licorice

licorice /lic·o·rice/ (lik´ah-ris) glycyrrhiza; the dried rhizome, roots, and stolons of various species of the perennial herb Glycyrrhiza, used as an expectorant and for the treatment of gastritis; also used in traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda, and folk medicine.

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licorice,

an herb that grows in shrub form in many subtropical areas.

uses It is used for allergies, arthritis, asthma, constipation, esophagitis, gastritis, hepatitis, inflammatory conditions, peptic ulcers, poor adrenal function, and poor appetite. Its efficacy for these indications is not proven, but its active ingredients (glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid) alter prostaglandin synthesis, are agonists at mineralocorticoid receptors, and prolong the half-life of cortisol.

contraindications Licorice should not be used during pregnancy and lactation, in children, or in those with known hypersensitivity. It is also contraindicated in people with liver disease, renal disease, hypokalemia, hypertension, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure.

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licorice (liˑ·k·rish),

n Latin name:
Glycyrrhiza glabra; parts used: rhizomes, roots; uses: in Ayurveda, pacifies vata and pitta doshas (sweet, heavy, oily), laxative, asthma, malaria, hepatitis, gastric complaints, chronic fatigue, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral activities; precautions: patients with hepatic conditions, kidney disease, hypokalemia, hypertension, arrhythmias, congestive heart disease; patients taking antiarrhythmics, antihypertensives, cardiac glycosides, corticosteroids, diuretics, hypokalemia. Also called
Chinese licorice, licorice root, madhuka, mulethi, Persian licorice, Russian licorice, Spanish licorice, sweet root, or
yashtimadhu.

Licorice.