Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice

Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) in the pea family (Fabaceae) is a small shrub with blue to violet flowers,1 native to the Mediterranean, Asia Minor to Iran, and now widely cultivated throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.2 Licorice is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs worldwide, and it is the single most used herb in Chinese medicine today.3

History and Traditional Use

Licorice was used in Arabia to treat coughs and to relieve the unwanted side effects of laxatives.4 Theophrastus, the Greek natural scientist (ca. 300 BCE), reported its use for dry cough, asthma, and all chest diseases.5 Pliny the Elder reported that licorice cleared the voice and acted as an expectorant (promotes discharge of mucous from the lungs and throat) and a carminative (induces the expulsion of gas from the stomach).1 Chinese medicine used licorice to relieve spasms of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle.2 Licorice has been commonly used as a demulcent (to relieve pain of irritated mucous membranes), antitussive (to relieve or suppress cough), and as a mild laxative.6 Traditionally, it is used to treat ulcers, abscesses, sores, sore throat, malaria, insomnia, abdominal pain, tuberculosis, and food poisoning.

Modern Medicinal Use

The German Commission E approved the internal use of licorice root for catarrhs (inflammation of mucous membranes, especially nose and throat) of the upper respiratory tract (the most common use of licorice) and gastric or duodenal ulcers.2 The modern Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia lists licorice as an expectorant, demulcent, spasmolytic (anti-spasmic), anti-inflammatory, adrenal agent, and a mild laxative. In Germany, licorice is licensed as a standard medicinal tea for loosening mucus, alleviating discharge in bronchitis, and as a method of treating spasmodic pains of chronic gastritis. In France, licorice preparations may be used to treat epigastric (abdominal wall) bloating, impaired digestion, and flatulence. Licorice extracts are used extensively as ingredients in cough drops and syrups, tonics, laxatives, and antismoking lozenges.6 They are also used as flavoring agents to mask bitter, nauseous, or other undesirable tastes in certain medicines. Licorice has also been used in many countries to treat cancer.6

Modern Consumer Use

Licorice root extract is used extensively in cough drops and syrups.6 It is also a major flavoring agent to mask bitter flavors in medicines. The root, powered, is widely used as a tea ingredient and in capsules, tablets, and other dietary supplement formulations, and is also used in flavoring tobacco. Most “licorice” candy sold in the US is actually flavored with the oil of anise and contains no actual licorice (Wizard, 2004, Leung and Foster, 1996).6 ,7

References

1 DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA. The Review of Natural Products, 3rd edition. St. Louis (MO): Facts and Comparisons; 2002.

2 Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; Newton (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

3 Blumenthal M, Hall T, Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, et al, editors. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; 2003.

4 Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing; 1995.

5 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.; 1971.

6 Leung AY., Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley-Interscience; 1996.

7 Wizard Mariann Garner. Licorice and its potential risk of preterm births. HerbalGram 2004;61:26.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Parts used and where grown: The lemon balm plant originated in southern Europe and is now found throughout the world. The lemony smell and pretty white flowers of the plant have led to its widespread cultivation in gardens. The leaves, stems, and flowers of lemon balm are used medicinally.

In what conditions might lemon balm be supportive?

Â¥ colic

¥ GraveÕs disease (hyperthyroidism)

¥ herpes simplex (cold sores) ¥ indigestion and heartburn

Â¥ insomnia

Â¥ nerve pain

Historical or traditional use: Charlemagne once ordered lemon balm planted in every monastery garden, testifying to its importance and beauty.1 It was used traditionally to treat gas, sleeping difficulties, and heart problems. Additionally, topical applications to the temples was sometimes used for insomnia or nerve pain.

Active constituents: The terpenes, part of the pleasant smelling essential oil from lemon balm, produce this herbÕs relaxing and gas-relieving effects. Flavonoids, polyphenolics, and other compounds appear to be responsible for lemon balmÕs anti-herpes and thyroid-regulating actions. These constituents actually block attachment to the thyroid cells by the antibodies that cause GraveÕs disease.2 The brainÕs signal to the thyroid (thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH) is also blocked from further stimulating the excessively active thyroid gland in this disease.

