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Licorice Root

traditional use in soothing digestive and respiratory complaints

Meta-analysis availableHuman trial evidenceTraditional useInteraction riskNeeds more research

Licorice root is an herb with a sweet taste, traditionally used for various ailments, but its potential health benefits and safety require further scientific investigation.

Licorice root, derived from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems. It is recognized for its sweet taste and is often found in herbal remedies and confections. The plant contains various compounds, with glycyrrhizin being one of the most studied, contributing to its distinct flavor and potential biological activities. While licorice root is explored for a range of potential health benefits, it is important to note that scientific evidence supporting many of these uses is still developing, and some compounds within licorice can have significant physiological effects, particularly with prolonged or high-dose use.

Quick answer

What it is: Licorice root, derived from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems.

May support:Common Cold/Flu, Chronic Bronchitis, Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), Rosacea, Sjögren's Syndrome, Melasma, Chronic Fatigue, Liver Disease, PCOS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Adrenal Fatigue

Evidence Summary

The current evidence grade is low due to a lack of robust, high-quality human clinical trials. Many traditional uses are supported by historical accounts and anecdotal evidence, with some preliminary in vitro or animal studies exploring potential mechanisms. However, these do not provide sufficient evidence for clinical efficacy or safety in humans.

Last reviewed · Jun 2026

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Why It Works

Licorice root contains compounds like glycyrrhizin, which may exert anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant effects, potentially influencing various physiological pathways.

How it works in more detail

The primary active compound, glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), is metabolized in the gut to glycyrrhetinic acid. Glycyrrhetinic acid is thought to inhibit 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), an enzyme that inactivates cortisol. This inhibition can lead to increased cortisol levels in the kidneys, potentially contributing to mineralocorticoid effects. Other compounds, such as flavonoids, may contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by modulating enzyme activities and signaling pathways.

How to use

Always consult a qualified clinician.

Editorial guidance

Typical forms
capsule, tablet, tea, tincture, extract, powder, chewable (DGL)
Medication interactions
  • Diuretics
  • Corticosteroids
  • Digoxin
  • Warfarin
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Insulin and oral hypoglycemics
Avoid if
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Hypokalemia
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Hormone-sensitive cancers
  • Diabetes

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Active medicinal compounds

Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids (e.g., liquiritin, isoliquiritigenin), coumarins, triterpenoids.

Traditional use

Licorice root has been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years, often used to harmonize herbal formulas, soothe sore throats, and address digestive issues. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is known as 'Yashtimadhu' and is used for respiratory, digestive, and skin conditions. It also has a history of use in Western herbalism for coughs, colds, and gastric complaints.

Safety

Safety warnings

Prolonged or high-dose use of licorice root, particularly preparations containing glycyrrhizin, can lead to serious side effects such as hypertension, hypokalemia (low potassium), edema, and cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals with pre-existing conditions, especially heart or kidney disease, should exercise extreme caution or avoid licorice. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) preparations are generally considered safer as they have most of the glycyrrhizin removed.

Avoid if

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Hypokalemia
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Hormone-sensitive cancers
  • Diabetes

Medication interactions

  • Diuretics
  • Corticosteroids
  • Digoxin
  • Warfarin
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Insulin and oral hypoglycemics

Reported side effects

  • High blood pressure
  • Low potassium (hypokalemia)
  • Edema (fluid retention)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heart rhythm

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Evidence ecosystem

Scientific literature, clinical guidance, government sources, ongoing research, traditional use, and lived experience — grouped by source type and quality.

Overall grade

The current evidence grade is low due to a lack of robust, high-quality human clinical trials. Many traditional uses are supported by historical accounts and anecdotal evidence, with some preliminary in vitro or animal studies exploring potential mechanisms. However, these do not provide sufficient evidence for clinical efficacy or safety in humans.

Meta-Analyses(1)

Pooled analyses across multiple human trials.

Very High Quality

  • Herbal medicine for adults with asthma: A systematic review.

    Shergis JL, Wu L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Xue CC · The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma · 2016 · n=1

    Many people with asthma use herbal medicines to help reduce symptoms and improve asthma control. To update the systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of herbal medicine for adult asthma. Nine English and Chinese databases were searched (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, AMED, CBM, CNKI, CQVIP, Wanfang). Herbal medicines combined with routine pharmacotherapies compared with the same pharmacotherapies alone or placebo. Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and GRADE Summary of Findings tables were used to evaluate methodological quality. Twenty-nine (29) studies involving 3,001 participants were included. Herbal interventions used multi-ingredients such as licorice root, crow-dipper, astragali, and angelica. Compared with routine pharmacotherapies alone, herbal medicines as add-on therapy improved lung function (FEV1: MD 7.81%, 95% CI 5.79, 9.83, I(2) = 63%; PEFR: MD 65.14 L/min, 95% CI 58.87, 71.41, I(2) = 21%); asthma control (MD 2.47 points, 95% CI 1.64, 3.29

    Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality

Limitations: Key limitations include a scarcity of well-designed randomized controlled trials in humans, small sample sizes in existing studies, and variability in licorice preparations and dosages. The long-term effects and interactions with medications are also not well-established through rigorous clinical research.

This page is educational. Statements use phrases like "may support" and "has been studied for"because no remedy here is approved to cure, treat, or reverse any condition. Discussion happens on the ailment pages — community statistics here are derived from those reports. Always consult a qualified clinician.

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