Atimadhuram

• Botanical Name(s): Glycyrrhiza Glabra

• Popular Name(s): Licorice, Yashtimadhu, Mulathi, Liquorice, Atimadhuram, Liquorice, Sweet Wood, Sweetwort

• Parts Used: The dried roots are used

• Habitat: It is a native of Mediterranean countries

Description: Licorice is a hardy herb or under shrub, usually of 2 m height. It is tall, erect and a perennial plant with light, gracefully-spreading pinnate foliage and dark green lanceolate leaflets that hang down at night and have violet to lavender color flower. The roots are brown, long and cylindrical.

Uses: Licorice is used internally for asthma, bronchitis, coughs, peptic ulcer, arthritis and allergic complaints and after steroid therapy. It is said to accelerate the healing of peptic ulcers. It is also used in Chinese medicine to revitalize the heart and for coughing and wheezing as well as detoxifying the body and digestive system.

Licorice gets its sweetness from glycyrrhizin, which is a saponin glycoside present in the roots. On an average 5 to 9 percent of the roots are made up of glycyrrhizin, which is fifty times sweeter than sugar. It is otherwise known as glycyrrhizic acid and is commercially available in a form known as ammoniated glycyrrhizin. The structure and physiological effects of glycyrrhizin are related to aldosterone or desoxycoticosterone. This is possibly why a condition which medical literature terms as pseudoaldostronosm is brought about in licorice by glycyrrhizin. This condition is similar to the one brought about by excessive secretion of aldosterone which is an adrenal cortex hormone. Excessive quantities of this in the human body can be disastrous. It can lead to high blood pressure and in some cases even heart failure and cardiac arrest. Other symptoms like headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention and excessive excretion of potassium are also seen.Its affinity for the endocrine system makes licorice a most remarkable herb, which when used judiciously can be very helpful in treating many human ailments. Licorice has an anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and antiarthritic effect similar to that of cortisone but without its side effects. This is because of glycyrrhizin which has a structure similar to hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Its antiallergic effect makes it very useful in treating allergic rhinitis, hay fever, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. Licorice has mild estrogenic properties and can be very helpful during menopause. It gets these properties from the steroid like compounds present in it which can change to estrogen precursors like estradiol and estrone. Licorice can act as a mild laxative and can also relieve indigestion and heartburn by lowering stomach acid levels.

The herb is popularly used to ease irritation and for inflammation and spasm in the digestive tract. Licorice is reputed to heal ulcers. The herb acts on the liver and helps increase bile flow and it also helps lower cholesterol levels. Licorice helps the body to built up resistance to stress by acting on the adrenal glands. It has a soothing and healing effect on the respiratory system and helps to ease irritation and inflammation. Because of its expectorant properties it is used in treating colds, coughs, asthma and chest infections. Like aspirin, licorice is useful in relieving headaches and fevers. The herb is handy for people coming off orthodox steroid medications as it has the effect of revitalizing or energizing the body. Anti-allergenic effect of licorice is very useful for hay fever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. Licorice is quite useful in bringing back the liveliness when one is feeling tired or fatigue especially after surgery or during convalescence. It is a good stress reliever- both physical and emotional.One can find licorice mentioned in ancient Chinese texts as well. A wonderful summarization of the uses of licorice found in an ancient Chinese text says that it will “improve the tone of the 'middle Jiao' [digestive system] and replenish qi, to remove 'heat' and toxic substance, to moisturize the lungs and arrest coughing, and to relieve spasms and pain.” Modern day uses for licorice remain more or less the same, although the terminology used might be different. Chinese researchers also agree with their ancient counterparts and vouch for the herbs effectiveness against cough and in treating sore throat. In Europe, medical practitioners use the herb to treat coughs, colds and other respiratory infections. They say glycyrrhizinic acid present in licorice stops the growth of many bacteria and of viruses like influenza A. It is also thought to stimulate the production of interferon.

Licorice is said to be extremely useful in the treatment of stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers heal quickly when there are high levels of prostaglandins in the stomach and the upper intestine. Licorice helps in bringing about higher levels of prostaglandins in the stomach and the upper intestine. This happens because licorice prevents the secretion of gastric acid and reduces the activity of pepsin. This in turn curbs the enzymes that dismantle prostaglandins. Studies done on rats also seem to corroborate this. Licorice protected the stomach tissue of rats from aspirin induced damage and it is surmised that its activity on the prostaglandin regulating enzymes must be the reason. A semisynthetic compound called carbenoxolone derived from licorice acts to protect the colon and is used to treat ulcerative colitis in China. This compound is also seen to protect against colon cancer but there are some serious side effects. To offset this researchers developed a deglycyrrhizinated licorice, DGL.Licorice was mainly used for medicinal purposes. Ancient records from Greece and other places show it was used in treatment of asthma, chest problems, and canker sores.

The herb’s healing and demulcent properties come in use to treat a number of ailments especially of the digestive system. Inflammation, gastritis, peptic ulceration, excessive acid problems and canker sores are all treated with the herb. Licorice is also found to be useful to ease certain chest complaints, arthritis, and inflammation of joints, skin and eyes. In cases where the adrenal glands do not function normally, licorice comes in very handy. It stimulates the adrenal glands and is very useful in conditions like Addison's disease where the adrenal glands cease to function normally. Licorice is a gentle laxative.

Other medical uses - Used extensively to treat a variety of ailments which include kidney cancer, tooth decay, toxic shock syndrome, addictions, Bell’s palsy, viral infection. In different countries of the world they are constantly finding new uses for the herb.