How much should I take? A simple tea made from 2 U.S. tablespoons (30 grams) of the herb steeped for ten to fifteen minutes in 150 ml of boiling water, is often used. Tincture can also be used at 2-3 ml three times per day. Highly concentrated topical extracts for herpes can be applied three to four times per day to the herpes lesions.3

Lemon balm is frequently combined with other medicinal plants. For example, peppermint and lemon balm together are very effective for soothing a stomach upset. Valerian is often combined with lemon balm for insomnia and nerve pain. Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) and lemon balm are usually used together for GraveÕs disease.

Are there any side effects or interactions? No significant adverse effects from lemon balm have been reported. Unlike sedative drugs, lemon balm is safe even while driving or operating machinery. Lemon balmÕs sedating effects are not intensified by alcohol. Persons with glaucoma should avoid lemon balm essential oil, as animal studies show that it may raise pressure in the eye.4

References:

1. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenberg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988, 31, 286. 2. AufÕmkolk M, Ingbar JC, Kubota K, et al. Extracts and auto-oxidized constituents of certain plants inhibit the receptor-binding and the biological activity of GravesÕ immunoglobulins. Endocrinol 1985;116(5):1687-93. 3. Wöhlbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract of Melissa officinalis. Phytomed 1994;1(1):25-31. 4. Leach EH, Lloyd JPF. Experimental ocular hypertension in animals. Trans Ophthalm Soc UK 1956;76:453-60.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic evergreen subshrub native to the Mediterranean region.1 The plant grows to three feet, and has green to grayish-green foliage and small blue or purple flowers. The essential oil is obtained from the flowering tops.

History and Traditional Use

Lavandula angustifolia (syn. L. vera) has been used to prevent intestinal gas, to increase urine secretion, to prevent and relieve spasm, and as a general tonic.1 In Spain, lavender is used as an antidiabetic agent. The flowers are simmered and the steam inhaled as a cold remedy; a tea has been used to induce or increase menstrual flow; and extracts have been used to treat acne and migraines. The fresh flowers and leaves have been used to treat headache and rheumatic pain. Lavender has a multitude of uses in aromatherapy.

Modern Medicinal Use

Lavender flower is approved for internal use by the German Commission E for mood disturbances such as restlessness or insomnia, certain functional abdominal complaints such as gaseous distension of the stomach, Roehmheld’s syndrome, and nervous intestinal discomfort; it has been approved in bath therapy for the treatment of functional circulatory disorders.2 In Germany the tea is used additionally for lack of appetite.3 In Europe, lavender is commonly used to prevent spasms of smooth muscle (such as in the stomach), to prevent gas formation in the stomach, and as a mild tranquilizer.4

Modern Consumer Use

Lavender is used as a fragrance component in pharmaceutical products such as antiseptic ointments, creams, lotions, and jellies.4 Cosmetic products such as soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes also commonly contain lavender as a fragrance component (especially the oil), and the oil is frequently found in insect repellents. In commercial food preparation, the flowers and more commonly the oil are used as a flavoring in beverages (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic), vinegars, baked goods, candy, gelatins, puddings, and frozen dairy desserts.

References

1 DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA. The Review of Natural Products: The Most Complete Source of Natural Product Information. 3rd ed. St Louis (MO): Facts and Comparisons; 2002.

2 Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. Klein S, Rister RS, translators. The Complete German Commission E Monographs&emdash;Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communication; 1998.

3 Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; Newton (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

4 Leung AY., Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley-Interscience; 1996.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Kelp

What does it do? Kelp is a sea vegetable that is a concentrated source of minerals, including iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. KelpÑas a source of iodine assists in making thyroid hormones, which are necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body.

Where is it found? Kelp can be one of several brown-colored seaweed species called Laminaria.

In what conditions might kelp be supportive?

Â¥ iodine supplementation

Who is likely to be deficient? People who avoid sea vegetablesÑas well as dairy, seafood, processed food, and the salt shaker, can become deficient in iodine. Although rare in Western societies, iodine deficiency can cause low thyroid function, goiter, and cretinism.

How much should I take? Since the introduction of iodized salt, additional sources of iodine, such as kelp, are unnecessary. However, kelp can be consumed as a source of other minerals.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Extremely high intakes of kelp could provide too much iodine and interfere with normal thyroid function.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.