Licorice: can it really be a good remedy for low blood pressure?
Licorice and pressure: what are the properties that bind them? Tronchetti, candies, sticks and even liqueur, it is easy to find licorice in different forms, but have you ever focused on the benefits of this famous root? We will tell you about it in depth in this article. You can't do without a packet of licorice in your bag, watch this video: the strangest things women keep in their bags ... and sometimes they don't know they have!
Licorice and pressure: let's be clear!
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) it is a plant that grows spontaneously especially in the Mediterranean basin. In particular, it is precisely from the roots of this plant that an extract with a unique and very pleasant flavor is obtained, with numerous beneficial properties known and appreciated for some time all over the world.
However, we must specify that licorice can also have harmful effects on the body: if you are pregnant, find out here if you can eat licorice when pregnant; if you suffer from high blood pressure, continue reading the article and discover all the benefits and precautions to be taken before consuming licorice root or its subsequent transformations (candies, liqueurs, etc ...).
See also
Licorice and pressure: all the benefits
- It is good for the stomach and intestines
The presence of flavonoids and glycyrrhizin (or glycyrrhizic acid), make licorice an "excellent ally for stomach pain and liver disorders, but also to treat coughs. Since time immemorial used and appreciated in the East as a natural remedy, licorice owes its virtues above all to" antispastic activity on the stomach muscles; moreover, by regularly consuming licorice, a significant anti-inflammatory, mucoprotective and healing action can be observed.
For all these reasons, licorice has always been used to facilitate digestion and as a protector of the gastric mucosa, even in the case of taking drugs that could damage the delicate mucous membrane of the stomach.
Finally, specific liquorice-based products perform a laxative action thanks to the presence of mannite, a sugar able to counteract constipation, facilitating the emptying of the colon.
- Calms the cough and acts on disorders of the oral mucosa
Licorice is able to thin bronchial secretions, assisting in the expulsion of phlegm. Furthermore, having strong anti-inflammatory, calming and soothing properties, licorice acts positively in the case of both dry and oily cough.
Not to mention the antiviral, disinfectant and healing action, which make it an excellent remedy for abrasions of the mucous membranes of the mouth and gums as well as in case of sore throat, even from smoking.
Suitable for smokers, not only to perfume the breath, but also in the event that you want to quit smoking: biting the licorice stick helps, replacing the cigarette and recalling the gesture.
- It has beneficial properties for the liver, heart and circulation
The benefits of licorice do not end there: even for the liver, heart and circulation there are improvements due to the consumption of this root. In particular, the "licorice extract would have a" protective action on the liver by reducing triglycerides and transaminases in people suffering from liver failure.
Also in this case, the effects just mentioned are due to the flavonoids contained in licorice which, by fighting free radicals, also offer protection from diseases affecting the cardiovascular system.
- Helps with low blood pressure
There is also a final point to be addressed, which is probably one of the most well-known functions of licorice: the increase in pressure. The root and licorice-based products in general, would have the task of helping all those who suffer from low blood pressure: glycyrrhizin acting on hormone levels, it increases sodium and water retention, eliminating potassium.
But the increase in blood pressure and the decrease in potassium are also the main unwanted effects of licorice: if you already suffer from high blood pressure, it would be better to stay away from licorice, because taking more than 20 grams a day continuously can give serious problems, if you are already a subject at risk of hypertension.
Doses and contraindications of liquorice for pressure
Due to the possible negative effects that glycyrrhizin can have on the body, the European Union has long established that the quantity of this substance, if present, must be clearly indicated on the labels of drinks and food.
In general, it must be considered that 10 grams of licorice roots correspond to about 1 gram of glycyrrhizin, so the recommended dose is 2-5 grams of pulverized root per day.
Doctors advise not to abuse it and never exceed 500 mg per day, also avoiding taking it for long periods. In all these cases, in fact, the negative effects could be: increased blood pressure, water retention, edema of the face and ankles, asthenia, muscle pain, headache.
If you suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) you must stay away from licorice, but you are not alone: even those suffering from kidney failure, water retention, liver cirrhosis and diabetics should not consume licorice. The same precautions should be taken by people using birth control pills as it has been shown an increased risk of hypertension in people taking contraceptives and using licorice.
And in pregnancy? As we have already mentioned, caution is needed, as licorice taken in high doses can induce damage to the fetus, which once born could present cognitive and behavioral deficits.
