L
heart failure, headache, hyperprolactinemia, high blood pressure, hypokalemia, muscle weakness,
myoglobinuria, myopathy, and paralysis (Martindale’s 30th). As prolonged use/higher doses may
give mineralcorticoid adverse effects/interactions, the root should not be used for more than 4–6
weeks without consulting a physician (PH2; WAM). Use as flavoring in doses providing no more
than 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day is also allowed (AEH; KOM). Cantelli-Forti et al. (1994) note
that “serious side effects related to glycyrrhizin ingestion, including headaches, edema, body weight
increase, and disturbances in body-electrolyte balance were observed either after daily high LE
personal consumption or in clinical use.” “Continuous consumption of licorice root extract in daily
use as food or for therapeutic purposes is safer than the use of glycyrrhizin alone (or when the
latter is added to man-made products (chewing gums, drinks, drugs, sweets etc.)).” I would extend
that into a generality for whole herbal extracts rather than silver bullets: “Continuous consumption
of whole plants or plant extracts is safer than the use of their major active ingredient alone (or
purified and added to drugs).” CAN cautions that excessive ingestion can cause hyperaldosteronism.
Because of estrogenic activity and reputed abortifacient activity, its use in pregnancy and lactation
is to be avoided (CAN; WAM). “In India, licorice has been used as a sweetener, aphrodisiac,
emmenagogue, and galactagogue” (PED).
Extracts (Licorice) — Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits EBV activation by tumor promoters (CAN).
Isoflavonoids are antiseptic against bacteria, Candida, Mycobacterium, and Staphylococcus
(CAN); antiviral activity against Epstein-Barr, herpes, Newcastle, vaccinia, and vesicular
stomatosis virus with no activity toward polio (CAN). Isoliquiritigenin inhibits aldose reduc-
tase, the first enzyme in the polyol pathway wherein glucose is reduced to sorbitol. It inhibits
sorbitol accumulation in human red blood cells in vitro, and in red blood cells, the sciatic
nerve, and the lens of diabetic rats. Many diabetic complications (cataracts, nephropathy,
peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy) are associated with the polyol pathway and have shown
improvement with aldose reductase inhibitors (CAN). Glycyrrhizin reduces morbidity and
mortality of mice infected with lethal doses of flu virus (TAD). Glycyrrhizin inhibits inflam-
mation and prostaglandin synthesis. Glycyrrhizin blocks estrogen effects binding to estrogen
receptors, hence the antiestrogenic activities reported; estrogenic activity has also been attrib-
uted to the isoflavones, but these too may bind to estrogen receptors (CAN; JAD). Maybe this
is one of those amphoteric herbs. “Liquorice exhibits an alternative action on estrogen metab-
olism, causing inhibition if oestrogen concentrations are high and potentiation when concen-
trations are low” (CAN). I’ve heard the same things about clover phytoestrogenic isoflavones,
some of which are shared with licorice. ( = ) Oral DGGL (380 mg, 3 ×/day) equaled antacids
or cimetidine in 169 patients with chronic duodenal ulcers. ( = ) Oral dose of glycyrrhetinic
acid (GA) as antitussive orally as codeine (MAB). Glycyrrhizin not only has its own antiar-
thritic, antiedemic, and antiinflammatory activities, it potentiates the antiarthritic activities of
hydrocortisone, at least in rats (MPI). Licorice seems also to potentiate prednisolone in five
patients with pemphigus and kept free of bullae with prednisolone. Licorice seems to potentiate
by inhibiting metabolic degradations of prednisolone (MPI). In a clinical study of allergic
conjunctivosis, drops of glycyrrhetinic acid were helpful (MPI). ( = ) GA was comparable to
sodium salicylate as an antipyretic (MPI). ( = ) Oral dose of GA as antitussive orally as codeine
(LEG). GA inhibits growth of the ulcer bacteria, Helicobacter pylori (TAD). Glycyrrhizin was
orally antidiuretic in rabbits and rats, but crude licorice, even at 20 g per human volunteer,
showed no significant antidiuretic effect (MPI).LIFE-ROOT, SQUAW WEED (Senecio aureus L.) XXXGolden Ragwort in PH2.
Activities (Life-Root) — Abortifacient (f; CRC); Analgesic (f; CRC); Antipyretic (f; CRC);
Astringent (f; CRC; PHR; PH2); Bitter (1; PH2); Carcinogenic (1; PH2); Contraceptive (f;