Any expectant mother tries to create the most comfortable conditions for her baby, sacrificing her usual routine and life habits.
However, not everything and not always depends on the woman herself, because during the period of pregnancy her immunity weakens. It is for this reason that a woman becomes easy prey for various kinds of diseases, especially viral ones. Completely isolating oneself from the source of the disease during the season of acute respiratory diseases is something out of fantasy, so a woman has to solve problems as they arise. Taking conventional medications without consulting a doctor for colds is strictly contraindicated. And in general, most of the medications that you used before pregnancy are completely unacceptable now.
For obvious reasons, women try in every possible way to avoid treatment with chemicals, often turning to traditional medicine recipes for help. And those, in turn, turn out to be not as harmless as they might seem at first glance. In this article we will talk about licorice root. Is licorice root allowed during pregnancy and what is it used for?
Pros and cons
In fact, the first remedy that comes to mind when you have a sore throat is licorice. However, during pregnancy its use is questionable. At the same time, traditional healers say that it is absolutely safe for women and fetuses. However, traditional doctors do not prescribe licorice roots to women in an interesting position. During pregnancy, despite the fact that this remedy is completely natural, according to doctors, its use is strictly prohibited. However, the reasons for this are usually not explained. Let's try to understand this issue.
Properties of a medicinal plant
Before making a final decision, let's first understand the properties of licorice. Many people use roots during pregnancy out of habit, without thinking at all about the fact that today the body is undergoing significant changes. Even the most harmless medicine can have a significant impact on the development of the baby, so it is necessary to understand very well how it will affect the body.
The licorice root system has a wide range of beneficial effects. It has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, mucolytic, wound-healing, choleretic properties. Based on this, it is possible to determine the range of uses of licorice. The roots are used during pregnancy when the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, but most often it is a real salvation for acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, in which it is used as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent. However, so far we have not seen anything that could be alarming, so far it seems that it is quite possible to use licorice root during pregnancy.
What are the benefits of licorice?
Licorice root contains flavone glycosides and glycyrrhizic acid salts, which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, choleretic, expectorant, anti-tuberculosis and healing effects. Most often, a syrup is made from this medicinal plant, which can be given even to children for colds.
Most often, licorice-based medications are prescribed to patients with respiratory tract diseases (chronic and acute bronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchopneumonia). Since this remedy helps to liquefy sputum, activates the work of the cilia of the epithelium of the bronchi and trachea, as a result of which sputum is more easily removed from the body, reduces the duration of coughing attacks, promotes the healing of small wounds caused by excessive coughing, and also has a disinfectant effect.
Oddly enough, it is not recommended to use , and we will tell you why.
The main arguments of doctors
We have already indicated that doctors categorically do not recommend its use for expectant mothers. Moreover, this could be a categorical prohibition or a more loyal recommendation to use with caution. We will give three main reasons why licorice root syrup is prohibited during pregnancy. The fact is that substances obtained from licorice root can change water-salt metabolism in the body. That is, even with normal functioning of the kidneys, swelling is possible, which is completely unnecessary during the period of bearing a baby.
There is another reason. Licorice root syrup during pregnancy can lead to activation of the hormonal system. There is no need to explain that this is not only not useful, but also extremely dangerous. These reasons apply to both the roots themselves and the syrup.
However, one cannot fail to mention the last reason. The syrup contains alcohol, which is undesirable for the unborn baby. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause irreparable harm to a growing body.
Is it possible to drink licorice syrup during pregnancy?
Licorice (the identical name for licorice) is characterized by a wide range of benefits; it helps with gastrointestinal diseases, nervous disorders, viral infections, and skin damage.
However, it is contraindicated for pregnant women due to the following circumstances:
- the concentration of active components in the body provokes hormonal activity , which increases the risk of spontaneous abortion;
- contributes to disruption of water and mineral metabolism in organs, the consequences of which manifest themselves in the form of swelling, late toxicosis, and in the worst case, the development of eclampsia (high blood pressure, which poses a threat to the health of the mother and unborn child).
Licorice syrup is strictly prohibited during the first trimester of pregnancy . From weeks 1 to 13, the laying and formation of organs and systems of the unborn baby occurs, when the impact of negative factors is extremely undesirable.
The 2nd trimester allows the use of a medicinal product to relieve cough, thin sputum, regenerate laryngeal tissue, and cleanse the respiratory tract.
Licorice root will be useful for patients who want to lose excess weight
The decision on the advisability of using the drug is made by the doctor based on the patient’s medical history, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body.
For reference! Analogues of plant origin in the treatment of respiratory diseases include mustard plasters, chest and expectorant mixtures.
The pharmacological product inhibits the activity of the adrenal glands, the production of hormones, and promotes the active production of estrogen . An increase in the amount of the hormone in the blood leads to the development of pathological disorders and threatens the health and life of the baby.
When using the drug, complications may arise in the form of gestosis , so the 3rd trimester of pregnancy excludes the possibility of using licorice.
Patients diagnosed with the following abnormalities are at risk:
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity degrees 1,2,3,4;
- low concentration of ions in the blood (hypokalemia);
- hypertensive pathologies.
The syrup is not intended to be taken during breastfeeding or in case of individual intolerance to certain components.
