Licorice root instructions for use contraindications. Optimal dosage of decoction for patients. Use for cough

Medicines made from herbal ingredients are incredibly popular. This is due to the natural composition and minimal number of contraindications. The thick, fragrant syrup from licorice root has been known to each of us since childhood. It perfectly helps in the treatment of various diseases of the respiratory system, but these are not the only useful qualities of the medicine. Thanks to the rich chemical composition of plant materials, it can be used to boost immunity, adjust hormonal levels, and cleanse the lymphatic system. In this article we will talk about licorice syrup: instructions for use in adults, dosage, recommendations for use, and also consider contraindications for this dosage form.

Licorice is a herbaceous perennial from the legume family. It is widespread in the temperate zone of Europe, Central and Western Asia, Western Siberia, the Caucasus, and North Africa. The synonymous name for the plant is licorice or licorice.

This is interesting! The name of the genus Glycyrrhiza is translated from Greek as “sweet root”, because the plant is rich in carbohydrates, polysaccharides and glycyrrhizic acid, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar.

The grass has a thick branched rhizome, consisting of a main root, located at a depth of up to 5 m, and a complex network of stolon-shaped lateral branches. The outer cover of the rhizome is brown, the cut is yellow. The bush consists of several erect simple shoots, reaching a height of 80-200 cm. The surface of the stems is covered with short hairs.

The deciduous mass is arranged in a regular order, has odd pinnate plates 5-20 cm long. They consist of several oval lobes, pointed at the crown. On the surface of the leaf there are small glands that secrete a sticky substance.

The licorice flower has a white and purple corolla, shaped like the flowers of leguminous plants. The flowers are collected in loose clusters consisting of 5-8 buds. The fruit is a brown bean containing from 2 to 6 seeds. The flowering period is from July to August, the seeds ripen in September. Liquorice is easily propagated by seeds and division of the rhizome.

Rhizomes and stolon-like roots of licorice are used as raw materials for obtaining various dosage forms. These parts of the plant are rich in carbohydrates and related compounds - polysaccharides. The rhizome contains glucose, maltose, fructose, and sucrose. Plant raw materials are rich in starch (up to 34%), contain cellulose and pectins. The chemical composition of the roots includes organic acids - succinic, tartaric, fumaric, malic, citric.

Know! Already in ancient times, Chinese, Egyptian, and Sumerian healers used the life-giving properties of roots for medicinal purposes. The ancient Chinese “treatise on herbs” classified the plant in the first class of significance, so it was added to all phytotherapeutic mixtures.

Plant raw materials contain a large amount of tannins (up to 14%), over 25 types of flavonoids, saponins, resins, coumarins, and essential oils. The roots contain ferulic and salicylic acids, the triterpenoid glycyrrhizin, plant steroids, alkaloids, quercetin, and antioxidants.

Licorice syrup: medicinal properties

The rhizome is available in various medicinal forms, but the most common is syrup - Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup. This dosage form fully retains the healing properties of the plant. To make the medicine, a thick extract of licorice rhizomes in the amount of 4 g is mixed with 86 g of sugar syrup. The volume of the resulting liquid is adjusted to 100 g with ethyl alcohol.

The syrup has a brown color and a peculiar aroma due to the presence of essential oils. The taste is pleasant, sweet. In pharmacy chains it is packaged in dark glass bottles, always accompanied by instructions for use. The volume of the bottle is 60-125 g. The container should be stored in a place inaccessible to direct sunlight, at a temperature no higher than 20 degrees. The medicinal qualities are retained for two years; after this period, the remains of the drug should be disposed of.

Know! You can easily make the syrup yourself, since all the ingredients are available at any pharmacy. Homemade medicine is subject to the same rules of use and storage as the factory-made medicine.

