Liquorice and peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer formation occurs in the stomach (gastric ulcer) and the first portion of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer).

Approximately 10% of the US populations have clinical evidence of duodenal ulcer at some time in their life.

In 1946, Dutch physician, Revers, discovered that his patients with peptic ulcers frequently showed marked improvement after taking the prescription of a local pharmacist in Heerenveen.

This preparation was found to contain the equivalent of 40% of powdered liquorice extract.

Liquorice has traditionally been used as an excellent medicine for peptic ulcers. However, the liquorice compound glycyrrhetinic acid has been found to elevate blood pressure in some people.

Hence, a procedure was developed to remove this compound from liquorice and form deglycyrrhizinated liquorice.

Liquorice is derived from the perennial herb, Glycyrrhiza glabra and comprises glycyrrhizic acid. Other active constituents of liquorice include isoflavonoids, chalcones, coumarines, triterpenoids and sterols, lignans, amino acids, amines, gums and volatile oils.

It has long been used for flavoring and in medicines to disguise components. Medically, liquorice has been prescribed in peptic ulcers disease in Addison’s disease.
Liquorice and peptic ulcer disease

Liquorice in Chinese medicine

The name scientific name for liquorice is Glycyrrhiza glabra or Glycyrrhiza uralensis while common name known as Gan cao, sweet root or glycyrrhiza.

The root has a sweet constituent. The name liquorice is derived from a Greek name meaning ‘sweet root’. Liquorice root is one of the oldest and most frequently used medicinal herbs in the history of Chines medicine.

Liquorice is used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of conditions and ailments. It is felt to benefit Qi , reduce "Fire Poison" (sore throat, skin eruptions), and diminish "Heat."

Specific conditions treated by Chinese herbalists include gastric and duodenal ulcers, abdominal pain, pharyngitis, malaria, tuberculosis, abscesses and sores.

It also increases secretions, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, used to treat respiratory catarrh, chronic gastritis, and to harmonize the flavors.

Long term use in high dose may lead to liquorice intoxication: its mineral corticoid effects cause sodium and water retention, decrease potassium, hypertension, edema, heart complaints, in some cases myoglobinuria.

In 2008, The European Commission suggested that intake of glycyrrhiza acid should be restricted to below 100 mg/day to avoid a rise in blood pressure, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, and lowering of testosterone levels in men.
Liquorice in Chinese medicine