Licorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra means sweet root in Greek and it is kind of legume. It also called ‘Mulethi’ or known as Glycyrrhiza, Chinese Licorice, Gan Cao, Kan-ts’ao, Kuo-lao, Licorice, Licorice Root, Ling-t’ung, Liquorice, Mei-ts’ao, Mi-kan, Mi-ts’ao, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood, Yasti Madhu,
It contains a compound named glycyrrhizin that is sweeter than sugar about 50 times. The name Glycyrrhiza is from “glukos” which means sweet and “riza” means root. Therefore, it also often used in candies, beverages and even for toothpaste.
Licorice recently imported to China and it became Chinese important medicinal herbs tradition. With its taste and many health benefits, nowadays you can find Licorice throughout the world even in powder. The detail of health benefits of Licorice powder are:
- Reduces menstrual pains and treats menopause
Licorice powder provides an estrogen-like effect in women which also acts as an option for menstrual- and fertility-related concerns, including has the benefit to relieve menstrual pains. To treat menopause, licorice powder is better in reduce the duration of hot flashes than hormone replacement therapy.
- Reduces depression
Licorice powder also plays a role for a natural anti-depressant. The function of the adrenal glands will improve as well as cortisol synthesis process is under control. That hormone supports in reduces the main cause of anxiety, nervousness, chronic fatigue and stress.
- Treats stomach disorders
Licorice powder contains some laxative properties. The flavonoids and chalcone in licorice powder probably reduce Inflammation and irritation due to the bacterial infection in your stomach. Those properties also make the digestive system stronger by soothing off the lining of the inflamed mucus and help to relieve gastric-related issues.
- Cures diabetes
Licorice powder can against diabetes effectively although the research distributes it only on animals. It has been proven by the reversing of disease due to Licorice powder in the animals that were affected by some disease, according to the research in 2011. They found that licorice powder is an effective natural treatment for those who are suffering from diabetes.
- Boosts immunity
Licorice powder prevents hepatitis C, HIV and influenza that also can treats them. It is because the licorice powder increase the immune system as well as kill those bacteria. Research in Food Chemistry shows that consume licorice powder is as same as collects “antioxidant, free-radical scavenging, immune stimulating” properties.
- Makes your skin bright
Take licorice powder regularly makes your skin look brighter, especially for your face. You can try by combining turmeric powder with licorice powder or licorice tea as face mask. Put the pack on your face and let it dry for about 15 minutes. Then you can rinse the pack off from your face with clear water. As an option, add a few drops of coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil to make your face more hydrated. You can also read the benefit in coconut oil benefits, health benefits of olive oil and health benefits of almond oil.
- Prevents cancer
Some nutrient in licorice powder can against several symptom of cancer effectively, also for cell proliferation, inflammation, cell death resistance and makes its own blood vessels. The studies based on cell-based studies. However, more clinical studies are necessary to make sure that licorice powder is safe and effective to treat cancer.
Moreover, a polysaccharide in licorice powder provides apoptosis and reduces the growing of cancer cells.
- Reduces respiratory problems and sore throat
Licorice powder reduces congestion and coughing by losing and thinning mucus in airways. That brings cough more “productive,” brings phlegm up and other mucus bits. It also helps to make bronchial spasms relax.
So, health benefits of licorice powder are soothes your throat from the soreness and beats viruses that can lead to respiratory illnesses and more mucus. The illness is such as irritating coughs, asthma and chest infections.
- Improves your heart function
In order to limit the risk of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, you can try by taking licorice powder that probably reduces artery-clogging plaque formation and improving the function of your heart. Modest doses of taking licorice about 100 mg per day will give the result to your healthy heart. You can also read health benefits of lipton tea.
- Beats diabetes
As well as makes the liver healthy, it also treats the diseases through that vital organ. Anti-inflammatory properties in licorice powder supports in fights hepatitis-associated liver inflammation. Licorice also provides valuable antioxidant compounds to supports overall health of the liver.
Those are some of health benefits of licorice powder which as well as other herbs powder you can read in health benefits of haritaki fruit powder.