The medicinal properties of licorice syrup are due to the high biological activity of the raw material components:

1. Glycyrrhizic acid promotes rapid healing of wounds and helps in the fight against gastric ulcers. Shows a pronounced antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Pectins help cleanse the body of harmful substances, remove waste and toxins.
3. Flavonoids and saponins stimulate the functioning of the epithelial tissue of the upper respiratory tract, thereby improving the discharge of difficult-to-excrete mucus. Flavonoids eliminate spastic pain, strengthen blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
4. Liquorice phytohormones, related to estrogen, help in the treatment of hormonal imbalances, painful menstruation, and symptoms of menopause. They suppress testosterone secretion.
5. Polysaccharides (dietary fiber) in the raw material give it a sweet taste, have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and create an enveloping effect. They help eliminate cholesterol and normalize blood sugar levels, which is important in the treatment of diabetes.
6. Carboxylic acids (tartaric, malic, etc.) normalize the functioning of the digestive tract, increase immunity, regulate water-salt balance, maintaining the constancy of the body's buffer system.
7. Tannins and aromatic acids (salicylic, ferulic) help in the fight against pathogenic microflora, have a pronounced bacteriostatic, cardioprotective, oncoprotective, antiallergic nature, and are powerful adaptogens.
8. Resins and essential oils have antifungal, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant effects. Improve metabolism, kidney function, stimulate appetite.
9. Quercetin is an excellent plant adaptogen with pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Positively affects the nervous system.

On a note! Glycyrrhizin is 50 times sweeter than granulated sugar, which makes it an excellent sweetener, but you should not abuse licorice syrup for these purposes. Due to its sweet taste and natural composition, the drug based on licorice root is suitable for treating children.

The components that make up the medicinal roots give the medicine an expectorant effect, help prevent the development of tumors, and increase immunity. Various microorganisms are sensitive to them - viruses, fungi, bacteria, microbes. Thanks to tissue regeneration and anti-inflammatory effect, herbal products are successfully used in the treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers. The drug helps regulate hormonal levels.

Instructions for use of the drug: recommended dosage, duration of use for adults and children

The main pharmacological action of Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup is expectorant. The medicine combines a mucolytic (thinning) and expectorant effect.
Indications for taking the drug:

• dry and wet cough of various etiologies;
• bronchitis (acute and chronic form);
• bronchiectasis;
• tracheitis;
• pneumonia;
• bronchial asthma;
• atelectasis (gluing of the alveoli), which occurs due to blockage of the lumen of the bronchi with mucus;
• sanitation of the bronchi in the pre- and postoperative period.

Know! The therapeutic effect is achieved thanks to glycyrrhizin, which enhances the activity of the ciliated epithelium lining the lower parts of the lung.

Instructions for use of licorice root syrup contain general recommendations and average dosages. Before using the medicine, consultation with your doctor is required. The medicine is contraindicated for a child under 12 months due to the ethyl alcohol content and the possible development of allergic reactions. The need for an appointment is determined by the pediatrician.

The recommended dosage for adults is one dessert spoon of the drug. Adolescents over 12 years of age can take syrup at a dosage of 1 teaspoon per dose. Children aged 2-12 years should take no more than half a teaspoon of the product. It is recommended to give 1-2 drops of medicine to babies aged 1-2 years. The drug is prescribed to be taken three times a day after meals.

To facilitate the removal of sputum, it is recommended to combine the intake with a sufficient amount of liquid. Adults and children over 6 years old should dilute the syrup (or wash it down) with half a glass of warm boiled water. For a 1-2 year old child, it is enough to dilute the liquid in a tablespoon of water, but during the course of therapy it is recommended to drink more liquid.

Therapeutic effect of cough for adults

The causes of cough include the accumulation of sputum in the lumens of the bronchi, mucus, purulent exudate, or the entry of various allergens and dust into the respiratory tract. There are two types of cough: a productive (wet) cough, during which mucus and phlegm are actively coughed up, and a dry, irritating cough.

Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup facilitates the removal of sputum, helping to reduce its viscosity. In addition, the functional activity of the ciliated epithelium increases, i.e., the activity of removing mucus from various parts of the respiratory tract increases. Aromatic acids and glycyrrhizin provide an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the activity of pathogenic microflora. These substances also help reduce the tone of the smooth muscles of the bronchial tree, due to which the lumen of the bronchi expands and the breathing process becomes easier.

