Treatment with medicinal plants has not lost its popularity even with the current level of development of medicine. For the treatment of various diseases, preparations based on plant extracts are used. One of the most commonly used is licorice root. Syrup from it is sold in any pharmacy. It is often prescribed by doctors for colds and coughs, even for young children. This drug is one of the most common expectorant.
general characteristics
The root of the plant, known as licorice or licorice, has long been used in folk medicine. It is considered the best expectorant, and is also valued for its anti-inflammatory properties. On sale, you can buy a dry extract of the plant and use it to prepare decoctions. But most commonly used is licorice root syrup.
It is packaged in 50 and 100 mg vials. Syrup is a thick brown liquid with a sweet taste and a peculiar smell. The basis of its composition is sugar syrup, which contains 86%. 10% is alcohol, and only 4% is a thick extract of licorice.
The effectiveness of the drug is explained by the substances contained in this plant. First of all, it is glycyrrhizic acid. This substance is similar in its properties to steroid hormones. In addition, licorice root syrup contains essential oils, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, resins, organic acids, coumarin. Due to this composition, the drug has expectorant, laxative, antispasmodic and regenerative effects. Therefore, it is used for a variety of pathologies.
What effect does it have?
The widespread use of licorice root syrup in medicine is due to its unique properties. Glycyrrhizic acid - the main active ingredient of the drug - has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. In this way, it is similar to steroid hormones, for example, cortisone. Licorice root relieves inflammation and swelling, but mainly affects the mucosa of the respiratory and digestive tracts. With internal use, the drug has the following effect:
- helps to thin and remove sputum from the respiratory tract;
- cleanses the intestines and helps get rid of constipation;
- relieves headaches for colds;
- relieves cramping in the gastrointestinal tract;
- stimulates regeneration processes, restoring the cells of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and skin;
- cleans the airways from viruses and bacteria;
- lowers cholesterol;
- improves the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels;
- prevents the appearance of tumors.
Indications for use
Licorice root syrup is better known as an expectorant. It is most often prescribed for colds to alleviate dry cough. Moreover, it is no less effective than expensive modern medicines. And even small children are prescribed it, since it practically does not cause side effects. But the use of licorice root is not limited to the treatment of colds. The therapeutic properties of the drug allow it to be used in the complex treatment of many pathologies:
- with flu, SARS;
- with bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma;
- with tracheitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis;
- with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer outside the period of exacerbation;
- with constipation and decreased bowel function;
- in case of chemical poisoning;
- with parasitic infections;
- with pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, cystitis;
- to strengthen immunity, improve metabolic processes, increase efficiency;
- externally to remove age spots and skin whitening.
Contraindications
For some reason, it is believed that all herbal preparations are absolutely safe. But this is not so. Despite the large number of useful properties of licorice root syrup, the instruction warns against its use in such cases:
- with diabetes, it can not be used due to the presence of sugar in the preparation;
- during pregnancy, it can cause hormonal disruptions, increased uterine tone and bleeding;
- with hypertension can lead to increased pressure, as it has a tonic effect;
- with individual intolerance can cause a severe allergic reaction;
- if it is necessary to use diuretics, potassium may be washed out of the body.
Contraindications include: bleeding disorders, serious liver diseases, hypokalemia, heart rhythm disturbances. But negative phenomena can be avoided if you take the drug as prescribed by your doctor.
Side effects
Negative reactions after application of licorice root are rare. If you take it as directed by a doctor, taking into account contraindications and the age of the patient, then the treatment takes place without side effects. But allergic reactions in the form of skin itching, rash, redness of the skin are possible. Sometimes heartburn, nausea, and digestive disorders also occur. Prolonged use of the drug or its overdose can cause hypokalemia, increased blood pressure, heart pain, and the appearance of edema. It can be especially dangerous when taking diuretics, as this leads to a decrease in the level of potassium in the blood. In addition, caution should be used in licorice root syrup for men. It contains estrogen-like substances, so it can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels.
Instructions for use licorice root syrup
The product has a pleasant smell and sweet taste. Therefore, its use usually does not cause problems even in children. But some people cannot swallow sweet syrup, as they do not like its specific taste and smell. Therefore, it is recommended to dilute the prescribed dose in half a glass of warm water or tea. Usually, the dosage is prescribed individually depending on the condition of the patient. The instruction for licorice root syrup recommends taking it 5 ml three times a day. This is about 1-2 tablespoons. It is best to drink the medicine after eating, drinking plenty of water, or half an hour before eating. It is especially important to drink more fluid in the treatment of cough, as it helps to remove phlegm. The course of treatment with licorice root syrup is usually 1-2 weeks. Taking the drug longer is not recommended. If no improvement is observed, more serious drugs should be prescribed.
The use of licorice root syrup in children
Most often, this drug is used to treat colds in children. It is the form of the syrup that is especially convenient for the child because of its sweet taste and ease of dosage. After all, not all children can swallow a pill, especially when they have a sore throat. And this drug can be diluted in juice, tea or just in water.
In the instructions for use of licorice root syrup, children are recommended to give 2.5 ml, that is, about a teaspoon. The drug is diluted in 50 ml of liquid and give the child a drink 3 times a day. The course of treatment is usually a week.
But such a dosage is acceptable for a child older than 3 years. After all, the instruction does not recommend the use of licorice root syrup for younger children. Although children's doctors often prescribe the drug, even to infants. But this requires an individual dosage in drops. Usually give a child 1-2 drops of syrup diluted in a spoonful of water.
Reviews
Licorice root syrup quickly helps get rid of cough and alleviates the condition with colds, bronchitis. In the reviews, it is noted that this tool even eases the smoker's cough, helping to discharge sputum. Licorice also facilitates the condition for allergic diseases. Moreover, the drug is inexpensive - from 25 to 50 rubles, depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, instead of expensive modern medicines, which also often cause side effects, many buy licorice root. And with colds or bronchitis, even doctors prescribe it. But it is worth remembering that it is better to use the drug as part of a comprehensive treatment. And if no improvement is observed after a week of therapy, you can no longer drink it, since the action should occur almost immediately.