Licorice / Gan Cao
Licorice / Gan Cao
Great for abdominal discomfort, Licorice is ideal for treating menstrual cramping, and has been shown to relieve digestive discomfort and regulate bowels.
Helps with:
Cramps
Diarrhea
Bloating
Bloating
How it Heals
In Chinese Medicine, Licorice replenishes qi, tonifies the spleen, clears heat, and eliminates toxins. It moderates and harmonizes other herbs, making it a great addition to any herbal tea.
In Western medicine, Licorice is shown to correct irregular heart rhythm, prevent ulcers, reduce cough, and ease asthma. It has antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Fun Fact: Licorice was favoured among the Ancient Egyptians. It was used in beverages, as a medicine, and was even found in King Tutankhamen’s tomb.
What the research says
In a study conducted on mouse uterine contractions,
licorice reduced uterine spasms by inhibiting calcium
influx.
Licorice has a flavonoid, isoliquiritigenin, that has a
spasmolytic effect on uterine contraction.
Licorice has a uterine relaxant effect by inhibiting the
phosphorylation of HSP27, which plays a key role in
regulating uterine contraction.
The main active component in Licorice, glycyrrhizin,
produced anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced
mouse endometrial epithelial cells by suppressing LPS
-induced inflammatory mediator production.
