Liquorice Root - anyone tried it?

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g_1988

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Hey guys,

As the title says really. Been reading some good things about liquorice root and its ability to reduce inflammation and ulcers. Apparently it works by inhibiting the breakdown of cortisol and improving adrenal function, or someting like that.


It contains glycosides called glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizinic acid which are supposed to be the magic ingredients. I'm guessing this works similar to a corticosteroid in that it allows for higher cortisol levels. Apparently without the detrimental side effects that can happen. Although there are some precautions to take before. Like roids it causes sodium retention and potassium loss which is dangerous to people with heart, liver or kidney disease. Not sure what other contraindications there are but it seems pretty safe and I've ordered some.

Also, anyone tried green tea and marshmallow root? I've ordered some of those, too, because they are also supposed to be anti inflammatory.


Read about liquorice yourself:

http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/liquorice-auto-immune-multiple-sclerosis-ibs.asp

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-licorice-root.html

http://www.nutrasanus.com/licorice.html
 
I tried Licorice, but I hate the taste and would gag every time I ate it.

I never got far with that, but it is worth try. i find things like this are a good complementary treatment, but by themselves, they probably will not resolve the symptoms.

I drink Green Tea most every day, but it is part of a whole lifestyle change to support my treatment. i eat and drink many things that tip the scales more in my favor, but any one by itself probably would not do much.

I take Krill Oil, Ginger and Turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties and multiple other benefits. I have never used Marshmallow Root.

You may want to look at Boswellia. It has some interesting properties that may be useful for Crohn's.

Dan
 
Hi Dan,

I'm already taking boswellia actually. Also taking cat's claw, devil's claw and I'm going to be trying out ginger and turmeric, too.

Dan, you also mentioned you use turmeric and ginger. How long did these take to show a beneficial effect for you? Is there an average time? how much do you take?

Thanks.
 
There's licorice trees or bushes growing out there somewhere? I need to get me some, I love licorice. Old-fashion licorice that is actually brown when you bit it. Love it, love it, love it.

Oh, forgot, it really doesn't like me.
 
I originally took them in high doses right after my Crohn's diagnosis. I was using them to reduce inflammation, as I was flared at that time. I took these until I could investigate treatment options, so it was more of an interim treatment to buy me some time.

It worked to a degree, but I had to take 1500 mg of each, twice a day, to even have a moderate effect. It took a couple of weeks to have any effect, since I was gradually increasing my dose.

I just take 500 mg a day now for the other benefits they both offer.

I took them prior to my symptoms in the same small dosages.

Have you noticed any difference when you started using any of the supplements you are using now?

Dan
 
I would just be careful with the Potassium loss. My KCL levels always teeter near the lower end of normal. A few strong bouts of diarrhea and you could be symptomatic. Do you know your electrolyte levels?
 
my niece and sister sends me this stick thing and you can chew on it not eat gets it in holland kid chew on it for fun . she sent me some kind of pure licorice sticks plus these drops. Told me to boil the licorice with the drops by the why they are very very bitter anyhow after boiling together it makes some kind of healty drink but its for real bad chest colds. Wonder if its go for anything else or bad . thanks for the site info
 
Hi there, I don't know much aboutt his but when I was looking into alternative treatments I remember being told liquorice was a big no no for Crohn's?
 
Hi all,

First of all, yes I have definitely noticed the effects of the supplements I'm taking now. Been taking boswellia for about 4 months now and it works well.

As for the diarrhea, I don't know whether that's a side effect of liquorice but I wouldn't let that stop me. Seeing as how diarrhea is a possible side effect of just about every treatment there is anyway, and how I'm used to having diarrhea with the illness. Diarrhea can be helped greatly with fiber supplements, too.

In regards to the potassium loss; yes that is a concern, but it is also a concern that must be noted when taking corticosteroids. Increased cortisol levels will promote potassium excretion and sodium retention but eating a potassium rich diet will help prevent that. I've been on two courses of steroids and neither time was I warned about potassium loss. The doctor obviously did not think potassium deficiency was going to be a problem, and the courses were only 8 weeks each. Either way, in my case it has always taken a rather severe amount of prolonged diarrhea to cause electrolyte imbalances.

The problem only arises after long term use of the supplement (6-8 weeks or more) and since it should not be taken for longer than this without a break it doesn't seem like a big worry anyway. Another way to look at it is this: if it DOES help reduce inflammation, it will also help reduce diarrhea which also helps conserve electrolyte levels. Reduced inflammation also means improved digestion and absorption. Eating a few bananas a day will give you around 50% of your potassium. So will avocados, orange juice, all green vegetables contain it. It's not really hard to maintain potassium levels.


Thanks for the replies.
 
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Be careful with licorice....I'm not sure about if it helps crohn's or colitis but I'm pretty sure it can cause high blood pressure
 
I only like hard liquorice, when I've got it in I eat about a stick a day. Not sure if it helps or not but love the taste. Never tried the root tho but my mum says it tastes disgusting lol
 
I love liquorice, and so does my sister but she can't eat it anymore because she is a coeliac and we haven't been able to find any liquorice without gluten.

In fact, when you start looking at all the liquorice on the shelves it only has liquorice flavouring, not liquorice at all so I'd be interested to know where you can get real liquorice from
 
I was pulled off of Humira on 9/30 and am waiting to find out if I will begin Entyvio later this month. Because of the ulcers found in my last colonoscopy, I was concerned with going without any meds for over a month. I am drinking bone broth and eating bananas three times a day. Also adding licorice root powder to the bone broth at times but being careful not to use too much. I have noticed a huge change and I believe there is some healing going on. I think it is a combination of giving my digestive system a rest, drinking bone broth, adding licorice root powder to help decrease inflammation and eating bananas to keep potassium up. This does nothing for my energy level, but I've been able to work 35 hours a week.
 
katiesue230 said:
I was pulled off of Humira on 9/30 and am waiting to find out if I will begin Entyvio later this month. Because of the ulcers found in my last colonoscopy, I was concerned with going without any meds for over a month. I am drinking bone broth and eating bananas three times a day. Also adding licorice root powder to the bone broth at times but being careful not to use too much. I have noticed a huge change and I believe there is some healing going on. I think it is a combination of giving my digestive system a rest, drinking bone broth, adding licorice root powder to help decrease inflammation and eating bananas to keep potassium up. This does nothing for my energy level, but I've been able to work 35 hours a week.
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I am glad it is helping. I would be concerned about going without medication also
 

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