What are the top 15 functions and benefits of licorice?
Antitussive effect
Licorice extract has been found to be effective in treating coughs in animal experiments.
Immunomodulatory
Cell and animal experiments have found that licorice root extract combined with zinc can help enhance immune regulation.
anti-inflammatory
Licorice extract contains anti-inflammatory activity.
prevent chronic fatigue
In animal experiments, giving licorice extract can improve chronic fatigue.
pain relief
In different pain-inducing modes, it was found that licorice extract could exert analgesic effect.
inhibit gastric Helicobacter pylori
Licorice leaf extract was found to prevent the spread of Helicobacter pylori in cell experiments.
hepatoprotective activity
The intervention of licorice root extract in different animal models contributes to the protection of acute liver injury.
memory enhancement
Licorice root extract strengthens memory in experimental animals.
Antiepileptic
Licorice leaf extract has the ability to reduce the maximum electrical stimulation effect and speculate that it may have antiepileptic effects.
Anti-stress
Licorice extract effectively enhances the stress resistance of the Drosophila model.
Antioxidant activity
In vitro experiments found that licorice extract has the ability to scavenge free radicals.
antihyperglycemic activity
The hypoglycemic effect of 100 mg of 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid per kilogram of body weight is the same as that of the clinical hypoglycemic drug Glibenclamide.
antitumor effect
Licorice extract effectively inhibited tumor growth in animal models, but blocked the effect of the anticancer drug cisplatin.
Antihyperlipidemic activity
Licorice extract can inhibit the increase of low-density lipoprotein LDL and very low-density lipoprotein VLDL under high-fat diet.
antimicrobial effect
In vitro experiments have confirmed that licorice extract can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa P. aerogenosa and Staphylococcus aureus S. aureus....
Where is licorice commonly used?
Cough and phlegm
Licorice can stimulate the secretion of the tracheal mucosa and thus has the effect of relieving pain and reducing phlegm. Many compounds in licorice can increase the production of immunoglobulin E and interferon gamma in the body, so it can enhance the overall immunity.
regulate blood sugar
Chalcone and amorfrutin in licorice extract can regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and can also regulate adipocyte differentiation. Licochalcone E isolated from licorice is helpful for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes.
regulate body fat
Glabridin in licorice extract can reduce the activity of enzymes in the fat synthesis process and reduce the total amount of adipose tissue; flavonoid oil can promote fatty acid oxidation and reduce fat accumulation. Clinical part of the administration of a single dose of 600 mg flavonoid oil can increase energy expenditure.
antibacterial effect
Secondary metabolites of licorice contain antibacterial activity. Licorice extract can inhibit UA159 Streptococcus mutans and reduce bio-film synthesis to achieve antibacterial effect. In addition, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid in licorice can strengthen the effect of antibiotics, so it is effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
regulate blood fat
Licorice ingestion can reduce the production of cholesterol and accelerate the metabolism of cholesterol by regulating the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes to achieve the effect of lowering blood lipids. In clinical trials, it was found that taking 900 mg of flavonoid oil for 8 consecutive weeks can effectively reduce the value of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c). Another one-year experiment found that daily intake of 0.2 grams of ethanol extract of licorice has a positive effect on plasma lipoproteins and may prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Gastrointestinal Health
The ingredients in licorice have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and are thought to possibly improve the effects of peptic ulcers. Licorice extract can also increase the secretion of mucous membrane in the digestive tract, so it has the effect of improving peptic ulcer. Licorice root extract polysaccharides inhibit the ability of gastric Helicobacter pylori to attach to the gastric mucosa. The intake of licorice can stimulate the secretion of incretin in the body and protect gastric mucosal cells.
Antioxidant activity
Licorice extract contains powerful antioxidant activity which can effectively scavenge free radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation. In addition, some studies have used licorice extract compared with vitamin E, and its antioxidant activity is even higher than vitamin E. The intake of licorice can also increase the production of the antioxidant enzyme SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) in the body.
Liver protection activity
Glycyrrhizin and 18β-glycyrhetic acid components in licorice extract can inhibit the production of free radicals and reduce lipid peroxidation to protect the liver. Glycyrrhizin has the ability to inhibit the replication of hepatitis C.
Antitumor
Glycyrrhizic acid in licorice can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. In addition, licorice has been observed in cell experiments to stimulate apoptosis in cancer cells.