After oral use of a product based on plant raw materials, a transition from a dry form of cough to a productive form is noted. The regenerative effect of glycyrrhizic acid accelerates the healing of affected tissues. The drug suppresses the replication (multiplication) of viruses that are causative agents of respiratory diseases. It stimulates the immune system to fight the cause of cough – pathogenic microorganisms.

Important! Thanks to the anti-allergic components of the plant, licorice syrup can be used to eliminate asthmatic cough, but in this case, consultation with a pulmonologist is required, since the product can cause a serious allergic reaction.

Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup in the treatment of cough not only helps to remove sputum, but also fights the cause of the pathology. It is effective even in advanced stages of the disease, and its healing properties are equivalent for all age categories. All that is important is strict adherence to the dosage and course of therapy.

Another important note concerns the inadmissibility of using the product together with medications containing codeine. These alkaloids belong to the group of opiates and serve to block the activity of the cough center. In fact, they do not cure the disease, but simply temporarily suppress the cough. If you take two medications at the same time, the risk of a serious complication – pneumonia – increases.

The mechanism of its development against the background of incorrect treatment is that the liquefied contents of the pulmonary tract simply cannot leave the body. The accumulated mucus will become an ideal environment for the development of bacteria and viruses, which will provoke pneumonia. A particularly rapid course of complications is observed in older adults and children.

When smoking

The smoke inhaled by a smoker can be compared to the emissions from a serious chemical plant. It contains more than 12 thousand components, of which one hundred are poisons and 15 are drugs. Harmful substances inhibit the activity of the ciliated epithelium, irritate the tissues of the pulmonary tract, causing a hysterical cough.

At the same time, the smoker is not able to get rid of phlegm, which leads to inflammation of the lung tissue, deformation of the diaphragm and can cause cancer. The mucus continues to accumulate, causing a feeling of suffocation.

Remember! If you add a bacterial or viral component to the listed symptoms, the development of serious complications is inevitable.

The licorice-based product we are considering will help ease the discharge of phlegm. The plant extract will increase immunity and accelerate the healing of affected tissues, which will have a beneficial effect on the health of the smoker. Taking the drug and the recommended course of treatment must be agreed upon with the attending physician; usually therapy is extended for one month. Based on the patient's medical history, the doctor may prescribe other medicinal forms of licorice - tablets, powder, decoctions and infusions of dried roots.

Glycyrrhizin and the aromatic ester anethole have a corticosteroid-like effect on the adrenal cortex, inhibiting the release of adrenaline. With regular use of fresh or dried licorice root (chewed or sucked), a decrease in the craving for smoking is observed. Perhaps this unconventional method will help you defeat the “smoke monster”.

From the throat

The instructions for use of Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup indicate its effectiveness as an expectorant. An irritated throat can also be cured with this dosage form. The therapeutic effect is due to regenerative, antimicrobial, immunostimulating, antispasmodic effects. Due to the suppression of pathogens, there is a decrease in swelling. Antispasmodic properties help relax the muscles of the larynx and eliminate pain.

On a note! It is advisable to combine the use of the medicine with gargling a sore throat with a decoction of licorice roots. It will also help relieve gum inflammation and eliminate ulcers caused by the herpes virus.

To normalize hormonal levels

Licorice roots are a valuable source of phytohormones. They contain plant steroids with properties similar to estrogens. With insufficient secretion of female sex hormones, dysfunction of the ovaries, hormonal imbalances, and early menopause are observed. Licorice reduces testosterone production, which helps restore the menstrual cycle. The antispasmodic components of the herb will help relax muscle tissue and reduce cyclic pain.

Self-medication in this case is unacceptable. You should consult your gynecologist about the possibility of using licorice to normalize hormonal levels. We warn men against prolonged use of the syrupy extract.

A decrease in testosterone in the stronger sex can cause infertility. If the dosage and duration of treatment are observed, no negative effects were noted. Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup has a beneficial effect on prostate health, as it eliminates inflammation caused by pathogenic microflora.

For immunity

Liquorice is a powerful natural immunostimulant. The active substances of plant materials contribute to the production of interferons in children and adults. They suppress the development of viruses, fungi, and microbes. In this case, interferons do not enter the body from the outside, as happens when using immunomodulators, they are produced by the body’s own immune system.

