Licorice naked (licorice) was used in medicine five thousand years ago by Chinese doctors who referred this plant to first class medicines. And to this day, licorice finds wide application in traditional and folk medicine of most countries of the world, helping to heal a lot of diseases and strengthening the body's defenses. But most often licorice, and, more precisely, the root of licorice is used as a cough remedy.
Properties of licorice root and indications for use
Licorice root is recommended for inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract: bronchitis , tracheitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, etc. This drug has the following properties:
- expectorant;
- softening;
- anti-inflammatory.
In general, the therapeutic effect of licorice root is due to the content of glycyrrhizin in it. This substance increases the activity of the ciliary epithelium and enhances the secretory function of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, facilitating expectoration. At what kind of cough can the licorice root be used? As you know, dry cough should be transferred to moist, i.e. productive. Licorice root is a suitable means for this. Reducing the period of dry debilitating cough, it causes the appearance of sputum, along with which the body gets rid of pathogenic microorganisms. With a damp cough, when the sputum is difficult to separate, this agent helps to dilute it and increase in volume, which facilitates cough. Thus, the root of licorice is effective both in dry and with a damp cough.
How to take the root of licorice?
From the root of licorice are made several types of medicines. Consider what they are, and how to drink licorice root in some form of release.
Syrup of licorice root from cough - a thick liquid of brown color, which, in addition to the extract of licorice root, includes ethyl alcohol and sugar syrup. Typically, the syrup is used for 1 teaspoonful after eating 3 to 4 times a day, with plenty of water.
Licorice root extract dry - a fine powder from the dried licorice root, can be used to prepare a decoction.
Here's how to brew the root of licorice:
- 10 g (one tablespoon) of licorice root pour 200 ml of hot water.
- Put in a water bath for half an hour.
- Cool for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Strain through gauze (several layers).
- Bring the resulting volume of boiled water to 200 ml.
Decoction take 1 - 2 tablespoons for half an hour before meals 3 - 4 times a day.
The extract of licorice root is thick - a thick mass, which is prepared with the addition of 0.25% ammonia solution. Used for the manufacture of tablets.
Licorice root in tablets is a convenient form of release. Before use, one tablet containing, in addition to the main component, auxiliary ingredients, should be dissolved in a glass with warm water. Drink like tea, 2 times a day.
Licorice root tincture - this form is easy to prepare at home:
- Shredded licorice root with vodka in a ratio of 1: 5.
- Infuse in a dark place for two weeks.
- Strain agent.
Tincture should be taken on 30 drops twice a day, washed down with water.
As a rule, the root of licorice from a cough in any form takes no more than 10 days.
Contraindications to the use of licorice root:
- hypertension ;
- heart failure;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- pregnancy.
It should be borne in mind that long-term use of licorice root preparations can cause disturbances in the water-electrolyte balance and lead to edema.