Below is an article on why licorice powder can work to aid memory.
Licorice powder is in Himalayan Long Life Botanicals Super Superfood. This food has been used for thousands of years for health benefits.
Note that Himalayan Gold does not endorse these claims, or of the doctors and scientists in the references at the foot of the page. We place this page here for readers to access and evaluate, that is all.
Please read the article in Herbal Destination. (If the link is missing, please read the article in full as below.)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra/ Liquorice) is said to help enhance memory due to stress, modern hectic life style, premature aging.*
In modern times Nootropic products are used as memory enhancers, by improving the brain’s oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth. In India since ancient time herbal formulas have been used to enhance memory.* As per Ayurveda, Licorice relieves the problems of aggravated imbalances and comes under the banner of a memory booster as it is reported to enhance analytical abilities of the brain. Various scientific studies show that the herb acts as a memory enhancer and as a mental rejuvenator. It increases the blood circulation to the Central nervous system and balances the sugar levels in blood.
Licorice is reported to help overcome mental fatigue. It enhances cerebral circulation and nourishes the nervous system, thus it is reported to help to overcome problems related to stress and strain. It also helps to improve concentration.*
Memory enhancing activity of Licorice –
Investigation into Licorice has shown promise as a memory enhancing agent in all the laboratory models employed.
Antioxidant constituents from licorice roots isolation structure elucidation and antioxidative capacity towards LDL oxidation.
Researchers stated that Licorice shows significantly improved learning and memory, for many brain conditions.*
The protective quality of licorice extract may also be attributed to its antioxidant properties by virtue of which susceptible cells get exposed to less oxidative stress resulting in reduced brain damage and improved neuronal function thereby enhancing the memory.
The effect of Glabridin from Glycyrrhiza glabra appears to be a promising candidate for memory improvement.
Multi herbal formulations that have Licorice, Aloe weed, Gotu kola, Ashwagandha and Bacopa have higher efficacy to boost memory and to improve concentration. The presence of Ashwagandha along with Licorice helps to control anger, fear and emotions. All these herbs have memory enhancing capacity and should help to boost energy levels also.*
Dr. Deo is an Herbalist and an Ayurvedic Doctor. All the information provided above and opinions expressed should not be construed as medical advice. This information on supplements is provided for educational purposes only.
*Any statements made above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any herbs or products discussed above are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Below is from Alive.com. Read the article in full by pressing on the link, but below is a major part of the page. This is a great summary on the plant, its uses and its limits.
"Licorice is widely used for upper respiratory problems: sore throats, bronchitis, coughs, and excess catarrh. It soothes and reduces coughing, while its antiviral action is excellent for mouth ulcers and cold sores. The sweet taste makes licorice a popular addition to cough syrups and lozenges.
The healing effects of licorice make this herb a remedy for gastritis, peptic ulcers, and abdominal cramping. Some studies suggest that licorice can increase gastric juices by as much as 25 percent without altering the natural pH of the stomach, making licorice important for proper digestion.
Chemicals in licorice are metabolized by the body into molecules having a similar structure to some adrenal hormones. One of these hormones, cortisol, may be the basis of the anti-inflammatory effect of licorice. The herb is often added to formulas for chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritic and rheumatic complaints.
Licorice Precautions
Like all strong herbs, licorice must be treated with respect, and seeking the advice of a qualified natural health practitioner is recommended. While considered safe in low doses, adverse effects are common if you take more than 20 g of the root per day. Susceptible individuals may experience side effects at much lower doses.
Possible adverse effects include increased blood pressure, water retention, headaches,
dizziness, and irregular heartbeat. The safety of licorice in pregnancy has not been established, and it should be avoided in any dose over 3 g a day.
Do not take licorice if you have an existing high blood pressure or heart condition, or if you are taking medications for high blood pressure or heart problems. Also avoid licorice if you are taking diuretics or using potassium supplements. Licorice has been reported to have negative effects on estrogen-sensitive conditions, on thyroid hormone production, and it should not be combined with prescription corticosteroids.
Licorice Tea
The commercial product, DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), attempts to avoid adverse effects by reducing the glycyrrhizin content of the herb. (Glycyrrhizin, a component of licorice, is reportedly 50 times sweeter than table sugar.) DGL has proven effective for treating stomach ulcers and mouth sores, but needs to be mixed with saliva for best effect. For that reason, the preparation is normally available in a chewable tablet form. Chew a 300 mg tablet three times a day before meals and at bedtime. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, as dosages may vary.
