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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> black licorice
        
(Message started by: headstrong on Jul 26^th, 2005, 7:17pm)

Title: black licorice
Post by headstrong on Jul 26^th, 2005, 7:17pm

I am 36 years old and have been getting clusters since the age of 12. I have tried severel medications as well as oxygen with little relief. Usually the side effects made me almost as sick. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS CRAZY but I think black licorice is signifacantly improving my headaches. I discovered this on accident after eating way to much (real licorice-not licorice flavoring like twizlers). I started taking capsuls from GNC or any health food store and it is working!!!!! I normally get the clusters every spring and fall. The licorice has been working for 2 years. I still get them but more like what they are like the first few days of a bout - lasting only about 10 minutes. No waking up in the night-- No crying--No pacing the floor--No smashing my head. It is wonderful. Please try it!! Please let me know results. Thanks- I would like to add that I begin taking when the headaches start and stop when they stop-about 4-6 weeks.

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by E-Double on Jul 26^th, 2005, 7:31pm

Appears to have anti-inflammatory properties so it might not be so crazy ;)

yet side effects include headache.......but so does most meds/treatments....

go figure and if it works cool!!

Still need to be careful....could be toxic!!!

http://www.sirisimpex.com/glycyrrhiza.htm

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/101700.shtml

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by floridian on Jul 26^th, 2005, 8:58pm

I should have a page on this - and will soon. Doh!! I am remiss as an herbalist. Licorice (real licorice using root extract) has activity similar to prednisone and aldosterone. We have disccussed licorice before, but mostly as a source of deliciousity.

Yeah, watch the blood pressure. Too much licorice for too long can raise blood pressure, which is one possible source of headaches (and strokes and heart attacks).

Also avoid salt licorice, which contains ammonium chloride. Ammonium could trigger as the nitrates do, and the chloride may not be great since our ion pumps are screwed up (but the amount of chloride may not be that large).

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 26^th, 2005, 9:45pm

Seems to be a lot of information regarding a number of medicinal qualities in Licorice Root. Anti-inflamitory is referenced fairly often. Who knows? May have to try some - can't hurt.

Tom

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by floridian on Jul 26^th, 2005, 10:48pm

OK, got an entry in the online cluster headache book:

http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Licorice

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by mynm156 on Jul 30^th, 2005, 8:53pm

Its one of those Migraine triggers too.

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by Topical on Jul 31^st, 2005, 7:18am

How about Jagermeister? http://www.executive-champagne.co.uk/images/jagermeister_bottle.gif

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by floridian on Jul 31^st, 2005, 8:35am

on 07/30/05 at 20:53:14, mynm156 wrote:

Its one of those Migraine triggers too.

What type of licorice? What type of migraine? I am trying to figure out licorice in depth - any info appreciated.

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by eddie on Jul 31^st, 2005, 9:17am

Licorice is an ancient herb (Glycyrrhiza glabra) that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Licorice (often spelled "liquorice" in ancient herbals) is a member of the legume family, whose cousins include beans, peas and the herb broom. About two-thirds of all Chinese herbal formulas include licorice.

Licorice is a popular remedy for cough, some complications of tuberculosis, and chest complaints in general, such as bronchitis. Because of its soothing properties, it often is used in cough medicines. It is also highly regarded as a soothing ingredient for sore throat and laryngitis. The Chinese have also used licorice to strengthen and balance the female reproductive system. Some compounds found in licorice are thought to help the adrenal glands function more smoothly in conditions of stress and exhaustion. The adrenal glands are responsible for hormones that keep the body systems balanced. Naturopaths have used licorice in treating hypoglycemia, diabetes and Addison's disease, which is a malfunction of the adrenal glands.

At the IX International Conference on AIDS in Berlin, two small, non- randomized studies of glycyrrhizin in asymptomatic HIV+ individuals suggested some benefits to the treatment. However, these studies, both of which were conducted in Japan, are difficult to analyze or draw any conclusions from, due to the small size and the extremely limited data that were published. There are reports of glycyrrhizin causing high blood pressure, water retention, and possibly heart complications when taken in very high doses.

Naturally sweet licorice root has been used for thousands of years to treat coughs, lung congestion, constipation and relieve inflammation of mucus membranes. The Greeks wrote about it over 2,300 years ago, and extract from the roots of glycyrrhizin has been used throughout Europe. For over forty years, it's been a prescription drug in Japan to treat inflammatory illnesses such as ulcers and chronic liver disease. It is also used to decrease allergic reactions to other drugs.

The chief substance in licorice root, which supplies the sweet taste, is called glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin is a sweet, white crystalline powder consisting of the calcium and potassium salts of glycyrrhizic acid. Other substances found in the root include starch, gum, protein, fat, resin, asparagin, a trace of tannin, yellow coloring matter and a small amount of volatile oil.

Candy called licorice is flavored mostly with anise (another plant, a part of the parsely family), and has very little glycyrrhizin in it. Some natural licorice candies and cough drops can be found in health-food stores. Glycyrrhizin may protect livers and other vital organs from being damaged by oxidants. Too many oxidants can harm healthy cells and cause inflammation. Licorice is considered ideal for patients who are dehydrated or thin, but not for people with swelling, pregnant women in the last trimester, or people who are overweight because of water retention.

Also, to be safe, if you have high blood pressure or heart trouble, avoid large amounts of licorice. The overconsumption of candies containing licorice extract has caused some people to develop symptoms of edema, or swelling, and related problems. Large amounts of licorice should be avoided since the herb can deplete your body of potassium, causing an electrolyte imbalance.

Licorice grows wild in North America as Glycyrrhiza lepidota, one of numerous species of this plant. The Blackfoot Indians of the Dakotas steeped the leaves of wild licorice plants in hot water and used this infusion to treat earache. In China, where licorice is commonly called gan cao (sweet weed), doctors have long used the herb for gastric ulcers and arthritis.

Researchers using a highly refined licorice extract suggest that chemicals in glycyrrhizin called triterpenoids may be effective against cancer. They may block the production of prostaglandin - a hormonelike fatty acid that may be responsible for stimulating the growth of cancer cells - and help get rid of cancer-causing invaders. Triterpenoids have been shown in test tubes to stunt the growth of rapidly multiplying cells, like cancer cells, and they may even help precancerous cells return to normal.

Title: Re: black licorice
Post by Jasmyn on Jul 31^st, 2005, 3:46pm

Thanks eddie great info!