What is licorice, many people know, as this plant has long been used in the treatment of coughs. There are many medicines that are made on its basis. Licorice has pronounced medicinal properties, therefore, with proper use, it helps to fight various diseases.
In alternative medicine, the rhizome of the plant is mainly used. In addition, licorice is used in cooking as a sweetener. The decoction obtained from the rhizome has a pleasant aroma, dark saturated color and coloring ability. It is very important to know what licorice is, how to take it correctly, what are the indications and contraindications.
Features of the plant
Before determining how to properly use the plant to treat various ailments, it is important to understand what licorice is and exactly what it looks like. This is a perennial medicinal plant belonging to the legume family. The stem is straight and rather tall. A powerful branched root reaches a depth of 5 meters, at the same time giving lateral shoots. springnew plants appear from them, which is why licorice forms whole thickets.
Its height is from 60 cm to 1-2 meters. A characteristic feature of the leaves is not only their shape, but the sticky lower part. It blooms with small flowers of pale purple color, collected in a brush. Seeds ripen in smooth, even, dark brown pods.
This plant is used for cosmetic, medicinal and industrial purposes due to its chemical composition. Licorice contains:
- various sugars;
- polysaccharides;
- organic acids;
- essential oils;
- fats, carbohydrates;
- vitamins;
- flavonoids;
- tannins.
In medicine, licorice is used, which is also called licorice. Apply it alone or in combination with other herbs.
How to harvest properly
In licorice, the most valuable is the root, which is used for medicinal purposes. Preparation of medicinal raw materials is started in spring or autumn. The dug out rhizome is cleaned of small roots, since a root with a thickness of at least 10 mm is used to prepare the medicine.
The peeled root is cut into small pieces and dried in the fresh air or in special dryers. It is important to prevent direct sunlight. The degree of readiness is determined by the fragility of the roots. They must be stored in a dry place. Subject to all conditions, it retains its useful properties up to 10years.
Useful properties of the plant
It is important not only to know what licorice is, but also what useful properties it has. The main benefit is that the plant can not only treat, but also prevent the occurrence of diseases. The roots contain healing substances that are similar in their action to steroid hormones, so they have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. These substances increase the body's resistance to the effects of pathogens.
Among the main properties of licorice, you need to highlight the following:
- anti-inflammatory;
- anticancer;
- tonic;
- antimicrobial;
- antispasmodic.
Licorice root helps to reduce inflammation, especially when used in combination with other plants. In addition, it has an antitumor effect, which is why it is actively used in the treatment of cancer.
It has been established that licorice has an antihistamine, antimicrobial and antispasmodic effect, which allows it to be used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal ulcers, with allergic dermatitis and eczema. The use of licorice root has a tonic effect, helps reduce fatigue, relieve fatigue and stimulate the body's defenses.
Licorice is widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, accompanied by a strong cough with the formation of thick sputum. Decoctions and infusions of the plant help get rid of nausea, improve workintestines.
Licorice is very useful for men, therefore, in combination with other herbs, it is used to treat prostate adenoma. It also helps to deal with problems such as:
- decreased erection;
- lack of testosterone;
- prostatitis.
Consumption of licorice improves immunity and reduces the risk of infection with pathogens. The antitumor effect of licorice root is used to prevent the occurrence of a prostate tumor.
Infusion and decoctions prepared on the basis of licorice are used for gynecological diseases for douching. They eliminate even strong spasms of smooth muscles, reduce menstrual pain.
Children are prescribed medicines from licorice root to treat coughs with poor expectoration. The plant is part of the chest and bronchial fees. Sweet taste does not cause a gag reflex in a child. Recommended for children from the first year of life.
Indications for use
Many are interested in how to take licorice and for what diseases this medicinal plant is used. The main indication is a cough provoked by various diseases of the respiratory system, in particular:
- bronchitis;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis.
The main purpose of the use of a medicinal plant is to stimulate the production of sputum for the treatment of non-productive cough. That is why drugs made from licorice root are prescribed not only for patients with bronchitis, but also for smokers.
Licorice is used as an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory agent for ulcers and gastritis. It has an enveloping and regenerating effect on the walls of the stomach. Licorice increases the production of stomach mucus.
Licorice has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, which allows it to be used in diseases of the urinary system, in particular, such as pyelonephritis. Licorice root contains steroid compounds that have an antihistamine effect by stimulating the adrenal cortex. This allows the plant to be used in the fight against eczema and allergic dermatitis.
Using infusions
Before preparing the medicine, you must first fry the licorice roots a little in a pan. This will help remove the sugary taste that provokes nausea. Licorice tincture helps eliminate pathogens and boost immunity. This remedy has almost no contraindications.
Then you need to take 10 g of licorice roots, pour 200 ml of warm water. Heat on a steam bath and keep covered for 30 minutes. Cool, filter and drink three times a day, 1 tbsp. l. Store no more than 2 days in a cool place.
According to the instructions for use, licorice is good for coughing with colds and bronchitis. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. rhizomes, pour 1 tbsp. boiling water. Let it brew for 40 minutes. Then filter and drink 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.
Using decoctions
Licorice for coughs has proven itself well, which is used in the formdecoction. The plant is used for colds and pneumonia. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. rhizomes, pour 1 tbsp. hot water. Then put in a water bath, cover the saucepan with a lid and boil for 20 minutes. Then put the broth to stand for 40 minutes, filter, add boiled water until the initial volume is obtained and drink a quarter cup three times a day before meals. The therapeutic course is 10-14 days.
