American Licorice(Glycyrrhiza lepidota)
Used the same as European licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Other Names:
Wild licorice, licorice-root, dessert root, liquorice
Range:
Family:
Fabaceae - Pea or Leguma Family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Height:
Can grow to 3 feet tall.
Leaves:
The pinnate leaves are approximately 3–6 inches long and they are arranged alternately along the stem. Each contains 9–17 leaflets which are arranged opposite along the petiole.
Stem/Trunk:
Smooth and branched
Root:
Stoloniferous Rhizome
Flower Season:
June to August
Flower Appearance:
The yellowish-white flowers are borne on short stalks and crowded on terminal spikes. They are shaped similar to alfalfa flowers.
Seed/Fruit:
The brown, leathery, seed pods are approximately 1 inch long and covered with many stout, hooked, brown spines which form a burr.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Used the same as European licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra
Habitat:
Well drained soils with full sun.
Parts Used:
Root
Culinary Uses:
Many confections and flavorings are made from licorice.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Sweet
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Moistening
Medicinal Uses:
Adrenal Insufficiency, Allergies, Arthritis, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Cough, Duodenal Ulcers, Dyspepsia, Gastric Ulcers, Inflammation, Pharyngitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Tuberclulosis.
Cautions According To WebMD
Possible Side Effects:
Licorice is likely safe for most people when eaten in typical food amounts. Licorice that has had the chemical glycyrrhizin removed is possibly safe when taken in doses up to 4.5 grams daily for up to 4 months.
Licorice that contains glycyrrhizin is possibly unsafe when consumed in large amounts or for a long time. Eating licorice 5 grams or more daily for several weeks can cause severe side effects including heart attack. People who have heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure are more sensitive to it. Ingesting large amounts of licorice from candy, lozenges, or tea might also cause serious side effects.
When applied to the skin: Applying gel with licorice root extract 2% is possibly safe for up to 2 weeks. It is possibly safe to use a licorice mouth rinse for up to one week.
Possible Interactions:
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with LICORICE
Large amounts of licorice can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the side effects of digoxin.
Estrogens interacts with LICORICE
Licorice seems to change hormone levels in the body. Taking licorice along with estrogen might decrease the effects of estrogen.
Water pills (Loop diuretics) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice can decrease potassium levels. Loop diuretics can also decrease potassium levels. Taking licorice and loop diuretics together might make potassium levels drop too low.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) substrates) interacts with LICORICE
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with LICORICE
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with LICORICE
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice might increase blood pressure. Taking licorice might reduce the effects of blood pressure medications. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice can decrease how quickly the body breaks down corticosteroids. This can increase the effects and side effects of corticosteroids.
Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with LICORICE
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Licorice might decrease the effects of warfarin. Decreasing the effects of warfarin might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice can decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking licorice along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.
Cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) interacts with LICORICE
Cisplatin is used to treat cancer. Licorice might decrease how well cisplatin works.
Midazolam (Versed) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice might increase how quickly midazolam is broken down by the body. This might decrease the effects of midazolam.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with LICORICE
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) substrates) interacts with LICORICE
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Paclitaxel (Abraxane, Onxol) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice might increase how quickly the body breaks down paclitaxel. Taking licorice with paclitaxel might decrease the effects of paclitaxel.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-glycoprotein substrates) interacts with LICORICE
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Licorice might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
Methotrexate (Trexall, others) interacts with LICORICE
Licorice might decrease how quickly the body breaks down methotrexate. This might increase the effects and side effects of methotrexate.
Medicinal Actions:
Anti-Inflammatory,
Demulcent,
Expectorant
Herbal Preparations For Plant
Decoction
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Dried
Place 1 ounce of dried chopped root into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, strain and drink.
Dosage: 1-3 oz up to three times daily as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 600 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 150 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 3-60 drops up to three times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 3-60 drops up to three times daily