Use the whole root to make a tea by steeping 1/2 tsp (2 g) dried root in 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water, or take 1/4 to 3/4 tsp (1 to 3 mL) tincture (1:5 ratio of dried herb to 45 percent alcohol extract). Take this tea three times a day, for a maximum of four to six weeks.
As one of our most versatile and effective herbs, licorice has proven its worth throughout history.
The Licorice List
Licorice has been shown to reduce allergy responses, which supports its use in the treatment of asthma, lupus, celiac disease, and topically in eczema or dermatitis preparations.
It has also been used in Bell’s palsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, vitiligo and melasma (skin pigmentation problems), polycystic ovarian syndrome, chronic urinary tract disease, infertility, psoriasis, and vasovagal syncope (where a sudden unexplained drop in blood pressure can cause fainting).
The root has been chewed for pain, and the leaves used to make drops for earache."
NOTE 1: Licorice root is in Super Superfood Greens 2% by volume, in Super Superfood Reds 2 % by volume, and in Super Superfood Gold it is 1.6% by volume.
NOTE 2: While these above are amazing reports, our super superfoods do not include high volumes of licorice root. If you are ill, please go to a physician. If on the other hand, you want good health by a cross selection of good nutrition, with an associated long life, our super superfoods are available for you.
Further references:
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via alleviating oxidative stress and stabilising the cardiac health in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.
Upadhyay S, Mantha AK, Dhiman M.J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Feb 24:112690. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112690. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 32105749 Similar articles
Glycyrrhizin Protects γ-Irradiated Mice from Gut Bacteria-Associated Infectious Complications by Improving miR-222-Associated Gas5 RNA Reduction in Macrophages of the Bacterial Translocation Site.
Ito I, Loucas BD, Suzuki S, Kobayashi M, Suzuki F.J Immunol. 2020 Mar 1;204(5):1255-1262. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900949. Epub 2020 Jan 15.
PMID: 31941655 Similar articles
Effect of hot water extract of a glycyrrhizin-deficient strain of Glycyrrhiza uralensis on contact hypersensitivity in mice.
Tsuge A, Hisaka S, Hayashi H, Nose M.J Nat Med. 2020 Mar;74(2):415-420. doi: 10.1007/s11418-019-01386-5. Epub 2020 Jan 8.
PMID: 31916003 Similar articles
Adamczak M, Wiecek A.Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020 Jan 8;22(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s11906-019-1007-y. Review.
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Integrative application of licorice root extract or lipoic acid with fulvic acid improves wheat production and defenses under salt stress conditions.
Elrys AS, Abdo AIE, Abdel-Hamed EMW, Desoky EM.Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2020 Mar 1;190:110144. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.110144. Epub 2019 Dec 31.
PMID: 31901539 Similar articles
Influence of Licorice Root Feeding on Chemical-Nutritional Quality of Cow Milk and Stracciata Cheese, an Italian Traditional Fresh Dairy Product.
Bennato F, Ianni A, Innosa D, Martino C, Grotta L, Pomilio F, Verna M, Martino G.Animals (Basel). 2019 Dec 16;9(12). pii: E1153. doi: 10.3390/ani9121153.
PMID: 31888121 Free PMC Article Similar articles
A Review of the Pharmacological Efficacy and Safety of Licorice Root from Corroborative Clinical Trial Findings.
Kwon YJ, Son DH, Chung TH, Lee YJ.J Med Food. 2020 Jan;23(1):12-20. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2019.4459. Epub 2019 Dec 23.
PMID: 31874059 Similar articles
An "essential herbal medicine"-licorice: A review of phytochemicals and its effects in combination preparations.
Jiang M, Zhao S, Yang S, Lin X, He X, Wei X, Song Q, Li R, Fu C, Zhang J, Zhang Z.J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Mar 1;249:112439. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112439. Epub 2019 Dec 4. Review.
PMID: 31811935 Similar articles
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extracts produced using artificial hydroponic and artificial hydroponic-field hybrid cultivation systems III: anti-allergic effects of hot water extracts on IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity in mice.
Nose M, Tsutsui R, Hisaka S, Akiyama H, Inui T, Kawano N, Hayashi S, Hishida A, Fuchino H, Kudo T, Kawahara N, Yoshimatsu K.J Nat Med. 2020 Mar;74(2):463-466. doi: 10.1007/s11418-019-01378-5. Epub 2019 Dec 5.
PMID: 31808065 Similar articles
Dietary supplementation of Saanen goats with dried licorice root modifies chemical and textural properties of dairy products.
Bennato F, Ianni A, Martino C, Di Luca A, Innosa D, Fusco AM, Pomilio F, Martino G.J Dairy Sci. 2020 Jan;103(1):52-62. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-16838. Epub 2019 Nov 6.
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