Licorice Root Elixir

1.Licorice helps in Reducing the Damage of the Gut Mucosa

The reflux of acid from the stomach to esophagus and its prolonged exposure causes the protective mucous membrane of the food pipe to get damaged.

This causes ulcers and inflammation, which are the major cause of pain.

A study on the effect of DGL in rats showed that administration of 100-500 mg Licorice per day significantly reduced the mucous layer damage induced by aspirin in the esophageal and stomach.

This can be considered a potential mechanism by which DGL works to soothe the pain caused by acid reflux and prevents the ulceration of the gut 

2. Licorice helps Heal Ulcers

A number of studies on duodenal, mouth and gastric ulcers have reported that Licorice or DGL helps in reducing the occurrence of the number and size of ulcers induced by different chemicals.

There has been a positive report on the effect of DGL for the mouth and duodenal ulcer whereas some studies on gastric ulcers show that there is no effect on Licorice on ulceration of the stomach.

Nevertheless, licorice has long been used in the treatment of peptic ulcers and certain clinical trials affirm the protective effects of licorice against the agents and acids that cause ulcers and pain.

3. Licorice Shows Anti-Spasm Activity

Spasms or colic or pain due to contraction of the muscles are of much concern in heartburn. The reflux causes these spasms to increase, increasing the discomfort and the extent of pain in this disorder.

A study on intestinal spasms demonstrated that DGL has potent anti-spasmic effects and the patients given the treatment of caved-s tablets, the commercial preparation of DGL, were free of pain within a short period of time, without any side effects.

4. Licorice can Treat Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia or indigestion is one of the major causes of heartburn. Due to poor digestion in the stomach, the food stays there longer, decreasing the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter which opens up consequently.

This gives way to the acid to flow up backward and cause heartburn.

In a randomized study, it was found that GutGard, which is commercially marketed licorice , could reduce the symptoms of dyspepsia within 15 days of administration and treat it completely in some of the patients by 30 days.

It was well tolerated by each group of patients without any side effects and with complete results.

5. Licorice has Potent Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Effects

In heartburn, the prolonged acid exposure causes damage to the gut wall due to which certain chemicals called cytokines are activated which further activate the immune cells that come to the damage site and cause pain and inflammation.

Besides cytokines, certain damage induced reactive oxygen species such as nitric oxides is also activated which create further damage to the affected tissue, making the injury worse.

In a study on the constituents of Licorice, it was shown that two of the components of Licorice extract called glabridin and isoliquiritigenin were potent inhibitors of damage induced nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1 and IL-6.

This anti-inflammatory activity and anti-oxidant activity of Licorice help directly to prevent and heal acid damage induced inflammation in the gut, treating heartburn.

Borrowed From Betty Ellis