The mother tincture of licorice, very useful in the treatment of coughs, has digestive, gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory qualities. Let’s find out better.
Properties of liquorice mother tincture
Thanks to the properties of its essential oils, licorice mother tincture is used in case of difficult digestion, as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory, it is very useful in the treatment of cough, sore throat and gastric acidity.
Mentioned in the first herbarium of traditional Chinese medicine, licorice has been used in Asia for about 5,000 years to treat coughs, food poisoning and liver disorders, while in Europe it was only introduced in the 15th century by Dominican friars.
The virtue that in the past made licorice famous was its thirst- quenching: the Scythians (nomadic population of Iranian origin) who ate only goat cheese and licorice, walked for hours in the desert without suffering from thirst thanks to the refreshing action of this precious root.
Those suffering from low blood pressure can benefit from licorice as it increases blood pressure, but for the same reason it should be consumed sparingly.
Description of the plant
Licorice is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Leguminosae family and the same name indicates the vegetable extract obtained from the root by boiling.
Licorice root is marketed in the form of chewing sticks, shredded to prepare herbal teas and infusions, in sugared almonds prepared with the extract or reduced to powder and juice.
From its notes, a mild warm warmth emerges; she cleanses, mitigates the bitterness and is soothing. You have a slightly astringent base.
How to prepare the mother tincture of licorice
The mother tincture of licorice is a hydroalcoholic preparation obtained by cold maceration in a hydroalcoholic solvent with a suitable strength of 25% dry root.
Usage
According to traditional use, mother tincture represents a useful adjuvant in case of allergies, arthritis, asthma, acute or chronic bronchitis, liver disorders, nervous and non- nervous hunger, physical and mental fatigue, gastritis, viral infections, rheumatism, duodenal ulcers.
Its digestive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant and protective properties of the gastric mucosa are generally recognized. Indicated against cough, sore throat, phlegm, cervical and gastric acidity, it also exerts a mild laxative function.
The dosage generally indicated provides 30-60 drops twice a day preferably before meals, while to digest after meals, to be taken after consulting a doctor or expert. If overused, headaches, swelling of the face and ankles, and water retention can occur.
It is contraindicated in cases of renal insufficiency, overweight, arterial hypertension. Interactions with some drugs such as diuretics, laxatives and cortisone have been highlighted.
