St. Francis Licorice Liquid - 250ml

Licorice

Licorice is well known as a flavouring agent and you may not know that it has a rich history of medicinal use. Licorice is an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it helps people during stressful times and recovery from illness and fatigue. Studies show that licorice contains chemicals that have a structure that is similar to the steroid hormones. The end result is stimulation of the adrenal gland and activation of the body's energy reserves. This response keeps us safe, allowing us to fight for survival, or to flee from dangerous situations. It also increases heart rate; blood pressure and blood flow to the brain, muscles, lungs and heart.

Thus licorice leads to increased energy, mental performance and performance in physical tasks. This response can deplete the body after a while so licorice must be used in moderation. Licorice also contains substances that regulate blood sugar, which also helps its energy enhancing properties. Licorice is a demulcent, an agent that coats and protects mucosal surfaces. In the respiratory tract licorice decreases cough, speeds removal of mucus and helps to heal the tract. In the stomach and intestines DGL licorice protects the lining from ulceration. Licorice also has anti-inflammatory properties and weak estrogen hormonal balancing activity.

Natural health practitioners recommend licorice for a variety of needs including increased energy, stress,gastric and duodenal ulcers, colic, chronic gastritis, food poisoning, bronchitis, tuberculosis, sore throat, dry cough, bacterial and viral infections, arthritis, contact dermatitis, diabetes insipidus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), abscesses, cholestatic liver ailments, hypertonia (excessive muscle tone), hypokalemia (low blood potassium), and malaria. DGL licorice is recommended for stomach and intestinal ulcers





Benefits of Tinctures

Capsules, soft gels and tablets are very popular. Tinctures, however, have many advantages over these modes of delivery. The bio-availability of tinctures is very high in comparison, because unlike pills tinctures don't rely on digestion to break them down. Tinctures are readily absorbed by the body, beginning their work in the bloodstream almost as soon as they enter the mouth. Which is a very significant benefit. Note also that:

• Tinctures can be applied externally as well as internally


• Tinctures can be stored for long periods of time, even years, without loss of effectiveness


• Tinctures can be taken relatively accurately because they are administered in drops

Why are tinctures alcohol-based?

Not only is the alcohol in St. Francis tinctures indispensable for extracting the active ingredients of an herb, it is also needed to stabilize and preserve them. As well as limiting microbial activity, alcohol has the ability to inhibit enzymatic or hydrolytic reactions in plant extracts.

Alcohol plays the role of a carrier substance conveying active ingredients within the body. Beyond that, it has been scientifically proven that small amounts of alcohol actually enhance the immune system and its defenses.

The amount of alcohol taken in an average dose of tincture, you'll be surprised to learn, is about the same as what you'd find in an overly ripe banana!