Licorice Root for Depression
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), also known as Sweetwood, Liquorice, and Licorice, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to Asia and Southern Europe. It is considered to be a part of the legume family due to the oblong, seed producing fruit pods that it bears. The licorice plant itself can grow up to 1 meter in height and it produces long flowers that are purplish in color
Licorice Root, as an herbal supplement or remedy, has been found to have excellent healing properties for several ailments, including depression. It contains a compound that is called glycyrrhizin that inhibits the breakdown of the hormone Cortisol, the hormone that helps the body better deal with stress. It also contains several substances such as isoflavan and isoflavene that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, making it ideal for treating the symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
Licorice Root can be purchased in just about any form you could imagine including lozenges, extracts, capsules, powder, dried root, and tea. As is the case with any herbal medicine, you should check with a physician before you even thinking about trying it. Licorice Root does have some side effects that could be dangerous, especially for those that have osteoporosis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or who may be pregnant. Some of the more common side effects include water retention, upper abdominal pain, headache, shortness of breath, and stiffness. With prolonged use, meaning more than four to six weeks, some people experience a rise in blood pressure, water retention, sodium retention, low calcium levels, and a low potassium level.