Licorice

Licorice – drug of a plant origin, is effective as antiinflammatory and an expectorant.

Pharmacological action

The licorice renders the expressed expectorant and spasmolytic, and also antiinflammatory and antimicrobic action (which is most expressed in relation to staphylococcus).

Roots and rhizomes of the Glycyrrhiza contain the following active agents: carbohydrates, organic acids, tannins, steroid connections, essential oils, glycyrrhizic acid which, working in a complex, stimulate functions of hemadens irritate mucous membranes of intestines and respiratory tracts, having the enveloping and easy laxative effect.

Broths and infusions of the Glycyrrhiza according to the instruction have also diuretic effect, stimulating work of bark of adrenal glands, especially at its lowered function.

Besides, as a result of use of the Glycyrrhiza:

• Production of slime in digestive tract increases (against the background of decrease in acidity of a stomach);
• Healing of stomach ulcers and 12-perstny gut accelerates;
• Nonspecific resistance of an organism increases.

Form of release of the Glycyrrhiza

The licorice is released in shape:

• The filter software packages of 1,5 g, on 10 or 20 pieces in packaging;
• Syrup, in bottles on 100 g and 125 g;
• The crushed raw materials (roots and rhizomes), on 50 g or 100 g in packaging.

Glycyrrhiza analogs on the mechanism of action are the drugs Mallow, Anis ordinary, the Labrador tea marsh, the Marjoram, Gedeliks, the Inula, Coltsfoot, Pectusin, the Thermopsis, the Thyme, Codelac broncho, Bronkho's Coldrex and some other.

Indications to use of the Glycyrrhiza

It is effective to use a licorice according to the instruction:

• At treatment of infectious diseases of upper respiratory tracts: bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis;
• At cough of the smoker;
• At treatment of gastritis, and also cankers of a 12-perstny gut and a mucous membrane of a stomach;
• At treatment of cystitis, pyelonephritis, a pyelitis;
• At hypofunction of bark of adrenal glands (together with other drugs).

According to reviews the Licorice can be applied together with other drugs at treatment of gout, eczema, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, dermatitis of various nature.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the Licorice in the form of broths and infusions are:

• Hypersensitivity of an organism to vegetable or to auxiliary components;
• Period of pregnancy and feeding;
• Functional disorders of a liver;
• Cirrhosis;
• Idiopathic hypertensia;
• Hypopotassemia (lack of potassium);
• Organic lesions of heart, including a pericardis and myocarditis;
• Renal failure.

Contraindications to the Licorice in the form of syrup are also gastritis and a peptic ulcer of a stomach and a 12-perstny gut in an aggravation stage.

Glycyrrhiza route of administration

Vegetable raw materials of the Glycyrrhiza in the form of broth or infusion are recommended to be accepted in a warm look.

For adults broth is appointed on one-two tablespoons for half an hour to food by three-four times a day; infusion – on 1/3 glasses for half an hour to food three times a day.

To children appoint broth depending on age – from one tea to one tablespoon for half an hour to food to four times a day; infusion – from one dessert to two tablespoons for half an hour to food three times a day.

From the crushed raw materials broth is prepared as follows: add a glass (200 ml) of boiled water to one tablespoon (10 g) of the Glycyrrhiza and maintain on the water bath within thirty minutes. Then broth is cooled to room temperature and filtered through a gauze. The filtered broth is added boiled water to 200 ml.

For preparation of infusion from the filter packages three packages of the Glycyrrhiza fill in with a glass of boiled water (200 ml), cover and insist twenty minutes.

Use of the Glycyrrhiza in the form of broth or infusion from vegetable raw materials effectively lasting two-three weeks.

Syrup of a root of the Glycyrrhiza is accepted inside, duration up to ten days.

Reception on 1 dessertspoon divorced in 1/2 glasses of water three times a day is recommended to adults.

To children Glycyrrhiza syrup is appointed, as a rule:

• Up to 2 years – on 1-2 drop several times a day;
• 2-12 years – on 1/2 teaspoons divorced in 1/4 glasses of water, three times a day;
• 12 years are more senior – increase a dosage twice.

Side effects of the Glycyrrhiza

At prolonged use of the Glycyrrhiza according to reviews can be observed:

• Puffinesses of fabrics which are caused by disturbance of water-salt balance;
• Increase in arterial pressure;
• Decrease in potassium concentration in an organism (hypopotassemia);
• Disturbances from a reproductive system.

In certain cases (with sensitivity) the Licorice according to reviews can cause allergic reactions.

Storage conditions

Drugs from the Glycyrrhiza according to the instruction are recommended to be stored in the dark, dry place unavailable to children. A period of validity – 24-36 months (depending on a dosage form), ready broth – no more than 24 hours (on condition of storage in the refrigerator).