Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Family

Leguminosae / Fabaceae (=Papilionaceae )

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Liquorice

Arabic Name(s)

`irq el-sus عرق السوس
sus سوس

Hebrew Name(s)

shush qereakh

שׁוּשׁ קֵרֵחַ

Life Form

Phanerophyte shrub

Habitat

Humid habitats

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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.