Licorice (Glycyrrhiza
glabra)
From pages 85 and
86 of Healthy Bones
& Joints by
David
Hoffman
|
Part
Used:
Root
(dried)
Actions:
Antihepatotoxic,
anti-inflammatory,
antispasmodic,
demulcent,
expectorant, mild
laxative
Indications:
Licorice
is a traditional
herbal remedy with
an ancient history
and worldwide use.
Modern research has
shown that it
affects the
endocrine system
and the liver,
among other
organs. |
Licorice
contains
triterpenes
,
constituents that are
metabolized in the body to
form molecules that have a
structure similar to that
of the adrenal cortex
hormones. This may explain
the herb's
anti-inflammatory
action.
Glycyrrhizin
(a triterpene) inhibits the
growth of several DNA and RNA
viruses,
inactivating
herpes simplex virus particles
irreversibly. It has a wide
range of uses in bronchial
problems, including catarrh,
bronchitis, and coughs in
general. Licorice is used in
allopathic medicine to treat
peptic ulceration. Similarly,
herbalists use it to treat
gastritis and ulcers. It can be
used for relief of abdominal
colic.
Preparations
and Dosage:
To make
a decoction, put 1/2-1 teaspoon
root in 1 cup water. Bring to a
boil and simmer 10-15 minutes.
Drink 3 times per
day.
As a tincture
take 1-3 ml 3 times per
day.
Caution:
Avoid
prolonged use. Excessive use
has been known to promote high
blood pressure, cardiovascular
toxicity, and edema. Do not use
if you have congestive heart
failure, kidney disease,
diabetes, glaucoma,
hypertension, or edema. Do not
use during pregnancy, or if you
are taking the prescription
drug digoxin. There is a small
possibility that this herb,
when used in large doses, may
affect the body's electrolyte
balance.
What is
Glycyrrhizin?
Much
of the
liver-orientated
research has
focused on the
triterpene
glycyrrhizin. This
substance inhibits
hepatocyte injury
caused by carbon
tetrachloride,
benzene
hexachloride, and
polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs).
As an
antihepatotoxic,
licorice can be
effective in the
treatment of
chronic hepatitis
and cirrhosis, for
which it's been
widely used in
Japan, Glycyrrhizin
also enhances
antibody
production,
possibly through
the production of
interleukin. |
Excerpted
from
Healthy Bones & Joints by
David Hoffman
Copyright ©
2000
Used with
permission from Storey
Publishing, LLC (
www.storey.com)
More
from Healthy Bones &
Joints by David
Hoffman
TEAS
There are two
types of herbal teas, or
water-based extracts of herbs:
infusions and
decoctions.
There
are some basic rules for
choosing which method to use
with what herb, but, of course,
there are many
exceptions.
Infusions are
the method of choice for
non-woody material such as
flowers, leaves, and some
stems, where the active
ingredients are readily
accessible. The denser the
plant or individual cell walls,
the more energy is needed to
extract cell contents into the
tea; therefore, the more
heat-intense process of
decocting is used for herbs
that contain hard or woody
material such as bark, nuts, or
roots.
As with
anything in the real world, not
every herb falls neatly into
one of these categories. This
is especially true of roots
that are rich in volatile oil,
such as valerian root. The
woodiness of the root suggests
decocting, but if the roots are
simmered the therapeutically
important volatile oil would
boil off. Therefore, an
infusion is the preparation of
choice for valerian root. As
you can see, you must learn
about the herb you intend to
use in order to make the most
appropriate
preparation.
How to Make
an Infusion
If you know
how to make tea, you know how
to make an infusion. Infusions
are best for non-woody parts of
the plant such as leaves,
flowers, or green stems. If
you're making an infusion of
bark, root, resin, or seeds, it
is best to powder them first to
break down some of the cell
walls, making them more
accessible to water. If you're
working with seeds, such as
aniseed and fennel, bruise them
slightly with a mortar and
pestle before infusing to
release the volatile oils from
the cells. Infuse any aromatic
herb, such as chamomile and
peppermint, in a well-sealed
pot to ensure that only a
minimum of the volatile oil is
lost through
evaporation.
An infusion
is the simplest method of
utilizing both fresh and dried
herbs. Fresh herbs have more
water content than dried; when
working with fresh herbs,
substitute three parts fresh
for one part dried. For
instance, if the recipe calls
for 1 teaspoon of dried herb,
substitute 3 teaspoons of fresh
herb.
