LICORICE — A SWEET GOODBYE TO COUGHS AND STOMACH AILMENTS (AND CHRONIC FATIGUE FOR GOOD MEASURE) 

One of the most ancient and most venerable of herbs, licorice has been used from prehistoric times both medicinally and as a sweet-tasting foodstuff. Testimonials to its abiding value in terms of respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, for example, abound as a common denominator across a range of cultures and civilizations both East and West. 

Licorice’s anti-inflammatory properties, which have been confirmed by scientific research, make it highly effective in soothing mucous membranes. Which is why it’s hardly surprising that Commission E, the widely acknowledged German regulatory body for herbal medicines, has approved its use for gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract.

Some researchers have gone so far as to compare the cough suppressant action of licorice to that of codeine. This explains its long history of use for coughs and asthma.

In addition, the adrenal and antiviral actions of this classic herb have rendered it quite valuable for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Health Canada has given its formal approval to St. Francis Herb Farm’s product, “Licorice” (NPN 80009361). While there is much research yet to be done on the therapeutic qualities of this herb, for the present Health Canada has officially endorsed the following uses: 

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as an expectorant to help relieve chest complaints, such as catarrhs, coughs, and bronchitis.
• Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis in adults.