This property of the syrup-like dosage form accelerates recovery. The natural composition makes it indispensable for strengthening the immunity of primary schoolchildren and preschoolers. Licorice has also found use in the treatment of AIDS, because it can suppress the virus, having a beneficial effect on the patient’s condition.

Know! In terms of activating the protective functions of the body, licorice can compete with Rhodiola rosea.

To detoxify (cleanse) the lymphatic system

Lymph is a type of connective tissue that does not contain red blood cells. The main functions of this fluid are to protect the body, transport nutrients and remove toxins. When the lymphatic flow does not function properly, an accumulation of harmful substances occurs, called lymphotoxicosis. It manifests itself in the form of digestive disorders, colitis, hepatitis, decreased bile outflow, deterioration of metabolism, foci of inflammation and skin rashes of various etiologies.

Detoxification, which is performed in the following way, will help improve the functioning of the lymphatic system:

1. You need to prepare a glass of boiled hot water, in which you should dissolve a tablespoon of licorice syrup.
2. You need to drink a warm solution. The lymph cleansing activity is performed on an empty stomach.
3. The next stage is to take a sorbent, which will absorb harmful substances carried by the lymph flow into the gastrointestinal tract. Enterosgel is ideal for these purposes; you will need 1 tablespoon per 200 ml of water.
4. You can't eat for two hours. The optimal course of cleaning does not exceed 10-14 days.

Interesting fact! After the first phase of cleansing, increased secretion of the nasal mucosa (runny nose) is observed. Detoxification is carried out strictly after consultation with a doctor.

Contraindications for use, side effects, special instructions

Although licorice root syrup is made from plant materials, it is still a medicine and has contraindications for use. You should not use Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup during exacerbation of peptic ulcers and gastritis, heart failure, hypertension, or increased secretory function of the adrenal glands. The plant can cause allergic reactions in the form of rash, hives, and swelling.

Side effects include dyspepsia (diarrhea, vomiting), allergies, and water-salt imbalance. Due to a shift in electrolytic balance, edema appears, blood pressure rises, and hypokalemia develops.

Please note that in addition to antitussives, Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup is incompatible with diuretics, laxatives, heart medications, and hormonal therapy. Due to the ethyl alcohol content, it is not recommended to use it to treat children under one year of age. Adults need to monitor the speed of psychomotor reactions; it is better to refrain from driving a personal car and dangerous work.

The sweet, syrupy extract of medicinal roots is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it can provoke hormonal imbalance, increase toxicosis, and lead to edema. Violation of the water-salt balance provokes an increase in blood pressure and hypokalemia.

Remember! The advisability of Glycyrrhizae radicus syrup therapy during pregnancy and lactation is determined only by the attending physician.

In nature there are a huge number of useful plants that are used to make medicines against many diseases.

Some of them are indispensable in the fight against heart disease, others are widely used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and others help eliminate the symptoms of diseases of the respiratory system. The latter includes the miraculous remedy - licorice syrup.

In this article we will look at why doctors prescribe Licorice syrup, including instructions for use, analogues and prices for this drug in pharmacies. Real REVIEWS of people who have already used Licorice Syrup can be read in the comments.

Composition and release form

Licorice root is a herbal preparation. In its composition you can find such components as:

• glycyrrhizin (from 6 to 12%);
• glycyrrhizic acid and its salts;
• flavone glycosides;
• isoflavonoids;
• coumestane derivatives;
• hydroxycoumarins;
• steroids;
• essential oils.

Licorice syrup is an effective cough suppressant. The following components can be found in the syrup:

• licorice root – 4 g;
• alcohol – 10 g;
• sugar syrup – 86 g.

Pharmacological action: mucolytic drug of natural origin.

Why is Licorice Syrup prescribed?

Syrup based on licorice rhizomes is effective for diseases:

• all types of bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• sinusitis;
• pleurisy;
• bronchial asthma;
• stomach and duodenal ulcers during healing periods;
• herpetic infection;
• viral hepatitis;
• tracheitis;
• gastritis in remission;
• ulcers of various types.

Positive results have been observed when using licorice in the fight against many pathogenic organisms and viruses. A beneficial effect of licorice root on the body has been noted - an antitumor effect. Licorice can also cleanse blood vessels in the human body, eliminating excess cholesterol.