To make an
infusion:
Step
1. Warm a
china or glass teapot by
swishing hot water through it.
Place about 1 teaspoon of the
dried herb for each cup of tea
into the warmed pot.
Step
2. Pour in
1 cup of boiling water for each
teaspoon of herb and cover with
the lid. Steep for 10 to 15
minutes.
It's usually
best to drink medicinal herbal
teas
hot,
but you can drink
infusions cold as well. Make a
cold infusion if you are
working with mucilage-rich
herbs, such as marsh mallow,
which are sensitive to heat.
For a cold infusion, the
proportion of herb to water is
the same, but let the infusion
steep for 6 to 12 hours in a
well-sealed pot of cool water.
When a hot or cold infusion is
ready, strain and sweeten to
taste if desired with a bit of
honey, brown sugar, or a pinch
of a pleasant-tasting herb such
as licorice or
stevia.
If you prefer
not to deal with the messiness
of loose leaves, make your own
teabags by filling little
muslin bags with herbal
mixtures (take care to remember
how many teaspoons of herb you
put into each bag). As with
ordinary teabags, pour boiling
water over the bag and allow
the herbs to steep for 10 to 15
minutes.
Make larger
quantities of infusion in the
proportion of 1 ounce of herb
to 1 pint of water. Whenever
possible, infusions should be
prepared fresh, but if you do
have any leftovers store them
in glass containers in the
refrigerator. The shelf life of
infusions is not very long; any
microorganism that enters the
infusion will multiply and
thrive in it. If you see any
sign of fermentation or
spoilage, discard the infusion.
These telltale signs can vary,
depending on the materials
used. Generally, look for color
or odor changes, clouding,
condensation, and molding; all
of these changes indicate
spoilage.
THE BEST
HERBS FOR
INFUSIONS
Herbal
infusions make
an exquisite
addition to our
lifestyles and
can open a
whole world of
subtle delights
and pleasures.
They are not
only medicines
or
"alternatives"
to coffee, but
can be
delicious
beverages in
their own
right. Everyone
will have his
or her favorite
herbs; here are
some of my
favorites. Use
them
individually or
in combination.
Choose herbs
based on both
taste and
medicinal
properties.
Flowers:
chamomile,
elder flower,
hibiscus,
linden blossom,
red
clover
Leaves:
lemon
balm, lemon
verbena,
peppermint,
rosemary,
spearmint
Berries:
hawthorn,
rose
hips
Seeds:
aniseed,
caraway, celery
seed, dill,
fennel
Roots:
licorice
|
Excerpted
from
Healthy Bones & Joints by
David Hoffman
Copyright ©
2000
Used
with permission from
Storey Publishing,
LLC
(
www.storey.com)
|
|
Healthy
Bones &
Joints
A Natural
Approach to Treating
Arthritis, Osteoporosis,
Tendinitis, Myalgia &
Bursitis
Strengthen Your
Bones and Joints
Naturally!
If
you're one of the million who
suffer from arthritis, rheumatism,
osteoporosis, and other diseases of
the bones, connective tissue,
muscles, and joints, you know how
important a healthy musculoskeletal
system is to your well- being. In
this easy-reference guide, noted
herbal clinician David Hoffmann
shows you how to use easy herbal
remedies and simple lifestyle
changes to prevent and fight bone
and joint diseases.
|
Healthy Bones and Joints
provides:
* Clear
explanations of how herbs such as meadowsweet,
mustard, and bay tree can be used in daily
regimens to help prevent bone and joint
diseases.
* A thorough
overview of common musculoskeletal conditions,
from arthritis to osteoporosis-with discussion
of a wide variety of preventive strategies and
healing herbal formulas for each
ailment.
* An A-to-Z
directory of the herbs that are most helpful
for the musculoskeletal system-along with
preparation instructions and dosage
guidelines.
Discover how
nature's own medicine chest can help you enjoy
a healthier life, increased vitality, and
stronger bones and joints!
From the
Publisher
From a clinician
with 22 years experience and a fellow of
Britain's National Institute of Medical
Herbalists, come four new guides to total
herbal health. Each volume is a thorough
exploration and study of the uses of herbs as
preventatives and treatment. The series
includes Healthy Heart, Healthy Bones &
Joints, Easy Breathing, and Healthy
Digestion.
Thank you Storey
Publishing.
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