Licorice is a therapeutic herb that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The licorice plant grows throughout Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean.
Why supplement with licorice?
Licorice root has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties and can be used to treat a variety of conditions, from asthma to arthritis.
Here at Human Performance Hub, we use licorice primarily because it’s an adaptogenic herb that provides excellent support for the adrenal glands and potentially helps manage stress.
A common problem we encounter is morning tiredness and fatigue. This is often the result of prolonged stress and the subsequently reduced function of the adrenals. A key indicator of this is a high umbilical skin fold ( belly fat ). You see this because there are more cortisol receptors in the umbilical adipose tissue.
If everything is working as it should, cortisol production should peak between 6-8 am, giving you incredible energy and alertness to kick start your day. Cortisol production should then steadily decrease over the course of the day, dropping to its lowest at night to allow you to produce melatonin and subsequently get a good night sleep.
Poor lifestyle choices and abundant stress can sometimes affect overworking our adrenals, throwing out our natural cortisol curve.
By supplementing with licorice for a short period, we can help stimulate the production of cortisol at the right time of day, thus helping to re-set a healthy cortisol curve.
Dosage of Licorice
Everybody responds to licorice differently; for this reason, we like to start with a low dose and gradually build up depending on the effect. Start with taking 1 ml of licorice or 1 capsule first thing in the morning. If there are no noticeable effects, then take 2 ml or 2 capsules the following morning, repeat this until you take 8 ml or 4 capsules. If you start to feel jittery and wired, then reduce the dose by 1 ml or 1 capsule the following day.
Once you have finished the tub, you need to wait at least 30 days before using licorice again due to its adaptogenic nature.
Consultations
We’re always here to help. If you have any questions or would like advice on nutrition, supplements or training, please book in for a consultation.
Further reading to help with energy
- Supplementation: The benefits of L-carnitine
- Carnitine Complex
- Nutrition – Why does a good breakfast benefit my health?
- Kickstart your day with salt and lime water for massive health benefits
Always speak with your physician or another healthcare professional before taking any nutritional & lifestyle changes or before taking any nutritional supplement. For more information, please view our terms and conditions.