According to the instructions for use, licorice can be used for therapy as a decoction to lower blood cholesterol and eliminate plaque in the vessels. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. dry rhizome of the plant, pour 0.5 liters of water, boil for 10 minutes. Let it brew for 10 minutes, filter and drink 0.5 tbsp. 3-4 times a day after meals.
To get rid of diabetes, you need to take 2 tbsp. l. licorice rhizomes, pour 2 tbsp. boiling water, boil for 10 minutes and let it brew for 30 minutes. Then filter the healing broth and drink 30 minutes before eating 0.5 tbsp. 3-4 times a day.
Licorice decoction can be used externally for dermatitis, eczema, and also for washing festering wounds. It is required to take 1 tbsp. chopped licorice root, pour 1 tbsp. water. Boil the healing decoction for 10 minutes. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes, filter. Rinse with a decoction of sore spots or apply lotions to the affected area.
You can use a decoction for prostate adenoma. you need to take 1 tbsp. l. dry licorice rhizomes, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, boil with the lid closed for 10 minutes. When the healing broth cools down a bit, it needs to be filtered. Drink a third of a glass three times a day. The treatment lasts 3 weeks, then take a short break for 2 weeks, and then repeat the therapy again.
Use syrup
You can buy ready-made licorice syrup. Instructions for children and adults should be carefully studied, as this drug has certain indications, as well as contraindications. The syrup is sweet, viscous, has a pleasant taste and aroma. The drug has such an effect as:
- expectorant;
- antiviral;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antispasmodic.
Recommended for children over 1 year of age and adults. The dosage is always clearly indicated in the instructions for the drug. To achieve a faster effect, it is recommended to dilute it with boiled water.
You can make your own syrup. To do this, mix 100 g of sugar and water. Mix everything, let it boil for a few minutes, cool. Then take 6 g of licorice extract, mix with syrup, add 30-40 mg of vodka. Store on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The recommended dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age is 15 ml at a time.
Other recipes
According to the instructions for use, adults can be given licorice in the form of freshly squeezed plant juice. It is used to treat stomach ulcers and gastritis. It is necessary to take a fresh licorice rhizome, thoroughly wash, grind and then squeeze the juice out of it. Take 1 g of plant juice, dilute 0.5 tbsp. warm water. Divide the received funds into3 parts and drink in 3 doses throughout the day. The course of therapy is 1 month.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a dangerous and serious disease that causes inflammation. Only folk remedies to get rid of this problem is difficult. To prepare the infusion, you need to take 2 tsp. crushed to the state of licorice root powder, fry a little in a pan, pour 400 ml of boiling water. Wrap the container well with a towel, let it brew for 8 hours. Drink 30-40 drops before meals. Store in a dark bottle.
How to use licorice to treat children
When using licorice, children must strictly observe the dosage and take into account the presence of contraindications. Mostly use decoctions or syrups prepared from the rhizome of the plant. They contribute to the treatment of cough with colds, as well as some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. According to the instructions for children, licorice in the form of a decoction should be drunk in 1 teaspoon or dessert spoon, depending on the age of the child. You need to drink a healing agent warm three times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Children drink syrup much more willingly, as it has a pleasant sweetish aftertaste. This tool helps to remove sputum, heals mucous membranes, improves immunity, has an antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect.
As stated in the instructions for use, licorice syrup is prescribed for children in the following dosage:
- 1-3 years - 2.5 ml each;
- 3-6 years - 5 ml;
- 6-9 years - 7.5 ml;
- 9-12 years - 10 ml.
Drink syrupneed three times a day after meals. However, it is not recommended to drink it with water. Licorice is contraindicated for children under one year old, and babies under 3 years old can be given it only after consulting a specialist.
Use during pregnancy
According to the instructions for use, licorice cough is not prescribed during the period of bearing a child. This is due to the fact that the plant can change the water-s alt balance, and can also provoke the appearance of puffiness.
In addition, licorice can provoke an increase in pressure, increased hormonal activity, uterine bleeding. A decoction, infusion or cough syrup during pregnancy, made from licorice, can be used only in the most extreme cases, when other drugs used cannot normally cope with the existing problem. Treatment can be carried out only after the permission of the doctor.
Contraindications
Together with substances that have a positive effect on the body, licorice contains components that have a negative effect on the body. That is why licorice has both beneficial properties and contraindications. The latter should include such as:
- tendency to puffiness;
- arterial hypertension;
- glaucoma;
- pericarditis, myocarditis, heart failure;
- diabetes;
- diseases of the kidneys, liver;
- reduced blood clotting;
- with individual intolerance.
Besides all these contraindications, takinglicorice preparations are prohibited under:
- hormonal disorders;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- womb or breast cancer;
- prone to uterine bleeding;
- taking oral contraceptives.
High content of phytoestrogens is considered a contraindication to the use of licorice products for men suffering from erectile dysfunction or infertility. When taking such drugs, you must strictly observe the dosage. In case of an overdose, there may be such violations as:
- lack of sexual desire;
- violation of the process of urination;
- breast swelling;
- joint pain;
- nausea and vomiting;
- puffiness;
- dizziness.
Licorice root is the most common non-traditional remedy for the treatment of many diseases. However, it is worth remembering that self-medication is very dangerous for he alth. Given all this, it is important to consult with your doctor first.
Reviews
Having studied the reviews about licorice, we can conclude that the syrup from this plant is very popular. It has an affordable cost, as well as high performance.
According to reviews, licorice accelerates recovery, if treatment is started in a timely manner, until the disease has had time to go into an advanced stage. If you do not exceed the dosage of the drug, then no side effects are observed.
Licorice has amazing properties as it helps in the treatment of many different diseases.
