The next time stress comes knocking at your door with its
haggard face, tired eyes, and tense demeanor, you might consider brewing
yourself a strong cup of licorice tea. The sweet taste could keep you from
grabbing a higher caloric sweet alternative, and the licorice will help
normalize the adrenal glands and provide the necessary energy to deal with
whatever situation stress presents you. Containing a natural hormone that
replaces cortisone, licorice root helps assist the body in handling stressful
situations and normalizing blood sugar levels, thereby making it easer to
maintain a sense of well-being.
Since one major byproduct of stress is inflammation, it is
also useful to consume an herb known for its anti-inflammatory abilities. Often
used in cold formulas, licorice helps soothe and heal inflamed mucous membranes
in the respiratory tract, relieving throat hoarseness and soreness, and
expelling phlegm. It is also beneficial to alleviate the pain of arthritis. In
a study involving licorice biopatches on canker sores (see HC 110584-372), the
biopatches helped assuage the ulcer inflammation. Licorice is also soothing to
the gastrointestinal tract and is used as a mild laxative.
Licorice has been used for thousands of years by a
number of cultures. It has been used in many traditional Chinese medicine
formulas with the purpose of harmonizing the actions of other herbs and
promoting their absorption. Along with the other traditional applications of
licorice, the Chinese used it to help regulate the heartbeat. In Ayurvedic
medicine, it is used to nourish skin and hair. A combination of ginger,
cardamom, and licorice is used as a tonic for teeth. It is said to have a
balancing quality and to stimulate cranial and cerebrospinal fluid while it
calms the mind. Many years before chocolate bars became a regular army ration,
licorice roots were supplied as a chewable candy for the military. Alexander
the Great provided his troops with licorice sticks since chewing them
alleviated their thirst and gave them energy in battle. No doubt Alexander's
troops encountered many stressful situations.