The flowers are whitish-purple in loose flower clusters, 5-8 cm in diameter. Naked licorice blooms in July through August. Nektaronos (Fig. 73).
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Widespread in the south of the European part of the USSR, North Caucasus, Dagestan ASSR, Azerbaijan SSR, and also in Central Asia.
Naked licorice grows on river floodplains, steppes, steppe meadows, on sandy and solonetz soils.
Roots and underground shoots are used, dug in early spring, in March - April (or in the fall with the beginning of wilting of above-ground parts of the plant), before the development of new stems, length 25-40 cm, thickness 8-12 mm, cleaned from the outer bark.
There is no odor, the flavor is cloyingly sweet, slightly irritating.
Chemical composition
.In roots and rhizomes were found triterpene saponin, glycyrrhizin (23%), a number of flavonoids (liquiritin, liquiritoside, etc.).), sitosterol, starch, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, mucus, gum, starch, ascorbic acid.
Action and application
.Licorice naked has attracted great interest from many scientists due to the study of triterpene compounds close in structure to the hormones of the adrenal glands. Among these compounds, glycyrrhizic acid and glycyretic acid, contained in the underground organs of licorice, are of particular interest. Abroad, their cortisone-like preparations have found use in Addison's disease and other disorders of water and mineral metabolism.
Glycoside glycyrrhizic acid accounts for the therapeutic action of licorice root (it has a sweet taste). Glycyrrhizic acid and glycyretic acids have actions somewhat similar to deoxycortic-costerone. Flavonoids, also isolated from the underground organs of licorice, have a versatile effect on the body; they have antispasmodic action, reduce capillary fragility and have an anti-inflammatory effect. The presence of a large amount of mucilaginous substances and gum makes it possible to use licorice as a laxative and expectorant. In an animal experiment it was shown that the roots and rhizomes of the plant promote healing of gastric ulcers, have antispasmodic, cholinolytic and antihistamine properties. Preparations of licorice root are used for respiratory diseases, as an expectorant softener, diuretic, as well as chronic constipation, in recent years - in diseases associated with disorders of water and mineral metabolism and for the treatment of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. The therapeutic effect of licorice root juice in gastric ulcer was noted by Kunert in 1955.; according to his observations, 40 g of juice a day relieves or reduces pain, and scarring of the ulcer occurs in a month.
Licorice root is part of a complex licorice powder, in the composition of collections: breast, stomach, laxative, anti-hemorrhoidal, diuretic, etc. In Tibetan medicine it is used in the treatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, diseases of the cardiovascular system and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
In Bulgaria, licorice root is used as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, analgesic, for inflammation of the respiratory tract. Clinical studies have established a healing effect in peptic ulcer disease. Bulgarian scientists note that with prolonged use of licorice preparations can occur violation of electrolyte-water balance and lead to the formation of edema (for 25 years of use of licorice in small doses in collections we noted only one case of formation of minor swelling).
In Chinese medicine it is believed that licorice root is as important as ginseng and is used as an antifever, analgesic, enveloping, expectorant, expectorant, mild laxative and for eczema.
Licorice preparations are used in the form of powders, thick extract, syrup, pills, and to improve the flavor of mixtures and for other purposes.
In Poland and Austria, licorice root is used for stomach ailments, coughs and as a diuretic in the form of decoction and juice.
The rhizome and root of licorice is official in most countries of the world (Klan, 1948), including the USSR.
In France, licorice preparations are used - syrup from the root for rheumatism, bronchitis and infectious diseases.
In folk medicine, licorice root has been used since ancient times. It was used as a constituent in almost all medicinal remedies. In ancient Greece - in coughs, asthma, etc. It has been mentioned in all medical books and lists of medicinal substances since the Middle Ages. Abu Ali Ibn-Sina recommended licorice roots for kidney and bladder diseases, gastritis, fever, lung diseases, etc.
In the food industry - for sweetening beer, kvass, lemonades, for soaking apples, etc.
We use the roots and underground shoots of licorice as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and laxative. Licorice preparations should be taken in small doses intermittently..
