You come across real licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) more often in everyday life than you might think. Another name for the plant is liquorice. It is found in the sweet of the same name or in teas and medicines. The typical taste of liquorice comes from a sugar contained in the plant, which is fifty times sweeter than ordinary cane sugar.  

The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia. It has a long history as a medicinal remedy, dating back to ancient times in Egypt, China and Indian culture. It has traditionally been used to treat a variety of diseases, including lung, liver, circulatory and kidney diseases. It has also been used to increase appetite and for detoxification. Its versatile, effective effects have earned it the name “king of all herbs”.  

Nowadays, liquorice is used for various complaints, such as digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, coughs, and bacterial and viral infections. In 2012, it was even the medicinal plant of the year. In tablet form, it can also help prevent and relieve sore throats. The reasons why liquorice is excellent for coughs are the active ingredients it contains, which promote expectoration, are secretolytic, and are expectorant. Liquorice extracts have also been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have also shown that liquorice relieves symptoms of sore throats after surgery, as well as asthma.  

In addition to treating respiratory diseases, the active ingredients contained in it are also said to have the following properties:  

Atheroprotective:  

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and cholesterol-lowering properties reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, in which the arteries become narrowed and blocked by fatty deposits. Licorice extract can therefore prevent cardiovascular problems.  

Anticancer:  

In studies, active ingredients in licorice have inhibited the growth of various cancer cells such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and cancer of the digestive tract. In addition to the inhibition, an increase in the death of cancer cells was also observed.  

Anti-diabetic:  

Licorice extracts can potentially help with diabetes because they lower blood sugar.  

Liver-protective:  

The liver is responsible for many important processes, especially detoxification, and a healthy liver is therefore essential. Liver inflammations caused by toxins or viruses can be treated with an active ingredient in licorice. In Asia, licorice is therefore often used traditionally to treat liver diseases.  

Antibacterial & Antiviral:  

In experiments, extracts from licorice showed an antibacterial effect against gram-positive bacteria. The antiviral effect of the plant is particularly interesting in winter and at present. Studies have found an antiviral effect against herpes and influenza viruses. According to studies, licorice could also be effective against the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and could represent a prophylactic treatment option.  

For healthy stomach function:  

The anti-inflammatory, antigenotoxic and antioxidant properties of licorice help maintain healthy stomach function and prevent stomach ulcers. It can reduce the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane and oxidative tissue damage in certain stomach diseases and improve the healing of the mucous membrane. In India, licorice is therefore used in medicines for a healthy gastrointestinal tract. In Germany and France, the extract is also used in some products, such as teas, to support stomach function.  

Support in wound healing:  

In combination with other herbs, a study found the potential of licorice to promote wound healing.  

Possible side effects 

If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid excessive consumption of liquorice extracts, as liquorice can increase blood pressure. However, this should only be done if you consume more than 50 to 200 g per day for four weeks. In addition, people with heart and kidney problems should also avoid excessive consumption, as liquorice can reduce the potassium concentration in the body.  

In large quantities, licorice can lead to premature births or health problems in the child during pregnancy. Therefore, taking licorice during pregnancy is not recommended.  

Licorice should be used with caution in people with heart failure, kidney disease, or electrolyte imbalances. Long-term or high doses can lead to serious health problems  

Possible interactions  

Licorice may affect the effects of certain medications, including blood pressure medications, diuretics and steroids  

Other applications  

Licorice can be used in various forms, such as tea, tincture or capsules. To make tea, it is recommended to steep dried licorice roots in hot water for about 10 minutes. When using licorice in the kitchen, it can be used as a natural sweetener in desserts or drinks  

Which AgilNature® products contain licorice extract?  

