Licorice and Marshmallow

Herb Of The Week / Licorice and Marshmallow

We've featured most of the most popular and commonly used herbs such
as Gingko Biloba, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Saw Palmetto, Hawthorn
Berry, Milk Thistle, Slippery Elm, Pau D' Arco, Elderberry, Yellow
Dock etc. Now is a good time to focus on some of the herbs that are
well known for their uses in candy, but lesser known for their
medicinal value.

Before we proceed any further, we need to stress that the marshmallow
and licorice flavors used in candy is more than likely artificial
flavoring and not made of real licorice root or marshmallow root.

Real LICORICE is known botanically as Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is used
medicinally for it's positive effect upon the endocrine system and the
liver gastritis. Consequently it is important in herbal remedies for
viral liver inflammation and for treatment of PMS and menopause since
it balances estrogen and inhibits progesterone breakdown. It is also
stimulates the immune system into action. It has been widely used in
Japan as an anti-hepatotoxic for the treatment of chronic hepatitis
and cirrhosis. Furthermore, Glycyrrhizin inhibits the growth of
several DNA and RNA viruses, inactivating Herpes simplex virus
particles irreversibly. Licorice is used in allopathic (conventional)
medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its
herbal use in gastritis and ulcers.


WARNING: Long-term ingestion of licorice may cause sodium and water
retention, hypokalemia and hypertension. This is caused by the
glycyrrhizin in licorice. A de-glycyrzrhized version of licorice can
be purchased, but I don't know of how much use it would be. It is
best to avoid licorice if you have hypertension, kidney disease or
during pregnancy. Sense licorice can aggravate many conditions
involving the kidneys and liver, herbal expertise should be sought
regarding its usage.


MARSHMALLOW (Althaea officinalis). Marshmallow is for mucilage,
wherever such an action is called for. The roots have been used more
for the digestive system whilst the leaves are used more for the
urinary system and lungs. All inflammatory conditions of the G-I tract
will benefit from its use including inflammation of the mouth, ulcers,
gastritis, colitis and even urinary type things such as urethritis
and urinary gravel as well as bronchitis and irritating coughs. The
keyword to remember for Marshmallow is SOOTHING for inflamed and
irritated states of mucous membranes. This includes Sore throats and
all. It is one of the most effective and safest demulcents known and
may be used in any situation where this action is appropriate.


Demulcents - 1. Compounds which contain soothing substances, for
example syrup or glycerol, which are claimed to reduce the symptoms in
dry, irritating coughs. 2. a usually mucilaginous or oily substance
(as tragacanth) that can soothe
or protect an abraded mucous membrane.

Licorice and marshmallow are usually herbs that are included in
mixtures and formulas for certain conditions. But there is so much
more to licorice and marshmallow that can be covered


Do your own research....

By good utilization of search engine technology, we can look up
information as in depth as we desire in our own free time. As we
mention all the time, with every post, that you can research anything
mentioned in this newsletter on your own. Some good search engines are
www.mamma.com or www.google.com. or www.dogpile.com or
www.askjeeves.com ...etc. By entering one or more keywords you can do
your own research.

Until next time remember .... most illness (upwards of 80% according
to experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can
weaken your immune system and your ability to fight off disease:


1. Anxiety, depression, anger, resentment, guilt and other STRESS
factors
2. Improper and/or inadequate NUTRITION habits
3. A sedentary lifestyle that does not include enough EXERCISE
4. Not enough rest and quality SLEEP time

The United States Surgeon General warned Americans in a landmark 1988
report on Nutrition and Health that "diet related diseases account for
68% of U.S. deaths"


Remember, we ALWAYS recommend that you ALWAYS consult a professional
herbalist, naturopathologist or physician. We are just passing along
what we hope to be useful information.


Bye-Bye,

Q