Hi Faith,
yes that's true, licorice may be an hypertensive in effect.
I was talking about my using it to brush my teeth. The juices from the
stick flow, and are good for gums and healing, as well as being a good
brush, when the ends are soaked and become flayed. Other good sticks also
do, like neem or even birch.
As a kind of sweet or condiment it's a taste that people seem to enjoy (not
all though) and yet not over-indulge in - more a periodic thing. It's not
something that you easily overindulge in - non-addictive.
Licorice as a potential hypertensive is noted mainly because it's a healing
herb, not because it's so potent, and also because its been studied and
listed on the FDA list and elsewhere.
THe warning is applicable to those with acute conditions of high blood
pressure I think, who use the extract long-term and medicinally.
SOme interesting info follows:
Glycyrrhiza glabra (L)
Synonyms: Liquirita officinalis (L.), reglisse, lacrisse, sweet licorice,
licorice root, sweet wood.
Order: Leguminosae
Description: Glycyrrhiza is a tall, erect perennial plant with light,
gracefully-spreading pinnate foliage and dark green lanceolate leaflets
that hang down at night. Long-stemmed spikes of numerous bluish-purple to
white papillonaceous flowers grow from the leaf axils and appear from June
to August, followed by small leguminous smooth-skinned seed pods. The roots
are brown, long and cylindrical. Glycyrrhiza is native to south-eastern
Europe and south-west Asia to Iran, growing in open fields close to running
water. It was commercially cultivated until recently in northern England.
Parts used: dried roots and stolons
Collection: The roots are unearthed in the autumn of the fourth season
Constituents: glycosides called glycyrrhizin (about 7%) and glycyrrhizinic
acid, triterpenoid glycosides (saponins), flavonoids (including
liquiritigetol) and isoflavonoids, bitter principle (glycyrmarin), volatile
oil, chalcones, coumarins, amino acids, amines (choline, betaine,
asparagine), oestrogenic substances (including beta-sitosterol), glucose
and sucrose (5-15% sugars), starch, tannins (trace), gums, wax.
Actions: expectorant, antitussive, demulcent, spasmolytic,
anti-inflammatory, adrenocorticotrophic (stimulates the cortex of the
adrenal gland), anti-allergic, mild laxative
Indications: bronchial catarrh, bronchitis, chronic gastritis, peptic
ulcer, colic, primary adrenocortical insufficiency. Specifically indicated
in Addison's disease.
Therapeutics and Pharmacology: Glycyrrhiza has a marked effect upon the
endocrine system. Its glycosides are structurally similar to the natural
steroids of the body, and are responsible for the beneficial action that
this herb has in the treatment of adrenal gland problems such as Addison's
disease. Glycyrrhizin is fifty times stronger than sucrose, which
encourages the production of hormones such as hydrocortisone. This helps to
explain its anti-inflammatory action and also its role in stimulating the
adrenal cortex after steroid therapy. It has an ACTH-like action on the
adrenal cortex, increasing the production of gluco- and mineralocorticoids.
It is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a
similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It produces a highly
viscous mucus over the stomach wall and reduces gastric acid secretion and
eases spasms of the large intestine. It increases the secretion of
bilirubin in the bile and lowers blood cholesterol levels.
Glycyrrhiza is widely used in bronchial problems such as catarrh,
bronchitis and coughs. It reduces irritation of the throat and yet has an
expectorant action. It produces its demulcent and expectorant effects by
stimulation of tracheal mucous secretion. It is a potent healing agent for
tuberculosis, where its effects have been compared to hydrocortisone.
Glycyrrhiza is also effective in helping to reduce fevers (glycyrretinic
acid has an effect like aspirin), and it may have an antibacterial action
as well. It can neutralise many toxins such as those of diphtheria and
tetanus. Its anti-inflammatory action accounts for its use in the treatment
of chronic inflammations such as arthritic and rheumatic diseases, chronic
skin conditions, and autoimmune diseases in general. It may also be used as
an eyebath in conjunctivitis and other inflammatory conditions of the eye
surface.
Glycyrrhiza has an antipyretic effect comparable to sodium salicylate.
