(Liquorice Root.)

Origin. - The dried root of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., or of Glycyrrhiza glandu-lifera (Waldstein et Killaibel), a perennial plant indigenous in the countries lying on the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean and farther east through the Caucasus, Northern Persia, Afghanistan, and Southern Siberia to China, and cultivated to some extent in England, France, Germany, and the United States.

Description and Properties. - In long, cylindrical pieces, from 1/4 to 1 inch (6-25 Mm.) thick, longitudinally wrinkled, externally grayish-brown, warty; internally tawny yellow, pliable, tough; fracture coarsely fibrous; bark rather thick; wood porous, but dense in the narrow wedges; medullary rays linear; taste sweet, somewhat acrid. The underground stem, which is often present, has the same appearance, but contains a thin pith.

The drug derived from the G. glandulifera (so-called Russian liquorice) consists usually of roots or root branches 1-4 inches (2-10 Cm.) thick and 8-12 inches (15-30 Cm.) long, frequently deprived of the corky layer, the wood rather soft and usually more or less cleft.

Liquorice contains a glycoside, glycyrrhizin, besides asparagin, glycyramarin, an acrid resin, starch, gum, etc.

Dose. - 15-60 grains (1-4 Gm.) [30 grains (2 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Fluidextractum Glycyrrhizae - Fluidextracti Glycyrrhizae - Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza. - Dose, 15-60 minims (1.0-4.0 Cc).

Extraxtum Glycyrrhizae - Extracti Glycyrrhizae - Extract of Glycyrrhiza. -Dose, freely. (Extract of glycyrrhiza is contained in trochisci ammonii chloridi and trochisci glycyrrhizae et opii.)

Extraxtum Glycyrrhizae Purum - Extraxti Glycyrrhizae Puri - Pure Extract of Glycyrrhiza. - Dose, freely.

Glycyrrhizinum Ammoniatum - Glycyrrhizini Ammoniati - Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin. - Description and Properties. - Dark-brown or brownish-red scales, without odor and having a very sweet taste; readily soluble in water and alcohol.

Dose. - 5-15 grains (0.3-1.0 Gm.) [4 grains (0.25 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Mistura Glycyrrhizae Composita - Mistura Glycyrrhizae Compositae - Compound Mixture of Glycyrrhiza (Brown Mixture). - Formula: Pure extract of glycyrrhiza, 30; syrup, 50; acacia, 30; camphorated tincture of opium, 120; wine of antimony, 60; spirit of nitrous ether, 30; water, to 1000.

Dose. - 1-4 fluidrams (4.0-15.0 Cc.) [2 fluidrams (8 Cc), U. S. P.].

Pulvis Glycyrrhizae Compositus - Pulveris Glycyrrhizae Compositi - Compound Powder of Glycyrrhiza.(See Senna.)

Besides the foregoing compounds, glycyrrhiza forms an ingredient of eleven other official preparations.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - The drug when chewed increases the flow of saliva. It is demulcent and laxative, and possesses slight stimulating properties when locally applied. It favors the secretions of the congested mucous membrane of the respiratory passages.

Liquorice is used chiefly for its demulcent properties in sore throat, hoarseness, pharyngeal cough, acute bronchitis, etc. It has no general action. It is nothing more than a pleasant-tasting demulcent, but, being so frequently combined with cough mixtures, has acquired a vicarious reputation as an expectorant. The compound mixture is a very efficient remedy in bronchitis.

The various preparations of liquorice are serviceable in concealing the taste of nauseous and bitter medicines and as an excipient for pills.

Administration. - There are no special directions to be given -any of the preparations may be used.