Liquorice

[Smol]

Hi Guys
I stumbled upon this today and thought it was worth mentioning. Liquorice check out the comments at the bottom of the page. The poster (Olias) had already posted in a sensible way so I was more inclined to take this fairly seriously. In fact S*D it I'll quote the message

olias said on 11 October 2011
My daughter who has EDS III, has/ is still going through all the effects of this condition. Recently she has told me that she has started to feel a LOT better. She could'nt really understand why because although she has been trying to follow the pain management team's advice, ie. exercise etc. to build the muscles up, she had been feeling too ill and tired to do it properly. NOW she is able to follow their advice, and walk better, exercise ( carefully ). She tried to work out what was happening, and then it "clicked". One day a few weeks back, she had a craving for Licorice. She worked out that it was about a week after taking a few pieces regularly, that she was able to start to function better than she has done for years. She looked up the benefits of Licorice on the "web", and could'nt believe the benefits of it. She has colour back in her face, more energy, and also has been able to cut down on the prescribed painkiller Tramodol. Please look the benefits up on the web, and give it a try. I really hope it will help you all in the same way. Unbelievable I know, but what have you to lose?

How amazing would it be that something so simple as liquorice could help us bendies. I had a read up on it's health properties and there seemed to be some evidence that some of it's properties could indeed be beneficial. I'm going to visit my local health store this weekend and give it a try. I Love liquorice too, so even if it doesn't work it won't hurt.
Good luck to anyone else who gives this a bash, and please let me know if you find it beneficial at all!

[Eloise]

Here are some of its cosha documented pharmacological effects?

It has known anti-inflammotory action - great for those injured joints
It is good for increasing gut transist which is quite often a problem for bendies as well
It can also help increase blood pressure - again something we need
It can stabilize oestrogen levels - again hormones effect our joints!
Can be an antispasmodice - again useful

Also it is an expectorant and demulcent - great if you get a cold or chest infection

Its also very tasty

But please remember that too much of anything can have problems - high ingestion has resulted in problems such as:
Hypertension
electrolyte inbalances (s*d, potassium)
Lack of periods (due to effect on oestrogen)
Diarrhoea (well it is a laxative)
Weight gain (well it is yummy and contains calories - especially if consumed in sweets)

Also, due to its effect on hormones it is best not to consume large amounts in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

So as long as you a sensible with a moderate amount - then yes it won't hurt to try - but remember that anything that has an effect can also have unwanted effects.

[Smol]

Thanks Eloise
I'm definitely gonna give it a go, with caution of course.

[paw]

I read about the benefits a few years ago. I got a bag of Dutch licorice candy. I made sure it actually has licorice in it and not just artificial flavours. It tastes good and I enjoy eating it but saw absolutely no change in pain levels or increased energy or any of the other possible benefits. Maybe I don't eat enough. I go through phases where I remember it and start eating it more regularly but then I forget about it for a while.

I hope it does help some of you. Please post and let us know if you have good results or no results at all.

[gila]

thanks eloise for posting its effects!
(as diarrhoea-like stools are my normal... I wont be trying this )
xxg

[Smol]

Hi guys
@Gila mine are too, but since that's an effect of overuse I'm prepared to try it and hope the co-codamol keeps me regular like. I went and bought some big bags of the soft eating liquorice. Going to limit it to 1 portion 3 times a day and see how we go. I will keep you all posted.

[gila]

hey smol
as I dont take any pain meds that slow down gut transit and one of the good (for who needs it) effects is "increasing gut transit" ... (my transit is on the fast side)... I just dont think it's for me

but ever curious I will follow on here what it does for you
good luck!
xxg

[Smol]

1st update
was feeling pretty good, less painkillers, haven't needed my stick at all , more energy etc. Was really excited, but didn't know whether it was the Liquorice or the placebo effect, but happy none the less. Bowels have been a bit looser, but still manageable.
Yesterday I forgot to have any and I woke up today and I feel Like I've been hit with several sledge hammers. I'm absolutely kna****d, almost every bit of me hurts and I'm so tired. I have absolutely no idea if this is the drop in temp/air pressure or the lack of liquorice. I really wish I'd remembered to have some, then I wouldn't be in this quandary. Oh well back to the start I suppose. OH has promised me a roaring fire and a hot bath tonight. And one of the girls can make the spag bol.

[Smol]

Update time!
Been taking liquorice every day, but have not really noticed a great difference in how I feel, largely due to my all consuming headache. 8 weeks and counting!!! Turns out I have a sinus infection and my inner ear is blocked too. antibiotics are now on the daily menu alongside the diclofenac and co-codamol, and of course liquorice. I have had less hot flushes and no night sweats since. It doesn't seem to be helping with muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders and my guts have been giving it some, but my back and knees have been ok enough for me to take the dog out and walk to the GP's surgery.
I was talking to my mum today, who is currently on morphine tablets with oramorph to top up when needed. The last couple of days she said she hasn't needed the oramorph, but didn't know why. I jokingly asked if she's had any liquorice lately and blow me, it turned out she had, the day before she didn't need to top up. Her carer, overhearing this offered to go get her some more from the health food shop. She is now going to take it with her other medication regularly.She's now mad at me for not telling her about it sooner. I find it fascinating it can have such a great effect. in such a short time.
Now if only I can get rid of this damned headache!!!!

[fancypants]

I don't usually try all the different treatments unless they come from my own health professional (and sometimes not even then ). But this, this I am going to try. Slow gut transit is a big issue for me, has been for years, so it's not going to hurt if I get the "hurry ups".

Since sugar has inflammatory effects I wonder if having the licorice in sweets might not work quite as well...

[fancypants]

Fail on licorice...so far...

It has wheat in it (wheat intolerant here)
The "wheat free" version has corn & soy (yep, soy & corn intolerant too)
But I don't think I'll give up just yet...It comes as a tea (though mostly with other ingredients - often ones I can't tolerate), and it comes in capsules etc. I might just give the tea or caps a try.

Though the point of this exercise was me getting excited about being able to eat lots of sweet stuff & justify it as "medicine" . Once it's in a pill it's just medicine. That's no fun.

[paw]

I had the news on this evening and they came out with a warning regarding licorice. I hope it is allowed for me to quote part of the article, if not mods can remove the quoted part. Obviously a little licorice is not harmful and can even have good effects for some people, it is regular use or people with some health conditions that may be a problem. One question I have is since different brands and products are all made from different recipes, how can they say "5 pieces" is a serving? How can anyone know the correct amount to eat?

Fancypants I have some gluten free licorice Scottie Dogs (shape of candy is dogs) by Gimbals. It's made in the USA. It is soy free but has corn syrup in it. I think that some Dutch licorice is also gluten free.

mod edit - quote removed for copyright resons, using links is best

[Smol]

d**n it! just doesn't seem fair does it? what happens if you have a banana a day (potassium) to counteract the whadgamacallit that's in the liquorice?

[paw]

Smol not everyone will have the heart issues. I just thought it should be included in the discussion. I will continue to consider it candy and not medicine. If anyone has a heart issue they should talk to their doctor to see if it is safe for them to eat.

[trekster]

You can get licorice root extract tablets from a health food shop. Also if you have adrenal stress it can help with this.
Going to go back on it for a while but heard if you take the tablets for more than 6 weeks it can cause problems.