Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) - a potent medicinal herb  

Monica Damle

ABSTRACT: There  is  an  increasing  demand  for  herbal  medicines,  health  products,  pharmaceuticals.  Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn is a plant used in traditional medicine across the world for its ethnopharmacological value. It is found to contain important phytoconstituents such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid, glabrin A and B and isoflavones. It is effectively used as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, anti- viral,  anti-ulcer,  antitussive,  anti-oxidant,  skin  whitening,  anti-diuretic  agent.  The  present  article  is  an effort  to  compile  the  available  literature  on  Glycyrrhiza  glabra  with  respect  to  its  traditional  uses, bioactive  constituents  and  pharmacologic  activities.  This  may  be  useful  in  discovering  potential therapeutic effects and developing new formulations.  

Keywords: Glycyrrhiza glabra, glycyrrhizin, antitussive, anti-oxidant, skin lightening