*Nutrient Reference Value = percentage of the reference value according to Annex XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature:  

1. "Licorice root". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. August 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root (Accessed on January 19, 2024)  
2. Kuriyama A, Maeda H. Topical application of licorice for prevention of postoperative sore throat in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Anesth. 2019 May;54:25-32.  
3. Wahab S, Ahmad I, Irfan S, Siddiqua A, Usmani S, Ahmad MP. Pharmacological Efficacy and Safety of Glycyrrhiza glabra in the Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2022;22(11):1476-1494.  
4. Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, SS, Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, MF, Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, MS, & Amir, M. (2021). Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 2751.  
5. Markina YV, Kirichenko TV, Markin AM, Yudina IY, Starodubova AV, Sobenin IA, Orekhov AN. Atheroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Molecules. 2022 Jul 22;27(15):4697.  
6. Zhang B, Yan M, Zhang W, Ke ZY, Ma LG. Glycyrrhiza glabra suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation through inhibiting the expression of lncRNA, AK027294. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2020 Feb;84(2):314-320.  
7. Lu D, Yang Y, Du Y, Zhang L, Yang Y, Tibenda JJ, Nan Y, Yuan L. The Potential of Glycyrrhiza from "Medicine Food Homology" in the Fight against Digestive System Tumors. Molecules. 2023 Nov 22;28(23):7719.  
8. Elebeedy D, Ghanem A, Aly SH, Ali MA, Faraag AHI, El-Ashrey MK, Salem AM, Hassab MAE, Maksoud AIAE. Synergistic antiviral activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Glycyrrhiza glabra against Herpes Simplex-1 Virus (HSV-1) and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV): experimental and In Silico insights. BMC Microbiol. 2023 Jun 30;23(1):173.  
9. Rizvi ZA, Babele P, Sadhu S, Madan U, Tripathy MR, Goswami S, Mani S, Kumar S, Awasthi A, Dikshit M. Prophylactic treatment of Glycyrrhiza glabra mitigates COVID-19 pathology through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hamster model and NETosis. Front Immunol. 2022 Sep 27;13:945583.  
10. Soleiman-Meigooni S, Hoseini Yekta N, Sheikhan HR, Aminianfar M, Hamidi-Farahani R, Ahmadi M, Asgari A, Kazemi-Galougahi MH, Rahimi R. Efficacy of a standardized herbal formulation from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. as an adjuvant treatment in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled trial. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2022 Oct-Dec;13(4):100670.  
11. Gaur R, Yadav KS, Verma RK, Yadav NP, Bhakuni RS In vivo anti-diabetic activity of derivatives of isoliquiritigenin and liquiritigenin. Phytomedicine. 2014;21:415–422. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2013.10.015  
12. Jafari F, Jafari M, Moghadam AT, Emami SA, Jamialahmadi T, Mohammadpour AH, Sahebkar A. A review of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) effects on metabolic syndrome. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021;1328:385-400.  
13. El-Saber Batiha G, Magdy Beshbishy A, El-Mleeh A, Abdel-Daim MM, Prasad Devkota H. Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae). Biomolecules. 2020 Feb 25;10(3):352.  
14. Leite CDS, Bonafé GA, Carvalho Santos J, Martinez CAR, Ortega MM, Ribeiro ML. The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)-Derived Compounds in Intestinal Disorders. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Apr 8;23(8):4121.  
15. Aly SH, Elissawy AM, Mahmoud AMA, El-Tokhy FS, Mageed SSA, Almahli H, Al-Rashood ST, Binjubair FA, Hassab MAE, Eldehna WM, Singab AEB. Synergistic Effect of Sophora japonica and Glycyrrhiza glabra Flavonoid-Rich Fractions on Wound Healing: In Vivo and Molecular Docking Studies. Molecules. 2023 Mar 27;28(7):2994.  
16. Mamedov, N. A., & Egamberdieva, D. (2019). Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Licorice: A Review. Plant and Human Health, Volume 3: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_1  

Overview

Selenium belongs to the group of trace elements and must therefore be absorbed through food since the body cannot produce it itself. It is one of the vital trace elements. There are many stores of selenium in our body, including the liver, muscles, kidneys, blood plasma and other organs.  

Selenium as a component of many enzymes

Selenium's job is to be a component of many enzymes in our body and to enable their activity. It is therefore essential for many biological reactions in our body. Many enzymes that contain selenium have antioxidant effects and are therefore necessary to protect our cells from damage caused by radicals. Some selenium-containing enzymes are also involved in the balance of thyroid hormones and ensure healthy regulation. In men, one of the enzymes is involved in the formation of sperm and thus ensures properly regulated fertility . Other important roles are played in the immune system and brain function.  

