Glycyrrhiza glabra: licorice, a natural ally for your pet's digestive health.

What is licorice? Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) is a medicinal plant used since ancient times in various cultures for its therapeutic properties. It is a perennial plant native to southern Europe and western Asia.

Its root contains bioactive compounds such as glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and saponins, which give it anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and mucosal-protecting properties. These characteristics have been exploited in traditional and modern medicine to treat various conditions, especially those related to the digestive system.

Digestive health benefits.

1. Protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Licorice acts as a demulcent, forming a protective layer over the mucosa of the digestive tract. This helps prevent and relieve irritation, ulcers, and gastritis, promoting more comfortable digestion for your pet.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties. Licorice compounds, especially glycyrrhizin, have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, being beneficial in cases of colitis or inflammatory bowel diseases.
3. Antimicrobial action. Licorice has antimicrobial properties that promote a healthy balance of intestinal microbiota, fighting pathogenic bacteria and promoting beneficial bacteria.
4. Relief from digestive disorders. Thanks to its antispasmodic properties, licorice can relieve symptoms such as gas, bloating, and colic.

Sources:

Murugan, S.K., Bethapudi, B., Raghunandhakumar, S., et al. (2022). A flavonoid rich standardized extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra protects intestinal epithelial barrier function and regulates the tight-junction proteins expression. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 22, 38.

Xie, Y., Jiang, M., Sun, D., Wang, L., Wang, L., & Shi, X. (2024). The Antibacterial Mechanism of Glycyrrhizic Acid and Its Derivatives. Microorganisms, 12(6), 1155.

Yang, R., Yuan, BC, Ma, Y.S., Zhou, S., & Liu, Y. (2017). The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice, a widley used Chinese herb. Pharmaceutical Biology, 55(1), 5-18.