Over the last number of years, it appears more and more people are leaving pharmaceuticals on the shelves or behind the counter, and turning to more natural and less potentially harmful methods of healing. Specifically, people are turning to herbs. And the general consensus appears to be, not only are herbal counterparts less toxic, but when it comes to addressing important health concerns, they really work. Which is why, in just one year German physicians wrote 5.4 million prescriptions for ginkgo, an herb that has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain. They also wrote 2 million prescriptions for Echinacea, an immune-boosting herb that's often used for treating colds and flu. [Source: University of Maryland Medical Center]

Herb Research Spotlight:  Licorice - Sweeter than ever!

Licorice root is a perfect example of an herb that works as well or even better than chemical counterparts for treating variety of woman's hormonal problems. Human studies have found that licorice supplements may act as a "phytoestrogen" in the body, meaning licorice may have effects like that of estrogen. It was found that licorice decreased symptoms of PMS and menopause, including mild depression*.

Licorice root is often used to prevent and treat stomach ulcers. Animal studies and early trials in humans support the value of licorice for stomach ulcers. One animal study recently found that aspirin coated with licorice reduced the number of ulcers in rats by 50%. (High doses of aspirin often cause ulcers in rats). Earlier studies in humans have found that preparations containing glycyrrhizin (an active compound in licorice) may be as effective as leading anti-ulcer medications in relieving pain associated with stomach ulcers and preventing the ulcers from recurring. In one study, licorice root fluid extract was used to treat 100 patients with stomach ulcers (of which 86 had not improved from conventional medication) for 6 weeks. Ninety percent of patients improved; ulcers totally disappeared in 22 of these patients*.

Emerging studies are beginning to suggest that licorice may also play a role in the treatment of heart disease. In one recent study, people with high cholesterol experienced a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglyceride levels after taking licorice root extracts for 1 month.

The extract also reduced systolic blood pressure by 10%, although licorice may increase blood pressure in some individuals. These measures returned to their previous, elevated levels when the participants stopped taking the licorice supplements. Earlier studies in mice produced similar results. Licorice root extract reduced the risk of atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries") in these animals*.

A recent human study found that a preparation of licorice may reduce body fat. Fifteen normal-weight subjects consumed licorice for 2 months (3.5 g a day). Body fat mass was measured before and after treatment. Licorice was able to reduce body fat mass and to suppress the hormone aldosterone*.

Another study found that a topical preparation of glycyrrhetinic acid (a component of licorice) was able to reduce the thickness of fat on the thigh in human subjects.

Recent laboratory studies found that licorice may also improve memory and cognition*.

[*source on licorice research: University of Maryland Medical Center]

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Contraindications and Potential Drug Interactions information provided on this website is not intended to be all-inclusive. A health care professional should be consulted regarding the use of herbal products. Always keep your Doctor or other healthcare professional informed about the herbal and other dietary supplement products that you are taking.