Selenium – the most important tasks in brief  

The following selenium-related health claims have been evaluated and approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) through scientific studies:  

• Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis 
• Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair 
• Selenium helps maintain normal nails 
• Selenium contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system 
• Selenium contributes to the normal functioning of the thyroid gland 
• Selenium helps protect cells from oxidative stress 

Your daily need for selenium 

The German Nutrition Society recommends 70 µg selenium per day for men. Women and pregnant women should consume 60 µg of selenium per day, while breastfeeding women should consume 75 µg.  

Plant sources of selenium include cabbage (e.g. broccoli, white cabbage) and onion vegetables (e.g. garlic, onions) as well as mushrooms, asparagus and legumes such as lentils. Brazil nuts have a very high selenium content. However, since these also accumulate radioactive radium, they should only be consumed in small quantities. Because the selenium content in plants depends on the selenium content in the soil, the amount varies depending on the growing region. Compared to the USA, the soils in Europe are less rich in selenium.  

In the European Union, animal feed may be fortified with selenium. In Germany, animal foods such as meat and eggs as well as fish are the more reliable sources of selenium.  

Diet-related selenium deficiency only occurs in certain rural areas with low selenium content in the soil and predominantly consumption of regional products. This particularly affects regions at high altitudes in Central Africa and Asia. In Germany, this is generally not a danger and the risk of a selenium deficiency only exists in the case of diseases that lead to lower selenium utilization or increased selenium loss. Examples of this are chronic inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis or kidney failure and chronic dialysis.  

Be careful with too much selenium 

It is important to pay attention to your selenium intake, as too much selenium can be harmful. Consuming too much selenium can lead to selenosis, which manifests itself in neurological disorders, fatigue, joint pain, nausea and diarrhea. It is also accompanied by hair loss, impaired nail formation and a characteristic garlic-like smell in the air we breathe. Acute selenium poisoning caused by the intake of several grams of selenium can lead to heart failure.  

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an intake of 300 µg selenium per day is tolerable for adults without the risk of harmful side effects. Since most dietary supplements contain a maximum of 200 µg per day, it is unlikely that negative effects will occur from taking supplements in Europe if you follow the instructions when taking them.  

With our selenium-containing product DetoxAgil, the daily amount of selenium when taken as directed is 55 µg and therefore 5 times less than the maximum tolerable amount of selenium.  

How a selenium deficiency can manifest itself  

Since selenium is necessary as a building block in many different enzymes, a long-term lack of selenium intake can lead to numerous, diverse damages. Neurological disorders can occur, which can also manifest themselves in depressive or highly hostile behavior. A selenium deficiency impairs the immune system and muscle function and disrupts fertility in men. In addition, the thyroid hormone balance is impaired. The heart can also be at risk if there is a deficiency. In certain regions of China, deficiency diseases such as Keshan disease (heart muscle disease) or Kashin-Beck disease (joint changes, reduced bone growth) have occurred.  

Which AgilNature products contain selenium? 

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

Literature  

1. DGE (2018): Selected questions and answers about selenium. In: German Society for Nutrition e. V. (DGE). https://www.dge.de/index.php?id=356 (accessed on December 14, 2023) 
2. Zhang F, Li X, Wei Y. Selenium and Selenoproteins in Health. Biomolecules. 2023 May 8;13(5):799. 
3. Dou Q, Turanov AA, Mariotti M, Hwang JY, Wang H, Lee SG, Paulo JA, Yim SH, Gygi SP, Chung JJ, Gladyshev VN. Selenoprotein TXNRD3 supports male fertility via the redox regulation of spermatogenesis. J Biol Chem. 2022 Aug;298(8):102183. 
4. Shreenath AP, Hashmi MF, Dooley J. Selenium Deficiency. 2023 Oct 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. 
5. Biesalski, Hans Konrad; Bischoff, Stephan C.; Pirlich, Matthias; Weimann, Arved (ed.) (2018): Nutritional medicine. According to the nutritional medicine curriculum of the German Medical Association. With the collaboration of Michael Adolph, Jann Arends, Ulrike Arens-Azevêdo and Christine von Arnim. 5th, completely revised and expanded edition. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag. 
6. Johnson, Larry E.: Selenium. In: MSD Manual patient edition. Available online at https://www.msdmanuals.com/de-de/profi/nutrition-related-disorders/mineralstofflack-und-intoxikation/selen. (accessed on February 22, 2022)  
7. Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 (Health Claims) 