Asparagine is a potent diuretic, leading to speculation that its presence
may reduce the chance of the whole plant increasing blood pressure compared
with isolated glycyrretinic acid.
The solidified extract, sold in sticks, forms the basis of many proprietary
laxatives, stimulating bile flow, with a gentle action in constipation.
Glycyrrhiza can be used as a non-sucrose sweetener, and can be taken safely
by diabetics.
Combinations: Glycyrrhiza may be combined with Linum, Lobelia and Capsicum,
or with Tussilago and Marrubium in bronchitis; with Symphytum, Chamaemelum,
Filipendula and Althaea root in peptic ulcer; and with Taraxacum herba in
Addison's disease.
Caution: Long-term usage at high doses may cause sodium retention, low
potassium levels and hypertension (although asparagine does act to counter
this tendency). Vertigo and headaches may also develop. Large doses over a
prolonged period may also result in hypokalaemia. Potassium intake should
be increased and a low salt diet should be recommended to minimise water
retention. Glycyrrhiza should not be taken by people on digoxin-based
drugs. It should also be avoided during pregnancy and in cirrhosis of the
liver.
Preparation and Dosage: (thrice daily)
Regulatory status GSL
Powdered root: 1-4g or by decoction
Liquid Extract: (BP 1973) 2-5ml
Additional Comments: Liquorice was one of the most widely known medicines
in ancient history, and records of its use include Assyrian tablets of
around 2000 BC and Chinese herbals of the same period. Theophrastos of
Lesbos, writing in the fourth century BC wrote that 'it has the property of
quenching thirst if one holds it in the mouth'. Dioscorides gave the plant
its botanical name (Greek glukos = sweet, riza = root). Its 13th century
English name was Lycorys, a corruption of glycyrrhiza. The plant originated
in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, but has been cultivated in Europe
since at least the 16th century. In China, G. uralensis or gan cao, known
as the 'great detoxifier', is thought to drive poisons from the system. It
is also an important tonic, often called 'the grandfather of herbs'. Gan
cao is used as an energy tonic, particularly for the spleen and stomach,
and the root is added to many Chinese formulae to balance other herbs. It
is also used for asthmatic coughs, as an antispasmodic and ulcer remedy,
and to cool 'hot' conditions. The dried root is given to Chinese children
to promote muscle growth. Liquorice is often used as a method for
disguising the taste of medicines and as a flavouring in confectionery.
Bibliography
BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth.
Bradley, P.R. (ed.) 1992 British Herbal Compendium, Volume 1, BHMA,
Bournemouth.
Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London.
Hoffmann, D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element,
Shaftesbury.
Lust, J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London.
Mabey, R. (ed.) 1991 The Complete New Herbal, Penguin, London.
Mills, S.Y. 1993 The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin, London
(First published in 1991 as Out of the Earth, Arkana)
Mills, S.Y. 1993 The A-Z of Modern Herbalism, Diamond Books, London.
Ody, P. 1993 The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal, Dorling
Kindersley, London.
Polunin, M. and Robbins, C. 1992 The Natural Pharmacy, Dorling Kindersley,
London.
Weiss, R.F. 1991 Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield Arcanum, Beaconsfield.
Wren, R.C. 1988 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and
Preparations, C.W.Daniel, Saffron Walden. %
--On 24 October 2007 11:51:59 -0400 faith gagne <[email protected]> wrote:
----- Original Message ----- From: "John Plumridge"
<[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: CS>Sodium Chlorite DOES have therapeutic uses
Yes baking soda is great. I stopped toothpaste and sugar (also in
biscuits) - except for unrefined jaggery or honey, and have no more
tooth problems. I did an experiment - no brushing teeth and no sugar,
and built up a lovely scum over two weeks, but my sensitive gums gave
me no problem. The toothpaste and nylon brush was not good for my gums.
I use toothpowder (ayurvedic) - monkey brand is my favourite because
it's black! I also brush with a licorice stick, which massages my gums
real nice, and they like it.
JOhn
.
Be careful to not consume licorice. It raises blood pressure. I was
warned about this repeatedly on a visit to a hypertension lab in one of
Boston's oldest and largest hospitals.
Faith
--
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