Both the root and glycyrrhizin extract of the licorice plant are used medicinally.

Licorice root has long been known for its ability to soothe respiratory inflammation.

Glycyrrhizin has been used extensively in Japan for years, where it is employed to treat stomach ulcers and other inflammatory disorders and is a therapy with a variety of effects.

Licorice has long been valued as a demulcent (a calming, coating agent) and continues to be used by professional herbalists today to relieve respiratory ailments, stomach problems, inflammatory disorders, skin diseases, and liver problems.

May positively impact heart disease by lowering total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides.

May improve the immune system's T-cell count and stimulate production of protective compounds such as interferon.

Several clinical studies in HIV+ people have indicated clinical stabilization of disease in recipients with over seven years of use. While T cells were not seen to increase, progression to AIDS was significantly slowed for some.

The herb's protective effect on the liver has been confirmed by a 16-year study of patients with chronic hepatitis C. In this study, patients receiving a glycyrrhizin extract had a significantly lower rate of liver cancer.

Glycyrrhizin is also used to treat other liver disorders. Use of pharmaceutical-grade licorice extract in four people with hemophilia and liver damage related to antiretroviral use and Hepatitis C co-infection resulted in a normalization of liver enzymes within 10 days. This was reported in the Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases in 1999 and all four were able to resume or continue ARV therapy.

Glycyrrhizin also seems to help those with impaired kidney function (particularly the IV formulation): it operates directly against lipid-enveloped viruses (like herpes viruses) as well as several other pathogens such as TB, staph infections, MAI and others. It affects an enzyme called protein kinase C (PKC) which HIV uses for its growth. (PKC is affected by vitamin E as well).

In its HIV fighting capacity, there is evidence to show that licorice extract inhibits chronically HIV-infected cells (like macrophages), stops clumping of cells (syncytia) and interferes with cell-to-cell and virus-to-cell binding. It acts as an antioxidant, reducing damaging inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene C, excess cortisol and other reactive oxygen species.

In terms of cytokines, it helps reduce pathologically elevated levels of TNF and acid-labile interferon while encouraging IL-2 and interferon-gamma production, as well as MHC-I expression.

It is also important while using these extracts to monitor your potassium level as well as blood pressure. Licorice can increase the potassium loss caused by other drugs, such as diuretics. Eating bananas, peaches, dates, raisins, apricots, and potatoes will combat these effects.

Let your health care provider know if you are using licorice extracts.

Physician's Desk Reference's web entry on licorice.