Origin and history

The real sage ( Salvia officinalis ) belongs to the mint family and originally comes from the Mediterranean region. However, there are many other types of sage and the flower color varies depending on the type. It grows as a shrub up to a height of 80 cm with its characteristic aromatic smell. Traditionally it has long been viewed as a remedy. The Latin name comes from the Latin word “salvarem”, which means to save and heal.  

Characteristics

Confirmed health effects of sage on humans, according to studies so far, include pain relief, especially for sore throats, improvement in blood sugar and blood fat, through an increase in the “good” fat HDL. Sage is also considered neuroprotective and another positive influence has been found: improved memory and cognitive abilities. Researchers have also investigated this in relation to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Here, too, patients showed an improvement in cognitive ability and memory, but more detailed studies are still needed to see sage as a real therapeutic option.  

Sage oil has a variety of health beneficial properties such as: antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-dementia, as well as regulating blood sugar and blood fat. The oil of another type of sage regulates menstruation, relieves tension and muscle cramps and regulates cortisol levels in women.  

Due to the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of sage extract, a study in mice showed that sage improves the course of chronic intestinal inflammation and could possibly also contribute to healing.  

Which AgilNature products contain sage? 

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature: 

1. Ellen Heidböhmer: The healing power of sage Antibacterial – Antiperspirant – Promotes digestion. Langen Mueller Herbig, 2016, ISBN 978-3-7766-8155-0  
2. Etheridge, C.J. (2021, October 4). A Science Review of Selected Essential Oils and their Botanical Ingredients. Focus on Essential Oils used for Respiratory and Calming Indications. https://www.gavinpublishers.com/article/view/a-science-review-of-selected-essential-oils-and-their-botanical-ingredients.-focus-on-essential-oils-used-for-respiratory -and-calming#  
3. Babar Ali, Naser Ali Al-Wabel, Saiba Shams, Aftab Ahamad, Shah Alam Khan, Firoz Anwar, Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, Volume 5, Issue 8, 2015, Pages 601 -611, ISSN 2221-1691.  
4. Jakovljević M, Jokić S, Molnar M, Jašić M, Babić J, Jukić H, Banjari I. Bioactive Profile of Various Salvia officinalis L. Preparations. Plants (Basel). 2019 Mar 6;8(3):55  
5. Faridzadeh A, Salimi Y, Ghasemirad H, Kargar M, Rashtchian A, Mahmoudvand G, Karimi MA, Zerangian N, Jahani N, Masoudi A, Sadeghian Dastjerdi B, Salavatizadeh M, Sadeghsalehi H, Deravi N. Neuroprotective Potential of Aromatic Herbs: Rosemary , Sage, and Lavender. Front Neurosci. 2022 Jun 28;16:909833.  
6. Dinel AL, Lucas C, Guillemet D, Layé S, Pallet V, Joffre C. Chronic Supplementation with a Mix of Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia Improves Morris Water Maze Learning in Normal Adult C57Bl/6J Mice. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 15;12(6):1777.  
7. Miroddi, M., Navarra, M., Quattropani, MC, Calapai, F., Gangemi, S., & Calapai, G. (2014). Systematic review of clinical trials assessing pharmacological properties of Salvia species on memory, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 20(6), 485–495.  
8. Jalalipour M, Yegdaneh A, Talebi A, Minaiyan M. Salvia officinalis leaf extracts protect against acute colitis in rats. Res Pharm Sci. 2022 Jul 14;17(4):350-359.