How to Make a Licorice Infusion for Weight Loss

Licorice or also known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is a root that is extracted from a perennial herb of the Papilionaceae family and is currently cultivated mainly in the Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia Minor.

It is popularly used as an ingredient in many products in the confectionery sector, either in the form of candies or other sweets.

However, licorice root can also be used as a natural medicinal remedy, as it contains excellent properties for our health, including digestive and slimming properties.

That is why in this article we explain step by step how to make an infusion of licorice to lose weight and we detail its properties and health benefits.

Composition and Nutritional Values of Licorice

Licorice is composed of different nutrients that give it its wonderful medicinal properties. Among its nutritional values, we find:

• Vitamins: among them, we find mainly vitamin C and thiamine.
• Minerals: it is composed of calcium, cobalt, potassium, magnesium, chromium, silicon, and sodium.
• Flavonoids: it has a good content of beta-carotene and licoricone, among others.
• Carbohydrates: among them are glycyrrhizin, sucrose, and glucose.
• Other nutrients: liquiritin, liquiritigenin, and glabridin, antioxidants with different health properties.

Properties of Licorice for Weight Loss

Licorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra is a root that was used in ancient times, on the one hand, as a natural remedy for its medicinal properties to treat various stomach disorders and, on the other hand, was also used as a condiment for many foods for its sweet taste and, at the same time, a little bitter.

Currently, licorice infusion is used, among its different uses, to lose weight thanks to the following benefits and properties of licorice:

• It can help to lose weight, as it is an excellent diuretic that helps reduce fluid retention and also to eliminate stored fats.

• It also helps us in our weight loss process, as it works as a natural laxative, so it is very effective in cases of constipation.

• Licorice infusion is effective for other digestive problems that can slow down the weight loss process, such as gas and heartburn.

• It also has excellent satiating properties that reduce our appetite and, consequently, help us lose weight.

• It has properties that regulate our blood sugar and insulin levels, which is also effective for losing weight and reducing excess fat.

Other Health Benefits of Licorice

• It is a natural expectorant that helps treat different respiratory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

• It has hepatoprotective actions, that is, it helps in liver purification by increasing bile levels.

• It is indicated for women with menopause, as it alleviates its symptoms and increases estrogen levels.

• It is a natural stimulant, so it is also used in cases of anxiety and depression.

Finally, it can help people with tobacco addiction, as it detoxifies the body and makes the taste of tobacco unpleasant.

How to Make a Licorice Infusion for Weight Loss

Licorice, as we have explained, can help you lose a few pounds due to its different properties that facilitate the process of losing weight. To make an infusion of licorice to lose weight, just follow these steps:

In a saucepan, put 1 liter of water on the fire until it starts to boil. When the water is almost boiling, add either four teaspoons of powdered licorice root, or you could also add 4 licorice stems or roots to the water.

In case, you have added the powdered licorice, you should let it boil in the water for 10 minutes.

However, if you have decided to use the root directly, you will have to boil it for 15 to 20 minutes to make the most of its slimming properties.

Once the time to boil the licorice has passed, you should let the infusion stand for another 10 minutes.

Now all you have to do is strain the liquid into a glass bottle and you will have the licorice infusion ready to drink whenever you want.

For the licorice infusion to help you lose weight, you should drink it no more than 3 times a day. Once it has cooled down, it is not recommended that you reheat it, as it will lose its flavor.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.