Homeopathic ways for using Licorice

I found out while doing a live search on ChaCha.com that licorice can be used for something other than candy. Licorice is is normally used in candies like twizzlers, or jelly beans or gummy bears and other candies that I have not tried yet. There are in fact other uses for it. First of all, let me explain exactly what licorice is. Licorice is really a member of the pea family, and licorice root was used in ancient times as food and as a medicine. The Chinese used it in nearly all of their formulas to harmonize other separate herbs involved. Licorice contains an ingredient called glycyrrhizin. If this ingredient is taken in high doses the effects can be similar to those of the natural hormone aldosterone, which can cause fluid retention, increase blood pressure, and loss of potassium. To prevent this from happening now a days manufactures have found a way to remove glycyrrhizin from licorice, which produces the safer product delcyrrhizinated licorice.

Licorice is used today for treatment of an array of medical diseases or disorders. It has been used as a replacement of hydrocortizone in the treatment of eczema, ulcer treatment and ulcer prevention. The studies show that it can prevent ulcers cased by aspirin or other anti inflammatory drugs. As with the use of taking any type of drug there are some risks involved that you should know about. If you are taking digoxin, long term use of taking licorice can be very dangerous. Continued use of licorice can cause loss of fluid and potassium. The use of licorice can increase positive and negative effects for people who use corticosteroid treatments. It is not advised to use licorice internally when taking corticosteroids. I think that we are all just starting to find out what people did with herbs that we aren't very familiar with. I am always ready to learn new things.