna alexandrina). (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)

Root Z
Gastrointestinal

Stomach ache

Carminative

Cook root in water & eat.

Root Z
Gastrointestinal

Stomach acidity

Antacid

1. Chew root.
2. Suck candy made from root.

Root Z
General

Internal inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Soak root in water for few days & drink x4 glasses /day.

Root Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Kidney stones

Anti-lithic

Decoct ground roots & drink x1 cup/day as needed. Do not exceed suggested dose. (See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary retention

Deobstruent

Decoct ground roots & drink x1-2 cups/day.

Root B
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary tract infection

Anti-Infective

Boil ground roots in water & drink 1 cup x 2-3/day. Can add equal quantity of fennel. Do Not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS).

Root B
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Arthritis

Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory

Grind ? teaspoon of roots, boil in water & drink 1 cup x2/day. Do not exceed suggested dose. (See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Nervous System

Headache

Analgesic

Soak root in water for few days & drink as needed.

Root Z
Oral Health

Bad breath

Mouth wash

Chew root after eating.

Root Z
Oral Health

Cracked lips

Lubricant

Simmer 200 gm leaves in 1L water for 20 min, stand 15 min, filter & apply to cracked lips x2/day. Do not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS.)

Leaf B
Oral Health

Gingivitis

Anti-gum disease

1. Simmer 200 gm roots in 1 L of water for 20 min, leave 15 min, filter & drink as needed.
2. Use above as mouth rinse x2/day. Do Not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Respiratory

Asthma

Anti-asthmatic

Boil x3 tablespoons dried roots in 3 cups water for 5 mins & drink 1 cup x2/day. Do not exceed suggested dose. (See CAUTIONS.)

Root B
Respiratory

Cough, colds & soften throat

Anti-Infective, Anti-tussive, Demulcent

1. Soak root in water for few days, filter & drink x3 glasses/day. (Z)
2. Soak root in water + carob fruit (Ceratonia siliqua) & drink the water. (Z)
3. Prepare from root a thick juice or jam (+ other fruits) & drink or suck. (Z)
4. Cough only: Boil 1 teaspoon ground roots in water for 10 min, drink x2/day for 3 days. (B) Do not exceed suggested dose (See CAUTIONS.).

Root Z, B
Smoking

Improve tobacco taste

Cigarette

Add powdered root to tobacco.

Root Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

Cautions

Do not exceed dose given in these recipes. Glycyrrhiza glabra contains estragole & glycyrrhizin that induce mineralocorticoid effects (lower K, retention Na & water), causing hypertension, oedema, congestive heart failure etc. Contraindicated in premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, liver & renal disease. Exceeding dose can be dangerous. Excessive quantities may cause symptoms that include headache, sluggishness etc. Can also potentiate the effect of various drugs including diuretics, cardiac medication, laxatives, cortisol etc.