Licorice the Guiding Herb
Licorice Guides Herbal Formulas
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a potent adaptogen on its own, enhancing resistance and recovery from stress responses. It’s highly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. However, licorice is most famous for its ability to guide a complex herbal formula to success. Thanks to this quality, licorice appears in over 60% of all Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas. TCM almost never prescribes one herb alone to treat a health condition. Instead, TCM herbalists craft formulas of multiple herbs, each with a distinct role. “Monarch” herbs are herbs that exert the primary effect of the remedy. “Assistant” herbs support the effect of the monarch herb. “Minister” herbs synergize with the monarch herb to maximize its effect. “Guide” herbs, such as licorice, enhance the effects of all the herbs in a formula, prevent or decrease toxicity, and improve the remedy’s taste.
A Sweet Guide
Licorice is a supreme guide herb that moderates the effects of the other herbs in a prescription. It has a detoxifying quality that can prevent adverse effects. Often, only a small amount of licorice is needed. Licorice’s unpeeled, dried rhizome contains its medicine. The rhizome contains licorice’s active compound, glycyrrhizin, a glycoside. Glycyrrhizin is fifty times sweeter than sugar, which would certainly make even the most bitter medicine easier to swallow. However, the sweetness of licorice is different from that of sugar; it is more gradual, tart, and lasts longer. In Greek, glykyrrhiza translates to “sweet root.”
Mechanisms of Licorice as a Guide
Licorice’s guide effect is only partially understood. It appears that when it interacts with other herbs in a co-decoction (a tea blend), it changes how all the herbs are metabolized. Licorice alters enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP) and modulates drug transporter proteins such as intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp). CYP are proteins that metabolize organic compounds and xenobiotics in mammals. They are found in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. P-gp is a membrane protein that helps protect the body from harmful substances by removing drugs from the intestines. It regulates the bioavailability of an ingested substance. It’s also involved in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and removing drugs from the kidneys and liver. This explains licorice’s ability to prevent poisoning and adverse reactions to medicine. Licorice truly guides the body’s metabolism of herbs on a deep, crucial level.
NutraTea Tea Blends with Licorice
NutraTea herbalists include licorice in nine healing tea blends. Licorice enhances the herbs in all these formulas while contributing its own healing effects and delicious taste.
NutraLiver is a tea blend that helps restore the body’s natural balance of fluids and nutrients and normalizes energy levels. Licorice’s anti-inflammatory effect helps treat liver conditions like fibrosis. NutraCleanse is a purifying tea blend that helps eliminate toxins that impair digestive function. It encourages bowel movement and waste excretion while regulating healthy digestive enzymes in the gut. NutraRelax is a soothing tea blend that relaxes nerves and muscles and relieves tension, agitation, mood swings, headaches, and insomnia. Licorice helps regulate cortisol and adrenaline, bringing the stress hormones into balance. NutraDefence supports immunity and respiratory health, assisted by licorice’s ability to activate immune cells. NutraThyroid is a blend that regulates thyroid activity, promotes optimal gland function and hormone regulation, and eases uncomfortable symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. Licorice prevents oxidative damage to the thyroid gland by reducing inflammation. Also, by regulating cortisol, it supports normal secretion of TSH.
NutraBoost helps sustain physical and emotional endurance. Also, it improves concentration and alertness and helps maintain energy levels throughout the day. NutraBone is a sturdy tea blend that improves joint mobility and promotes overall bone health and the body’s natural flexibility, all while reducing pain and swelling, and easing discomfort. Licorice’s compound glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent and alleviate symptoms of arthritis. NutraReflux helps maintain digestive health, thanks in part to the way Licorice helps resolve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). NutraThroat supports the health of the throat and upper respiratory tract, helped by licorice’s antimicrobial properties. Licorice’s expectorant, demulcent qualities make it a common ingredient in cough drops. This is actually its most common traditional use in European herbal medicine.