Licorice

Medicinal Uses:
Internally for Addison's disease, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, peptic ulcer, arthritis, allergic complaints, and following steriod therapy. Not given to pregnant women or patients with anemia, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or taking digoxin-based medication. Excess causes water retention and high blood pressure. Externally for shingles, eczema, and herpes. For use by qualified practitioners only.
To treat stomach ulcers, bronchitis, sore throat, dry cough, arthritis, bacterial and viral infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, and constipation.
Licorice has appetite-stimulating, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, and tonic properties. It aids digestion, detoxifies the blood, raises energy, regulates blood sugar levels, relieves fatigue, and strengthens the kidneys and spleen. Licorice is taken internally for Addison's disease (a disease of the adrenal cortex characterized by exhaustion, low blood pressure and weight loss), anorexia, asthma, bladder ailments, bronchitis, congestion, constipation, coughs, debilitation, exhaustion, high blood cholesterol, liver disease, rheumatism, stomach ailments, ulcers, and weight loss. It is applied externally, often in powdered form, to treat eczema, herpes, shingles, and other skin ailments. Licorice is also widely used as a flavoring in candies, cough drops, cough syrups, and other medications, and in culinary dishes.

Preparation:
Licorice is available as dried rootstock and in capsules, teas, and syrups. To make a decoction, boil 1 teaspoon of dried rootstock in 1 cup of water for 15 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 2 cups a day.

Typical Dose:
A typical dose of licorice may range from 1 to 4 gm of powdered root, taken three times daily.

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