TREATMENT DATABASE
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is as one of nature's most potent medicinal herbs. It is a popular ingredient in many Chinese herbal remedies and has been used to treat cough, sore throat, ulcers, arthritis, herpes infections, and hepatitis. When combined with other herbs, licorice can increase their effectiveness.
USES IN ME/CFS: Licorice is reputed to alleviate symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency (intolerance to heat, cold, noise, and other stimuli, low blood pressure, faintness). Because the action of licorice's main active chemical, glycyrretinic acid (GA), resembles that of the adrenal hormone aldosterone, licorice helps the body retain salt (and water) and ultimately may help raise blood volume and pressure. Because low blood pressure is a problem for many patients with ME/CFS, licorice could prove beneficial, especially for those who are sensitive to the drugs normally recommended to correct low blood pressure. In addition, licorice raises serum cortisol levels and stimulates natural killer cell activity.
Dr. Riccardo Baschetti used licorice for patients with low or low-normal plasma levels of cortisol. He claimed that dramatic improvement in symptoms could be seen after taking licorice for just three days (New Zealand Medical Journal, 1995).
| Rating | Side Effects | Reason for Treatment | Dosage / Duration | Age | Sex M/F | # of years Ill | Additional Comments | Illness Severity | Date Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | N/a | Low blood pressure. Feeling faint when getting up. | 2 year 500mg 2X day | 55 | Female | 3 | Now, I rarely feel faint when getting up. It seems to give me some energy. I tried to cut back and the symptoms came back. I actually take 500mg in the morning and 250mg in the afternoon. It’s a combo with rehmannia rhizome 300mg in the am and 150mg in the pm. | Moderate | 07/09/18 |
| 5 | It settles nighttime grumbling bowel/bladder . Eases gastric issues in general Mixing licorice powder with l-lysine makes it more pleasant in mouth | 3 year 1/4 teaspoon 2X day | 59 | Male | 7 | Moderate/Severe | 09/13/19 |