One of the most popular expectorant drugs of natural origin is licorice syrup, instructions for use, reviews of which are given in the article. Expectorant anti-inflammatory properties of licorice allow the use of this tool for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Prescribe the drug for adults and children over a year old. Despite the fact that licorice syrup is described as safe and non-toxic by the instructions for use, it can be used only as directed by a doctor.
general characteristics
Licorice root syrup is a thick concentrate of licorice root extract. It has a natural sweet taste and a dark brown color. Syrup is packaged in dark glass bottles of 100 ml. Its cost depends on the manufacturer, but usually does not exceed 50 rubles. You can buy this medication in any pharmacy, it is sold without a doctor’s prescription.
This is a plant-based drug. Licorice root, or licorice, has long been used in folk medicine to treat many pathologies. Official medical science has also proven its healing properties. Now it is often used to get rid of cough and treat some other diseases.
What is included in its composition?
The main component of the drug is licorice root extract. Its basis is ethyl alcohol, sugar syrup is also added. But these are auxiliary components, licorice extract has the main effect. Its properties are associated with a rich composition. Many different biologically active compounds are found in this plant. First of all, it is glycyrrhizic acid. It is this substance that has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, licorice root contains saponins, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, steroids, polysaccharides, essential oils, organic acids, many vitamins and minerals.
What effect does
Instructions for use of licorice syrup notes that its effectiveness is explained by its special composition. Due to the presence of glycyrrhizic acid and flavonoids, the drug has anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic effects. He is able to expand the lumen of the bronchi and dilute sputum, removing it from the bronchi. This makes coughing easier for respiratory diseases.
A wealth of clinical experience has proven that licorice syrup improves the patient's immunity and protects the body from pathogenic microorganisms. In this preparation, there are also plant analogues of estrogen. Thanks to them, it normalizes the hormonal balance of women and the menstrual cycle. In addition, instructions for use for licorice syrup notes that it has such an effect:
- accelerates recovery from viral diseases, and is effective even with herpes;
- normalizes digestion;
- accelerates the restoration of tissues of the mucous membrane of the digestive and respiratory organs;
- has an antispasmodic effect;
- lowers cholesterol;
- prevents the development of cancerous tumors;
- neutralizes toxins;
- calms the nervous system.
Indications for treatment
Most commonly used is licorice cough syrup. The instructions for use note that its properties allow it to be used as the only therapeutic agent in mild cases or as part of complex therapy. Prescribe the drug in cases where it is necessary to facilitate the expectoration of difficult sputum. Its use is advisable for such pathologies:
- colds and viral diseases;
- tracheitis, laryngitis;
- acute and chronic bronchitis;
- smoker's cough;
- pneumonia;
- bronchiectatic disease;
- bronchial asthma;
- Addison's disease.
In addition, this drug is often used during remission for diseases of the digestive system to accelerate the regeneration of the mucosa. It is part of the complex treatment of rheumatism, gout, gynecological pathologies. This drug is often chosen for airway sanitation before and after surgery. A feature of licorice to improve metabolic processes and digestion, as well as cleanse the body of toxins is used by some women who want to lose weight.
Contraindications and side effects
Instructions for use of licorice syrup notes that this is a low-toxic agent that practically does not cause side effects and has no contraindications. Among the possible negative effects, heartburn, nausea, and abdominal pain are most often observed. Sometimes there may be an indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea. And in the presence of individual intolerance, allergic reactions occur in the form of a rash, skin itching. Prolonged use of the drug or exceeding the indicated dosage can lead to the appearance of hypokalemia and disruption of water-salt metabolism, which may result in an increase in blood pressure and the appearance of edema.
You can not take this drug in the presence of individual intolerance to the components of the drug, as well as in children up to one year. It is undesirable to conduct treatment during an exacerbation of gastritis or gastric ulcer, as well as with pathologies of the liver and kidneys. In bronchial asthma, syrup treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, since it cannot be prescribed together with antitussive drugs. And because of the estrogen-like action of licorice, you can not use it during pregnancy. For the same reason, one should refrain from using it for men with problems in their sexual lives. In addition, the presence of sugar syrup in the drug makes it impossible to receive it with patients with diabetes mellitus. In this case, licorice root can be used, but only as an extract.
Licorice syrup: instruction for use
It is recommended to take the drug three times a day. The required amount of syrup is added to half a glass of water and the resulting solution is drunk. You can also immediately lick the syrup from a spoon, but you must immediately drink it with water. The more it is, the better the expectorant properties of the drug will manifest themselves. Instructions for use of licorice syrup for adults recommends drinking a dessert spoon. The course of treatment is usually 10-14 days, but it can be completed earlier if the cough is completely gone. If necessary, on the recommendation of a doctor, they undergo longer treatment.
If the patient also uses other drugs, a doctor should be warned about this. This drug is incompatible with diuretics, cardiac glycosides, hormones, and laxatives. You can also not apply licorice as part of complex therapy in conjunction with other antitussive drugs.
Instructions for use of licorice syrup for children
The effectiveness of this tool in the treatment of dry and wet cough has long been proven. Moreover, positive feedback about it is left by both the parents of the kids and the doctors. It is not recommended that you only use it to treat children under one year old. Instructions for use of licorice syrup pay attention not to the fact that it contains ethyl alcohol, which can harm the baby.
For children from one to two years, the drug is given 1-2 drops 2-3 times a day. They can be added to water or juice. Children aged 2 to 12 years can already be given half a teaspoon, and at an older age - a whole spoon. Take syrup three times a day for 7-10 days.
Reviews on the use of the drug
Despite the fact that a lot of modern expectorant drugs have appeared recently, licorice syrup is still one of the most popular medicines for treating cough. Basically, people say that this drug is effective for colds and viral diseases. Moreover, licorice syrup has been used for a long time, but even doctors still prescribe it as part of a comprehensive treatment. People like that the drug tastes good, very rarely causes side effects and is relatively inexpensive. But its effectiveness is high - it quickly helps to remove phlegm, and the cough passes.