About Licorice Root

Plant commonly used for its anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and digestive-supporting properties, often utilized in supplements for respiratory issues and gut health.

Effectiveness Scores

Digestive Health: 7.0/10 (moderate evidence).
Licorice helps your stomach and intestines heal by strengthening the protective mucus layer that lines the gut. This mucus acts like a natural shield, covering irritated or ulcerated areas so they aren’t constantly exposed to stomach acid, bile, and digestive enzymes. When this barrier is stronger, ulcers can finally repair themselves instead of repeatedly breaking down.
Licorice also supports the gut’s own healing processes by reducing irritation and helping tissues regenerate more quickly. This combination makes it especially useful for soothing gastritis, ulcers, and general digestive inflammation.
Why this rating:
Studies in humans consistently show benefits, and the biological explanation for how licorice works is strong. But many trials are small and come from the same region, and different licorice formulations (like DGL vs. whole-root) make results harder to compare. Larger, more standardized studies across multiple countries would boost confidence in its long-term effectiveness.
Respiratory Health: 6.0/10 (moderate evidence).
Licorice helps calm coughs and clear mucus through several complementary actions. Its active compounds act on nerve pathways that control the cough reflex, reducing how easily those nerves are triggered. This makes coughing less frequent and less intense.
At the same time, licorice encourages the airways to produce thinner, more fluid mucus that is easier to clear from the lungs, which can make breathing feel smoother and reduce throat irritation. Together, these effects help quiet persistent coughing and support faster recovery from upper respiratory infections.
Why this rating: The research behind licorice for cough and respiratory infections is promising but not yet definitive. The biological explanations make sense, and there are a few well-designed studies showing real symptom improvement. However, most clinical trials are small, use different formulations, and often combine licorice with other active ingredients.
Skin Health: 6.0/10 (moderate evidence).
Topical licorice preparations help calm inflammation, itching, and irritation in eczema by targeting several biological pathways that drive flare-ups. By reducing inflammatory signaling, licorice helps decrease redness, swelling, and itching. It also helps stabilize mast cells (immune cells that release histamine during allergic reactions) so fewer itch-inducing chemicals are released into the skin.
Beyond inflammation control, licorice compounds act as antioxidants, protecting skin cells from oxidative stress, and have mild antimicrobial effects that may reduce secondary bacterial infections, a common complication in eczema.
Why this rating: The evidence for licorice in eczema is encouraging but still developing. Multiple well-controlled human studies show meaningful improvements in symptoms, and the mechanisms behind its effects are well understood and biologically sound. However, most trials are short-term and include relatively small numbers of participants. Many also use combination formulas, making it difficult to isolate licorice's specific contribution. Long-term safety and comparative studies with standard steroid treatments are still limited. Overall, licorice-based creams appear to be a safe, moderately effective option for easing eczema flare-ups, especially for those seeking alternatives to corticosteroids, but stronger and larger-scale trials are needed to confirm its place in treatment.

Dosage & Timeline

Standard Dosages

General Health: 450-2000 mg
Topical Application: Applying gel with licorice root extract 2% is possibly safe for up to 2 weeks
Peptic Ulcers: 380 mg twice daily for 2 weeks as an adjunct to triple therapy

Timeline to See Results

Burns: Pain reduction on the 3rd day onwards; inflammation reduction from the 6th day onwards
Eczema: Reduction in redness, swelling, and itching after 2 weeks of topical application

All other outcomes may be noticed after extended use or lack sufficient studies to establish an effectiveness timeline.

Safety Information

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Licorice root should be avoided during pregnancy, as high doses may cause uterine contractions or harm fetal development. It is also advised to avoid licorice while breastfeeding unless under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Blood pressure: Licorice should be used with caution by individuals with high blood pressure or those on medication for hypertension, as it can exacerbate these conditions by promoting sodium retention.
Kidney conditions: Those with kidney disease should avoid licorice, as it can contribute to electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low potassium levels).
Medications: Licorice may interact with medications such as blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, diuretics, and certain antidepressants. Always consult a healthcare provider before using licorice root if you are on medication.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, stomach cramps, or nausea

Headaches or dizziness, especially with high doses

Water retention (due to licorice's effect on sodium retention)

Rare side effects:

Elevated blood pressure: Glycyrrhizin can cause the body to retain sodium, which may lead to an increase in blood pressure. High doses or long-term use can cause significant hypertension.

Low potassium levels: Long-term use of licorice can lead to potassium loss, resulting in symptoms like muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, or fatigue.

Hormonal effects: Licorice has mild estrogenic effects and may interfere with hormone balance, particularly in high doses.

Most side effects occur with long-term use or high doses of licorice root or licorice extract, particularly those containing high amounts of glycyrrhizin.

Usage Information

Licorice root is intended to support digestive health, relieve respiratory symptoms, reduce inflammation, combat stress, and support adrenal function.

User Experience

For digestive issues, users commonly report noticeable symptom relief within 1-3 days when used for heartburn or gastritis, with more substantial improvement in peptic ulcer symptoms requiring 2-4 weeks of consistent use.

For skin applications, users with eczema typically report visible reduction in redness and itching within 3-7 days of consistent topical use, with continued improvement over 2-4 weeks.

Alternative Names

Sweet root, Liquorice, Glycyrrhiza

Licorice Root