Mechanism of action

Licorice syrup has, first of all, an expectorant effect, which is explained by its high glycyrrhizin content. In addition, the drug is characterized by an anti-inflammatory effect and acts as an immunostimulant.

Instructions for use

The syrup of this medicinal plant should be taken no more than four times a day after meals. It is very important that after taking this syrup a person drinks a lot of liquid, and this must be done immediately.

• Orally, adults: 1 dessert spoon in 1/2 glass of water 3 times a day. Children under 2 years old - as many drops as the child is years old several times a day, 2-12 years old - 1/2 teaspoon in 1/4 glass of water, over 12 years old - 1 teaspoon 3 times a day , course duration is 7-10 days.

Contraindications

Contraindications to Licorice in the form of decoctions and infusions are:

1. Cirrhosis of the liver;
2. Hypertonic disease;
3. Hypokalemia (potassium deficiency);
4. Increased sensitivity of the body to plant or auxiliary components;
5. Organic heart lesions, including pericarditis and myocarditis;
6. Pregnancy and lactation period;
7. Functional liver disorders;
8. Kidney failure.

Contraindications to Licorice in the form of syrup are also gastritis and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute stage.

Side effects

When taken at therapeutic doses, licorice syrup is safe in most cases and does not cause side effects. But still some are possible:

• uncontrolled use can cause cardiac dysfunction;
• edema may occur (in particular, peripheral);
• with prolonged use of such a drug, blood pressure may increase, which is especially dangerous for hypertensive patients;
• Possible disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system: nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating.

There is a possibility of developing an allergic reaction, which can manifest itself in the form of hives, swelling and other signs.

Analogues

Structural analogues of the active substance:

• Round licorice root briquette;
• Licorice root syrup;
• Licorice syrup;
• Licorice extract is thick;
• Dry licorice extract;
• Licorice root extract is thick.

Attention: the use of analogues must be agreed with the attending physician.

Prices

The average price of GLYCORIC SYRUP in pharmacies (Moscow) is 75 rubles.

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Syrup made from licorice root- This is a preventive-therapeutic drug and necessarily contains plant materials. Licorice rhizomes are stored for use; the medicinal type is called licorice naked. The fact is that in the roots, as well as in the rhizomes of this plant, there are two substances that have a good therapeutic effect - glycyrrhizic acid and beneficial flavonoid – glycyrrhizin.

Licorice syrup also contains various active substances, including 27 flavonoid compounds that are beneficial to humans, polysaccharides and large reserves of licorice essential oils. Flavonoid compounds include chalcones and, directly, flavonoids and their isoforms.

Instructions for use of licorice root syrup

Root syrup is prescribed in cases where its basic properties are applicable. Licorice syrup has a regenerating, expectorant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunostimulating effect. Thanks to the strong antiviral activity of plant enzymes, the syrup is able to suppress and destroy pathogenic microorganisms, dangerous mycobacteria and the staphylococcal virus. Among other properties, it is worth noting the beneficial effect on internal organs with the antitumor effect of the components.

Indications for use of licorice root syrup

Contraindications

Monitored side effects included allergies or increased blood pressure.

Dosage regimens

Recommended dosage when taking the drug after main meals: for adults – 1-2 tens. l. half a cup of drinking water; for children over 12 years old - one teaspoon per quarter cup of water; children aged 2 years and up to 12 years of age - 0.5 tsp. a quarter cup of water; if used for children under 2 years old - in one dess. l. dilute two drops of syrup.

The course of using licorice syrup as a medicine is usually 9-10 days. Due to the alcohol content, it is necessary to carefully monitor the child’s body’s reaction to taking the medicine. Neglecting the above recommendations can lead to swelling and high blood pressure.

Store the drug in a dark, but dry and cool place for up to two years. Attention, you should not thoughtlessly take medications without a doctor’s prescription; you should also always re-read the official instructions included with the medications.

Pneumonia, tracheitis, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis are serious diseases of the respiratory tract. They appear in both adults and children. It is important to treat the disease in time; it is best to use syrup. It is a safe and effective cough treatment.

