La licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra), with different pharmacological properties and whose name means "sweet root", is used not only in the kitchen to make sweets and sweets, but also in herbal medicine and Chinese medicine.
The effects of licorice on blood pressure
Licorice has among its countless effects that of increase blood pressure.
Excellent then for those suffering from low blood pressure it is, on the other hand, to be moderated in hypertensive patients.
The juice extracted from its roots, with a bittersweet flavor and black color, is made up of 5-10% carbohydrates and 3 to 5% of a saponoside, the glycerizzina, active ingredient that Licorice it favors the retention of sodium, the content of which changes according to the origin, variety and growing conditions of the plant.
Also rich in free and glycosylated flavonoids (liquiritin and isoliquiritin), mineral salts (magnesium, potassium and phosphorus) e Vitamins, licorice has positive properties such as antispasmodic, antioxidant and hepatotoxic properties.
The hypertensive effect of licorice it is due to the glycyrizin contained in it which, as a salt of glycyrrhizinic acid, inhibits an enzyme (11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) used for the "fragmentation" of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone, thus extending their life and activity.
What do these two hormones do? The cortisol el 'aldosterone increase the sodium retention and potassium loss by the body in the kidneys, thereby increasing the pressure.
The effect had been known for some time (we are talking about mineralocorticoid effect) but only now it has been possible to ascertain how they are sufficient 50g of licorice per day for a period of 2 to 4 weeks to determine a significant increase in risk for those suffering from hypertension.
Find out about other remedies for low blood pressure
How much to eat?
Licorice root can be found commercially in chew sticks, in pieces for decoctions and herbal teas, reduced to powder and juice.
Considering that about 10gr of licorice roots correspond approximately to 1gr of glycyrrhizin, it is estimated that the intake limit should be equal to half a gram per day of glycyrrhizin.
Eating traditional sticks, licorice juice logs or candies is over the limit and shouldn't be taken every day either. Be careful, therefore, to these foods that are usually eaten without giving too much weight to the quantity!
If licorice is used in the form of dried and chopped drugs the quantity to be taken is that of twice a day of 150 ml of infusion prepared by letting it macerate for 15 minutes, with the heat off, 1.5-2gr of drug in 150 ml of boiling water.
Licorice: when it is not recommended
Being a powerful sweetener (the active ingredients are characterized by a sweet taste from 50 to 100 times greater than that of cane sugar), licorice is not recommended for people with diabetes but also for those suffering from high blood pressure, glaucoma, heart disease, edema or in those who hire digital for all the above reasons.
The same attention must be paid to women using the birth control pill. Hypokalemia and hypertension seem, in fact, to be potentiated by this type of drug when used concomitantly with licorice.
Licorice in pregnant women can be taken at low dosages, therefore not for the purpose of raising the pressure.
Here's what to eat for low blood pressure
To learn more:
> The properties of the licorice plant, useful for pressure
> The properties and use of licorice mother tincture
> The recipe for licorice ice cream
> Therapeutic properties of licorice
