Liquorice Root - Tincture , Herbal Tea or Powder

• Tincture - 5ml in water or juice 2-3 times a day. Start slowly at 2-3 ml. A tincture is quick and easy to take and can be used therapeutically. Maintenance dose: 10 drops in water twice a day.
• Herbal Tea - Tea from the cut/ dried root: 1tsp per cup of boiling water. Infuse, strain and drink 2-3 times per day. This is a pleasant drink that is easy to make. Maintenance dose: ½tsp per cup, once a day.
• Powder - For a stronger formula, add 2tsp to a pan and simmer for 15 mins. Strain and drink 1 cup 2-3 times a day. Dried powder 1 teaspoon can be added to food and taken around mealtimes. Maintenance dose: 1/4 tsp of powder daily.

Liquorice Root can provide many health benefits and multiple studies have shown that it can help prevent and treat ulcers. It does this by increasing mucus production in the stomach, soothing the stomach lining. Liquorice also increases the blood supply to the stomach, which promotes healing.

Glycyrrhizin, the most active chemical compound found in liquorice, has been studied for its medicinal properties. This powerful phytochemical has been proven to reduce body fat, heal stomach ulcers and fight infections.

Liquorice may also prevent ulcers from forming in the first place by suppressing gastrin production in the body. Gastrin is a hormone that stimulates gastric acid production, which can lead to ulcer formation.

Liquorice Root is often used as a sweetener in beverages, sweets, and medicine. It is 50 times sweeter than sugar but provides health benefits that sugar does not. Liquorice Root contains over 300 chemical compounds and flavonoids.

Long-term use of Liquorice can push up the blood pressure and lower potassium levels. Use for 10-14 days at a therapeutic dose, before lowering. Contraindicated with certain medicines: Corticosteroids (may potentiate their effects) Diuretics (risk of enhanced potassium loss) Antihypertensives (may reduce effectiveness) Digoxin (risk of toxicity due to low potassium).