It has also been used in traditional Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Greek medicines to soothe an upset stomach, reduce inflammation, and treat upper respiratory problems 2 , 3. Today, many people utilize licorice root to treat ailments like heartburn, acid reflux, hot flashes, coughs, and bacterial and viral infections. Additionally, licorice tea is said to soothe sore throats , while topical gels are claimed to treat skin conditions like acne or eczema 4.
Surprisingly, many licorice candies are flavored not with licorice root but with anise oil — an essential oil from the anise plant Pimpinella anisum that has a similar taste. However, glycyrrhizin is also linked to many of the adverse effects of licorice root. As a result, some products use deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL , which has had the glycyrrhizin removed 1.
Licorice root is used both as a flavoring agent and medicinal treatment. It comes in many forms, including teas, capsules, liquids, and even topical gels. Licorice root contains over compounds, some of which demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects 3 , 7 , 8.
In particular, animal and test-tube studies link glycyrrhizin to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits 1 , 3 , 5. As a result, licorice root extract is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and eczema. In a 2-week study in 60 adults, applying a topical gel containing licorice root extract significantly improved eczema 4. Though topical licorice gels have also been used to treat acne , research on its effectiveness is mixed and quite limited 9.
Licorice root extract is often used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as acid reflux , upset stomach, and heartburn.
In a day study in 50 adults with indigestion, taking a mg licorice capsule twice daily resulted in significant improvements in symptoms, compared with a placebo Licorice root extract may also alleviate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , including acid reflux and heartburn.
In an 8-week study in 58 adults with GERD, a low dose of glycyrrhetinic acid in combination with standard treatment resulted in significant improvements in symptoms Another study in 58 adults with GERD noted that the daily use of licorice root was more effective at reducing symptoms over a 2-year period than commonly used antacids Peptic ulcers are painful sores that develop in your stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine.
Licorice root extract and its glycyrrhizin may help treat peptic ulcers. One study in mice found that licorice extract doses of 91 mg per pound mg per kg of body weight protected against these ulcers better than omeprazole, a common peptic ulcer medication While more research is needed in humans, a 2-week study in adults showed that consuming licorice extract in addition to a standard treatment significantly reduced the presence of H.
Due to its content of numerous plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, licorice root extract has been studied for its protective effects against certain types of cancer In particular, licorice extract and its compounds have been linked to slowing or preventing cell growth in skin, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers 16 , 17 , 18 , How Much Do We Know?
What Have We Learned? Some products that contain licorice root and other ingredients may help relieve digestive symptoms. Because these are combination products, the role of licorice in their effects is uncertain. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a chronic disease in which skin becomes irritated, inflamed, and itchy. A small number of studies suggest that using a licorice gargle or lozenges before surgery might help to prevent or lessen the severity of the sore throat that often occurs after surgery.
Although licorice root is generally considered safe as a food ingredient, it can cause serious side effects, including increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels, when consumed in large amounts or for long periods of time. The effects of licorice on potassium and blood pressure are a particular concern for people with hypertension high blood pressure or heart or kidney disease.
Some side effects of licorice are believed to be caused by a component called glycyrrhizic acid. Licorice that has had this substance removed called DGL for deglycyrrhizinated licorice may not have the same degree of side effects. Heavy consumption of licorice during pregnancy has been associated with premature birth and health problems in the child. Keep in Mind. These include:. To avoid interactions, advise your healthcare provider if you are taking licorice root or any other natural or herbal supplement.
Licorice root products including chewable tablets, capsules, extracts, teas, lozenges, tinctures, and powders are available in most health food stores. While there are no universal guidelines directing the appropriate use of licorice root, doses of up to 5 to 15 grams a day are considered safe for short-term use. As a general rule, you should never exceed the recommended dosage on the product label or take a licorice supplement for longer than three to six weeks.
In addition to dietary supplements, dried licorice root can be purchased online or through a traditional Chinese medicine distributor. Whole licorice root is difficult to use given that you are less able to control the dose. Shaved root, by contrast, can easily be made into tea by steeping a tablespoon of the shavings in a cup of boiling water.
Licorice teabags can be also found at most groceries store, some of which are mixed with black, green, or rooibos tea. For best results, speak with your healthcare provider before using any licorice root product, especially if you have a health condition. Licorice root is classified as a dietary supplement by the U. As such, it is not required to undergo the rigorous testing that pharmaceutical drugs do and can vary in quality from one brand to the next. To ensure the utmost quality and safety, only purchased brands certified by an independent body such as the U.
Moreover, only purchase supplements that specify the amount of glycyrrhizin on the product. If buying dried licorice root, choose those that have been certified organic whenever possible. Binging on licorice candy occasionally will likely cause you nothing more than an upset stomach and heartburn. The same may not be true if you consume licorice habitually. In , the FDA issued an advisement , warning consumers that adults over 40 who eat 2 ounces of natural black licorice per day for at least two weeks could end up in the hospital with cardiac arrhythmia and other serious symptoms.
As a rule, keep your consumption of licorice candy to a minimum. If you eat large amounts and start to feel your heart beating wildly or your muscles going weak, call your healthcare provider immediately. With that being said, not all licorice candy is made with licorice. Many modern brands are "licorice-flavored" and are made with anise-based flavorings that do not contain any glycyrrhizin. Read more about the benefits of the dandelion root.
The amounts of licorice root in different products can vary, so it's difficult to say an exact amount that's unsafe. In general, eating large amounts or consuming it over an extended period of time can cause serious health issues like increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels. Check with your healthcare provider before taking licorice root, particularly if you have a condition like high blood pressure or heart or kidney disease.
You can get licorice root capsules, tablets, powders, teas, lozenges, and extracts in health stores and online where supplements are sold. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Licorice root. Updated December 1, An extract of glycyrrhiza glabra GutGard alleviates symptoms of functional dyspepsia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Doctors in Japan use an injectable form of glycyrrhizin to treat people who have chronic hepatitis C that does not respond to other treatments. The results of laboratory studies in Japan suggest that it may be helpful for this. Some research suggests that licorice may help kill bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay. However, although licorice has demonstrated antibacterial activity in the laboratory setting, human studies have not yet proven that it has any cavity-fighting power.
Its ability to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria means that it does have potential as a future cavity treatment though. Many people think of licorice as a sore throat remedy. A small study recruited people who were having a breathing tube inserted into their windpipe before surgery. Following its removal, the breathing tube can cause a postoperative sore throat, known as POST. The researchers showed that gargling a licorice solution for 1—15 minutes before surgery was as effective as a ketamine gargle in reducing the incidence and severity of POST.
Another similar study found that solutions with a higher concentration of licorice were more effective than less concentrated solutions in improving POST. The dosage of licorice depends on the condition that needs treating. However, people should never consume excessive amounts of licorice in food or supplement form. People who have high blood pressure or low potassium levels should avoid licorice candy and glycyrrhizin supplements altogether.
Licorice supplements are available without the glycyrrhizin, in the form of deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL. Consuming too much licorice can cause potassium levels to drop.
According to the U. However, many candies and supplements do not list the exact amount of glycyrrhizic acid in the product. This lack of detailed information makes overdose a possibility, especially for children who eat lots of licorice candy over extended periods.
In one case , a year-old boy who ate large amounts of black licorice for 4 months developed high blood pressure and a syndrome that causes seizures.
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