Find out here whether treatment with honey and radish is beneficial during pregnancy
Exceptions to the rules
In fact, every rule exists to be broken. Very often, doctors have to assess the possible risks for the mother and child and, based on this, make a final decision. A doctor can prescribe licorice root only if other remedies are for some reason prohibited or prove powerless. However, keep in mind that female representatives should use this medicine only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Complications of pregnancy while taking the drug
What else is dangerous about licorice root during pregnancy? The instructions warn that you need to be as careful as possible. Licorice can cause uterine bleeding. Therefore, if a pregnant woman is at risk of miscarriage or other pathologies, be sure to refuse this medication. If the intake is agreed upon with the attending physician, then it is necessary to start with minimal dosages and constantly monitor your condition. If you experience nausea or dizziness, liver dysfunction or joint pain, you should immediately stop taking it and consult a doctor. Remember that each of these symptoms can develop into a serious illness, which is extremely undesirable during pregnancy.
Licorice during pregnancy
Benefits and indications
Medicines with licorice are most often used for respiratory diseases. For coughs, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, the product helps thin mucus.
As a result of use, the number of coughing attacks decreases and a disinfectant effect is present.
Despite the beneficial properties of licorice root during a cold, a woman in an interesting position should not use it .
When treating diseases of the respiratory system, you should consult a doctor managing your pregnancy.
You should not take any medications without permission, even if they seem safe.
Harm and contraindications
It has side effects , due to which its use orally is not recommended during pregnancy.
If you take medicines based on licorice root for a long time, a pregnant woman may encounter the following problems:
- increased blood pressure;
- hypokalemia;
- dysfunction of the liver and kidneys;
- allergic reactions.
Such conditions can harm the favorable course of pregnancy. But one of the most serious consequences of using licorice root is a violation of the water-salt balance.
The condition causes severe swelling and can lead to a pathology such as gestosis. Edema complicates bearing a baby, and gestosis can lead to the onset of premature labor.
There is another harmful effect from taking this root while pregnant. The herbal preparation has an effect on the adrenal cortex, and therefore produces some hormones .
Due to the consumption of licorice root, the main hormone of pregnant women, estrogen, increases . Any excess of hormones in the body has a negative impact on the proper development of the fetus.
The root of the plant should not be used during pregnancy . Aggravating factors also include:
- high blood pressure;
- individual intolerance;
- acute heart failure;
- severe obesity;
- hypokalemia.
Main contraindications
It must be remembered that this remedy should not be used during breastfeeding either. And even after its completion, it is necessary to take into account that licorice root, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which have been known since ancient times, cannot be used by everyone. It should not be used for third degree obesity. If you have arterial hypertension, then you should also refrain from taking licorice. It is very important to consult a specialist if you have organic damage to the kidneys and liver. Of course, you need to be very careful if there is a possibility of developing allergic reactions. If you have diabetes, you should not consume either fresh roots or syrups. In general, if you plan to use licorice root, the medicinal properties and contraindications must be carefully analyzed and weighed.
Instructions for use
The use of syrup during pregnancy is prohibited
Licorice root is taken in the form of a decoction.
To prepare it you will need 1 tablespoon of dry raw materials, 200 grams of boiling water, and boil the decoction for 3 minutes in a water bath.
The herb is filtered through a sieve or cheesecloth; another 20 grams of water must be added to the resulting liquid.
Pharmacies sell licorice root packaged in filter bags. For 200 grams of water, take 3 filter bags and leave for 20 minutes.
Directions for use and dosage:
- Decoction for adults: 1-2 tablespoons before meals 3 times a day
- Decoction for children: 1 teaspoon before meals 3 times a day
- Infusion for adults: a third of a glass before meals 3 times a day
- Infusion for children: 1 dessert spoon before meals 3 times a day
Licorice root syrup, which is sold in pharmacies, is taken diluted with water in the ratio of 1 dessert spoon per 100 grams of water, taken three times a day. Children drink as many drops as they are full years old. Children over 12 years old – 1 teaspoon.
In case of individual intolerance, allergic reactions, nausea, and heartburn may occur.
Licorice root only causes side effects with long-term use. If treatment lasts no more than a week, the drug is well tolerated.
With constant use of licorice, the water-salt balance may be disrupted, which leads to swelling of various parts of the body and organs. Sodium and water are retained in the body; potassium, on the contrary, is eliminated from the body more quickly. All this leads to increased blood pressure.
If the drug is taken on an ongoing basis, it is necessary to periodically undergo laboratory testing of adrenal hormones. Rarely, enlarged mammary glands in men and sexual dysfunction occur.
You should not take the drug if:
- high blood pressure
- liver cirrhosis and other liver dysfunctions
- potassium deficiency in the body
- heart pathologies
- during pregnancy and lactation
Read: Signs of pregnancy at 1 month
The course of treatment with licorice root lasts 7-10 days, usually during this time there is relief or complete recovery.
The following drugs and herbs are similar in action to licorice root:
- Codelac Broncho
- Pectusin
- Gedelix
- Althea
- Thermopsis
- Thyme
- Coltsfoot
- Oregano
Analogues are considered in the context of the treatment of colds accompanied by cough or respiratory diseases. Analogs are prescribed if the patient has contraindications, side effects occur, or during pregnancy.
