Licorice Root for Hormone Balance: Menopause, Blood Sugar & Weight Loss

Key Takeaways

• Licorice Root, from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, offers a sweet taste and medicinal benefits. With over 300 helpful chemical compounds, including potent glycyrrhizin, it effectively treats various health conditions.
• Licorice Root has shown promise in aiding weight loss. Studies suggest its component glycyrrhetinic acid helps reduce body fat. One study noted significant weight loss and a decrease in body mass index (BMI) after participants consumed licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks.
• Licorice Root has demonstrated potential in managing blood sugar levels. Research indicates it can significantly decrease blood sugar and may improve the conditions of those with diabetes, making it a valuable addition for managing this condition.
• Due to its isoflavones, Licorice Root acts as a phytoestrogen, aiding in the balance of hormones. This is particularly beneficial during menopause, as it can alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings by mimicking estrogen in the body.
• Licorice Root may offer relief from common menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood changes. Its properties help in managing the hormonal upheavals during menopause, providing a natural remedy to enhance the quality of life for affected women.

What is Licorice Root?

Licorice root, a magical herb sprouting from European and Asian soils, isn’t just a sweetener for your favorite beverages or candies. Brimming with over 300 chemical compounds, flavonoids, and a star component, glycyrrhizin, it’s a natural remedy with multiple health benefits.

Benefits of Licorice Root

This herb isn’t just for treating that occasional heartburn or a sore throat. Here’s what it can do:

• Combat ulcers: It boosts mucus production, comforting your stomach lining and keeping those nasty ulcers at bay.
• Kick infections to the curb: Its antibacterial properties show germs the door.
• Menopause relief: For women in their golden years, it helps manage those hot flashes and mood swings.
• Boosts organ health: Your gut, brain, and liver say a big thank you.
• Reduces inflammation: It soothes your gut, promoting a healthy digestive system.

Side Effects of Licorice Root

But before you rush to the nearest herbal store, a word of caution: licorice root isn’t all sweetness. Consuming too much of it can lead to health issues, including high blood pressure and low potassium levels, all because of a compound called glycyrrhizin. So, as with any supplement, it’s essential to have a chat with your healthcare provider before introducing licorice root into your regimen.

Weight Loss: Licorice Root as a Fat Burner

Now, let’s dive straight into the science of it. Licorice root contains a component known as glycyrrhetinic acid, proven to decrease body fat in several research studies.

15 participants of a study who consumed a daily dose of 3.5g of licorice for two months noticed that their body fat was decreasing even though their diet and exercise habits haven’t changed at all. Additionally, research has shown that applying licorice topically can reduce fat thickness on the thigh. Just picture yourself applying a licorice root cream and watching the fat melt away!

Another study found that people who took 900 mg of licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks experienced reductions in body weight and body mass index (BMI). Imagine standing on the scale, week after week, and watching those numbers gradually decrease!

Licorice Root just like other herbal plants- Valerian Root, Marshmallow Root, and Burdock Root helps in weight loss.

Blood Sugar: The Sweet News About Sweet Root

Licorice root might help with keeping blood sugar at healthy levels too.

In a fascinating study, scientists noticed that licorice root extract was able to reduce the harmful effects of diabetes in rats. After 60 days, the rats’ blood sugar levels normalized, their kidneys started working better, and they stopped losing weight so quickly.

Interestingly, for those battling skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, often linked with high blood sugar, this extract could help reduce inflammation, providing relief.

Another flowering plant- Yarrow – for lowering blood sugar.

Hormone Balance: A Phytoestrogen Powerhouse

Now, when we talk about balancing hormones, licorice root holds some intriguing properties. It contains isoflavones or phytoestrogens. These substances, found in plants, behave like estrogen in the body, potentially easing the discomfort from menopause and menstruation.

Scientists found a compound in licorice root, liquiritigenin, with estrogenic properties that don’t activate alpha estrogen receptors tied to breast tumor growth. This adds a safety layer to its use.

In a rather compelling study, scientists found that an extract from licorice root was able to enhance levels of calcium, estrogen, and progesterone in rats that had their ovaries removed. This research suggests that licorice root could play a meaningful role in hormone balance. In comparison, hops, another plant with estrogenic properties, contains 8-prenylnaringenin, one of the most powerful phytoestrogens known so far, proven to relieve menopausal symptoms in women.

Menopause: Soothing the Symptoms

Licorice root may be the natural remedy you’ve been searching for to help manage menopausal symptoms. Its phytoestrogen content can relieve symptoms such as hot flashes that are commonly associated with reduced estrogen levels during menopause.

In several studies, menopausal women who took licorice supplements reported a reduction in hot flash severity or duration. One research group found that licorice roots decreased the frequency and severity of hot flashes, making it a well-tolerated, inexpensive herbal option for menopausal women.

Check out this article to learn how Helena Bonham used HRT to manage her menopause symptoms.

Diet: Incorporating Licorice Root into Your Diet

So how do you incorporate this sweet, medicinal root into your diet?

You can enjoy it as tea, supplement, or even candy. But watch out for certain “licorice” products that actually contain anise oil, not real licorice. Try using licorice powder in your kitchen to add a unique twist to dishes like risotto, biscuits, and even ice cream. Or use it to flavor your stews and compotes. For a warm, soothing drink, make licorice tea with cinnamon stick and ginger root.

Dosage: Safe Licorice Root Dosages

Interactions: Licorice Root with Other Substances

While licorice root offers numerous benefits, it may interact with other supplements and medications, potentially causing unwanted side effects. Particularly, be cautious if you’re on ACE inhibitors, diuretics, aspirin, digoxin, corticosteroids, liver-processed medications, herbal laxatives, or cardiac medications. And as always, have a chat with your healthcare provider before adding it to your regimen.

Is Licorice Root in Your Menopause Health Plan?

So, are you keen on managing your weight, fine-tuning your hormones, or soothing your menopause symptoms? Then licorice root might be an herbal solution worth considering. But remember, it’s not a magic bullet. For the best health outcomes, complement it with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a good night’s sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)