Licorice (alcacuz, Chinese licorice, gan cao, gan zao, glycyrrhiza glabra, lakritze, Lakritzenwurzel, orozuz, regliz, Russian licorice, Spanish licorice, sweet root, yashtimadhu, yo jyo hen shi ko)
Classes: Gastrointestinal, Herbals; Pulmonary, Herbals
Suggested dosing of alcacuz, Chinese licorice (licorice)
Root
1-4 g PO TId
Tea
1 cup PO TID; 1-4 g powdered root/150 ml water
Ulcer
760-1520 mg DGL PO, AC, must mix w/saliva; 8-16 weeks
Cough
0.5-1 g PO powdered root qD-TId
Other Information
Use no more than 4-6 weeks
Suggested uses of alcacuz, Chinese licorice (licorice)
Adrenocortical insufficiency
Arthritis, bronchitis, dry cough, peptic ulcers, gastritis, infections (bacterial/viral), prostate cancer, sore throat, systemic lupus erythematosus, upper resp. inflammation
alcacuz, Chinese licorice (licorice) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Amenorrhea
CHF
Decreased libido
Edema
Erectile dysfunction
Headache
Hypertension
Hypertensive encephalopathy
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemic myopathy
Lethargy
Lower extremity weakness
Mineralocorticoid effects
Myoglobinuria
Pulmonary edema
Quadriplegia
Rhabdomyolysis
Sodium
Fluid retention
Warnings
Contraindications
Breast cancer, cholestatic liver disorders, cirrhosis, CHF, diabetes mellitus, endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, hypertonia, hypersensitivity to licorice, hypertension, hypokalemia, ovarian cancer, renal insufficiency (severe), uterine cancer, uterine fibroids
Cautions
Concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates or potassium-depleting agents
Impaired liver function
FDA consumer alert: Consuming >2 ounces/day for at least 2 weeks may cause hypokalemia and result in arrhythmia; adults aged 40 or older are at a higher risk (October 2011)
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: unsafe
Lactation: avoid use
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of alcacuz, Chinese licorice (licorice)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Anti-inflammatory, expectorant; blocks PGE2 & PGF2-alpha metab.
DGL less effective for upper resp. symptoms
