Licorice is a plant growing wild in regions like Asia including Iran. It has been considered an herbal treatment since a long time ago. So, in traditional medicine licorice is highly useful and recommended for different ailments. Its technical name is “glycyrrhizin glabra”.
In this article we discuss this topic:
Does licorice treat cough, cold and sore throat?
Licorice Structure
The main component of licorice is “Glycyrrhizin”, making licorice taste sweet. It is about 30-50 times sweeter than sugar.
Licorice has about 300 flavonoids. It is anti-bacterial and anti-viral. licorice is a rich source of isoflavonoids, flavonoids and antioxidants.
Licorice contains vitamins B and E and minerals such as potassium and magnesium, sterols, amino acids etc. Licorice has got saponin.
Licorice is used in a vast variety of drugs such as pills, cough syrup, lozenges, spray, capsules and so on.
You can use licorice in the form of tea or herbal tea to get its benefits.
Does Licorice Treat Cough, Cold and Sore Throat?
There are different kinds of bacterial and viral infections such as: short infection (like a common cold), chronic infection (it may last a longer time), latent infection (they are passive for a period of time until they become active). Chinese research has shown that licorice root at least has two elements that have antiviral effects called: GL and GA. They weaken virus activities like virus gene and its replication. This plant also contains flavonoids that treat bacterial infections.
Licorice acts like an expectorant and removes extra mucus from airways.
Since it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, it is proper for treatment of infection and inflammation in throat and airways.
In some surgeries a breathing tube should be put inside patients’ throats. After operation patients usually have a pain in their throats. Using licorice lozenges may soothe this pain. Licorice in the form of tea, lozenge, spray is very common to soothe sore throat.
The researches on licorice components show that liquiritin apioside and liquiritin are the main antitussive and expectorant compounds of licorice.
Licorice has been a traditional treatment for sore throat, asthma and cough.
The other study showed that licorice cures asthma through anti-inflammatory effects and enhancement of endogenous steroids. This study also proved that licorice can expulse mucus from bronchial passages and soothes irritated airways and bronchioles.
So, to answer the question of our article:
Does licorice treat cough, cold and sore throat?
We can say “yes”. It reduces cough and relieves sore throat, removes mucus from airways and defend our body against cold viruses, decrease inflammation in our airways and fortifies immune system.
Written by: Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.
Editor: Meysam Shokripour
References : iranlicorice.com
