Ultimate Herbals Guide: Licorice Root

Licorice Root: Your Guide to Herbs

What is Licorice Root?

This Herb Guide provides everything you need to know about licorice root- it’s common names, how and why it’s used, whether it works and what it works for best, research conducted, if it’s safe to use and the potential side effects and cautions.

Most licorice is grown in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. Licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin (or glycyrrhizic acid). Licorice has a long history of medicinal use in both Eastern and Western systems of medicine.

Common Names - Licorice root, Licorice, Liquorice, Sweet Root, Gan Zao (Chinese licorice)

Latin Names - Glycyrrhiza Glabra, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Chinese licorice)

What is Licorice Root used for?

Licorice root has been used as a dietary supplementA product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements used for stomach ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throat, as well as infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis.

How is Licorice Root used?

• Peeled licorice root is available in dried and powdered forms.
• Licorice root is available as capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts.
• Licorice can be found with glycyrrhizin removed; the product is called DGL (for “deglycyrrhizinated licorice”).

What the Science Says

Has Licorice Root been proven to work?

• A review of several clinical trials found that glycyrrhizin might reduce complications from hepatitis C in some patients. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm that glycyrrhizin has this effect.
• There are not enough reliable data to determine whether licorice is effective for stomach ulcers.

Side Effects and Cautions

Is Licorice Root safe and what should I be careful about while taking it?

• In large amounts, licorice containing glycyrrhizin can cause high blood pressure, salt and water retention, and low potassium levels, which could lead to heart problems. DGL products are thought to cause fewer side effects.
• The safety of using licorice as a supplement for more than 4 to 6 weeks has not been thoroughly studied.
• Taking licorice together with diuretics (water pills) or other medicines that reduce the body’s potassium levels could cause dangerously low potassium levels.
• People with heart disease or high blood pressure should be cautious about using licorice.
• When taken in large amounts, licorice can affect the body’s levels of a hormone called cortisol and related steroid drugs, such as prednisone.
• Pregnant women should avoid using licorice as a supplement or consuming large amounts of licorice as food, as some research suggests it could increase the risk of preterm labor.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Content Created/Medically Reviewed by our Expert Doctors