Licorice’s name is from the Greek word meaning, ‘sweet’. It’s tart sweetness is long lasting. It can be up to 50 times sweeter than sugar without affecting insulin!
Licorice root is the most used herbs in Chinese medicine! (4) It has documented uses back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. (5)
It’s been used in Chinese medicine as a “guide herb” to enhance their effects and essentially guide the other herbs to where they would be most beneficial. In 2013, this use was observed and reviewed by the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (3)
It’s been used for medicinal purposes including indigestion and stomach inflammation [42], cough suppression, ulcer treatment, and use as a laxative. In an Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research study, the leaves tested well against bacteria and thus may work as a staph and candida cure. (8)
It also helps: as an antiviral, antimicrobial, blood pressure, leaky gut, autoimmune issues like hepatitis, hyperlipidemia (high blood fat), inflammation-induced skin hyper pigmentation, and might help prevent neurodegenerative disorders and dental caries, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic & anti-tumor.
There are at least four main types of compounds found in licorice root: flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenoids and stilbenoids. (9)
Flavonoids: rich antioxidants & anti-inflammatory
An example is the Flavonoid glabradin which is anti-inflammatory, has effects metabolism and functions as a phytoestrogen — which creates a positive effect on women’s health. (11)
It can be rubbed on gums to help stop tooth bacteria and canker sores
3) LIVER | HEART | CHOLESTEROL
It increases bile flow and lowers cholesterol levels.
Bile acids account for the elimination of excessive cholesterol.
Licorice root’s antioxidant action may enhance capillary health & hinder arterial plaque.
4) ADRENAL FATIGUE
It helps us regulate cortisol (the stress hormone) more efficiently so the adrenal glands don’t wear out.
5) IMMUNITY
It even helps by stoping the growth of bacteria & viruses like Hepatitis C, HIV and flu. The triterpenoid content has been confirmed as an anti-viral. It even raises interferon, a key to fighting off viruses. It’s anti-allergenic effect is useful for hay fever, allergies and asthma.
It can help herpes and shingles if ingested or applied to the skin. Several studies show the antiviral action may suppress the return and progression of cold sores due to the herpes virus.
6) COUGH | THROAT | RESPIRATION
It helps loosen and expel mucus and bring relief to a sore throat. It also helps relax bronchial spasms while helping to fight off the viruses that cause respiratory illnesses and infections.
7) PMS / MENOPAUSE
It has an estrogen-like effect (phyto-estrogen) in women which helps with PMS, fertility & hot flashes.
8) PAIN RELIEF | SKIN
It has aspirin-like action and helps relieve fevers & soothes pain. It helps abdominal and other muscle cramping and soothes eczema and other skin pain.
It helps people with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia pain because it lowers cortisol stress levels.
Applied to the skin in a poultice, it helps rashes and pain due to its anti-inflammatory nature.
9) DEPRESSION
Licorice root contains many anti-depressant compounds. It might be one of the most over-looked of all herbal wonders.
It encourages adrenal gland function.
It has Asparagine amino acid that is needed to preserve equilibrium in the body’s nervous system.
Buckthorn bark is peeled off plants and dried for 1-2 years before being used as a mild (but highly effective) laxative. The longer the bark is dried, the milder its actions. Buckthorn Bark was listed in both the United States Pharmacopoeia & British Pharmacopoeia. Some great components in Buckthorn Bark include
crystalline glucoside (frangulin),
anthraquinones like: emodin, Aloe-emodin, rhamnicoside, frangula-emodin, alaterin, chrysophanol, & rein
3 Reasons You’ll want to get Buckthorn Bark in Your Body Every Night!
1) constipation | hemorrhoids | fissures
Buckthorn Bark contains rhamnus frangula which increases the colon’s ability to spontaneously contract to push the fecal matter through your colon instead of remaining stationary and becoming impacted. As your colon contracts more regularly, more frequent movements are produced. 3
Buckthorn Bark makes stools softer and gives them more volume to pass easily. 5
Buckthorn Bark affects the intestinal nerves to relieve constipation and ease evacuation of the bowels. It helps to relieve pain and pressure, especially for people who have hemorrhoids, anal fissures or have had rectal-anal surgery. 2
The tannins in Buckthorn Bark allows hemorrhoids and anal fissures to heal more quickly because the softer stools pass more easily, without irritation.
Buckthorn bark is used to cleanse the colon in prep for gastrointestinal procedures. 3
Buckthorn Bark is effective in cases of chronic constipation and atonic constipation, which is caused by inadequate intake of fluids, poor diet or overuse of purgatives that result in loss of natural reflexes. 4
Buckthorn Bark is also used to ease abdominal bloating.
2) blood purification
Buckthorn Bark has been used as a ‘blood purifier’ and diuretic.
3) liver | gallstones
Buckthorn Bark stimulates the production of bile secretions, which promote healthy gallbladder and liver functions, helping with problems like cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis and gallstones.