Useful properties of licorice

Licorice belongs to the legume family and contains a large number of useful substances. Emulsions, mixtures, tablets, tinctures, and infusions are prepared based on the plant.

The plant has a rich composition; the root and rhizome are used to prepare syrup. They contain saponins and glycyrrhizic acid. Licorice contains ascorbic acid, flavonoids, steroids, estriol, resin, asparagine, gum, and essential oil. All substances help relieve spasms and relieve inflammation.

The syrup, which contains licorice, is one of the best expectorant and emollient medicines and has an antitoxic effect. It contains glucose, carbohydrates, cellulose, fructose, starch, and organic acid.

Uses of licorice syrup

Since ancient times, medicine has valued this medicine because it contains biologically active substances. Due to the fact that licorice contains glycyrrhetic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, it can be used for Addison's disease. The plant will help restore metabolic processes.

Licorice syrup is the best at thinning mucus and helping to quickly remove it from the respiratory tract. When the syrup acts on the body, it improves the secretion of the mucous membrane in the respiratory tract, stimulates the ciliated epithelium of the trachea and bronchi. Has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect.

Indications for taking licorice syrup

The medicine will help cure a respiratory disease that causes coughing. Licorice syrup is used for acute, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis. Can be used to treat laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis.

Contraindications and side effects of licorice syrup

Cannot be taken if you have diabetes. It is also prohibited to take it if a person individually cannot tolerate the components that make up the syrup. You need to be careful when taking it if you have gastritis or ulcers. The side effect is severe allergies and high blood pressure. During pregnancy and the lactation period, it should be taken only under the supervision of a physician.

Side effects that may occur include:

1. Severe rash.

3. The water-electrolyte balance is disturbed.

4. Skin hyperemia.

If you get carried away with licorice syrup, you may develop hypokalemia, hypertension, myoglobinuria, and myopathy. If you feel worse after taking the drug, you should immediately contact your doctor.

4. If the bronchi are blocked by a plug of mucus.

5. For bronchiectasis.

6. For pneumonia.

7. For the treatment of bronchial asthma.

8. The appointment is necessary for the rehabilitation of the bronchi after surgery.

10. Licorice syrup will help heal wet,...

Take orally after meals three times a day. There is no need to dilute the drug with water, but take it with plenty of liquid. The dose can be accurately measured using a dosing spoon. The doctor selects how much and how to treat with this drug; everything will depend on how severe the disease is and whether the patient tolerates the drug.

Licorice syrup dosage

1. An adult should consume no more than one dessert spoon of syrup.

2. Small children are allowed to take half a teaspoon. Infants take 2 drops with water.

3. Children 2–12 years old need to drink a teaspoon of syrup.

Treatment is necessary for no less than 10 days.

1. The syrup contains a large amount of sugar, it should be used with caution by people who have diabetes.

2. The drug contains alcohol, so it cannot be used for treatment for a long time.

3. Addictive.

4. Cannot be used during pregnancy, because licorice may increase estrogen levels, all this will lead to hormonal disorders. Taking licorice syrup during lactation is also prohibited.

5. It is necessary for drivers to use it carefully, because it can inhibit attention, cause drowsiness, and lead to serious consequences.

6. Small children should not consume large quantities due to the fact that it contains alcohol.

Licorice syrup shelf life

In order not to be poisoned by the drug, you need to stop taking it immediately after the expiration date. Store in packaging at a temperature of up to 25 degrees Celsius. Children should not have access to the medicine.

So, licorice root syrup is a useful medicine that can be used to cure respiratory diseases. Despite its rich composition and healing effect, you need to be careful when taking licorice syrup, taking into account contraindications and side effects. Use the drug with caution in children, as they often have an allergic reaction to it.

Licorice is a common perennial herbaceous plant that is used today in traditional and folk medicine. For example, a drug such as licorice root tincture is used to treat cough.

Licorice root belongs to the legume family and can reach a height of 50 to 150 cm. Licorice is unpretentious to moisture and soil type, so it grows equally well in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and southern Russia. It can often be seen in the steppes, fields, along roads or along river banks. Licorice is popularly known by another name - licorice. For medicinal purposes, two types of licorice are used - Ural and naked, which have beneficial properties.

Interestingly, it is not the entire plant that has medicinal value, but only its root, which reaches 5 m in length. Lateral roots diverge horizontally from the main root, due to which the root system of licorice can spread several meters underground.

The roots are dug up in spring or autumn, then thoroughly washed or dried. It is recommended to harvest roots that reach at least 25 cm in length and 1 cm in thickness, since they are considered medicinal.

Chemical composition

The instructions for use state that the licorice rhizome contains a large number of useful substances, such as:

• glucose;
• fructose;
• healthy carbohydrates;
• sucrose;
• starch and cellulose;
• succinic, citric, malic, fumaric acids, classified as organic;
• essential oils.

This is one of the most effective medicinal plants that can give a person beauty, youth and health. The ancient Chinese considered it the second crop after ginseng in terms of healing significance.

What diseases does licorice tincture cure?

Thanks to its rich chemical healing composition, licorice root has a general strengthening, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antihistamine, emollient and expectorant effect (which is important in the treatment of severe cough), as well as a mild diuretic and laxative effect.

The instructions for use say that licorice can relieve, soothe spasms, relieve inflammation and accelerate the healing of ulcers and wounds.
The use of tincture is used in the following cases:

• viral infections;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• genitourinary system infections;
• manifestations of a strong, “barking” cough;
• respiratory diseases;
• diseases of the circulatory system;
• insect bites.

Licorice root helps treat:

• bronchial asthma;
• flu;
• tuberculosis;
• haemorrhoids;
• mild poisoning;
• gastritis;
• constipation;
• nausea;
• increased stomach acidity;
• allergy;
• eczema;
• dermatitis;
• atherosclerosis, etc.

Most medicines prepared from licorice promote the rapid resorption of cholesterol plaques located in the circulatory system, which leads to a decrease in levels
cholesterol. Also, the tincture of this plant can be taken as a prophylactic, as a mild antidepressant.

Licorice root, presented in powder form, is a green-yellow mixture with an unpleasant, bitter-sweet taste. This remedy is most often recommended for internal use for constipation, and for external use in the treatment of wounds, as it is sprinkled on damaged areas of the skin.

Liquorice enhances the effect of many medications, increasing their effectiveness. It is also an excellent restorative, tonic and antitumor agent, so the instructions for the drug recommend taking it for cancer.

When treating a cough with this medicine, it is worth knowing that licorice does not treat every type of cough. Since licorice preparations have an expectorant and mucolytic effect on the human body, such remedies help remove a “wet” cough, in which the sputum is well cleared. In case of dry cough, licorice root does not help, so the rhizome is used as a general tonic that strengthens the immune system and reduces fatigue.

Recipes for preparing medicines

Licorice root can be taken in any form. At home, medicinal water tinctures, decoctions and syrups are prepared from it, the effect of which will be almost the same.

• To prepare the tincture, fry 2 teaspoons of roots in a frying pan and pour two glasses of boiling water over them. Leave for 6-8 hours to infuse. After the required time, the medicine will be ready for use.
• To make a decoction, pour ¾ tablespoon of root with a glass of boiling water, keep them in a water bath for 20 minutes and leave to infuse for 40 minutes. Then we filter the broth, after which it is ready for use.
• To prepare the syrup, mix 80 g of sugar. 4 g licorice extract and 10 g alcohol.

Another treatment option using the root is a foam-licorice bath, which has an immunostimulating effect. Thanks to this effect, baths are an effective way to treat cancer. When using it, the patient is immersed in a thick, soft foam made from licorice root extract.

• Instructions for use of licorice root

  Children from 2 to 7 years old take 5-10 ml, from 7 to 12 years old - 10-15 ml.
  Adults: 20 ml throughout treatment.

• Instructions for use of licorice tincture

  Children - 5 ml 3 times a day.
  Adults (over 18 years old) – 20 ml 4 times a day.

Contraindications for use

It should be taken with caution during pregnancy, as long-term treatment can lead to fluid retention in the body, which means edema and increased blood pressure.

Allergic manifestations are possible, at the first sign of which you should immediately stop taking the drug.