Licorice root (glycyrrhiza glabra)

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Other names for licorice root

licorice root

Synopsis of licorice root

Licorice root is a sweet-tasting root from the legume family, prized in both traditional and modern herbal medicine for its wide-ranging effects on the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, and immune systems. Its primary active compound, glycyrrhizin, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and mucosal-protective properties. Licorice root also contains flavonoids, polysaccharides, coumarins, and saponins that contribute to its therapeutic actions.

In herbal medicine today, licorice is commonly used to soothe gastrointestinal irritation (e.g., ulcers, gastritis, and acid reflux), relieve sore throats, reduce respiratory inflammation, and support adrenal function during times of stress. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which has the glycyrrhizin removed, is often used to protect the stomach lining without raising blood pressure—a concern with long-term use of whole-root extracts.

Licorice’s adaptogenic and harmonizing qualities also make it a common ingredient in complex herbal formulas, where it enhances the effects of other herbs while reducing their potential harshness. It is used both internally and topically and is available in teas, tinctures, capsules, powders, and lozenges.

Historical Use:
Licorice root has been used for over 3,000 years in some of the world’s oldest medical systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), licorice (known as Gan Cao) is considered one of the most important herbs—used to tonify qi, moisten the lungs, clear heat and toxins, harmonize herbal formulas, and ease spasms. It appears in more than half of all traditional formulas, often serving as a balancing or synergistic component.

In Ayurveda, licorice (Yashtimadhu) is classified as a rejuvenative (rasayana) herb that supports the throat, respiratory tract, and digestive fire. It is used to promote longevity, fertility, clarity of voice, and soothe inflammation.

In Greco-Roman medicine, licorice was described by Dioscorides and Hippocrates as beneficial for the throat, lungs, and ulcers. Licorice root was later used by European herbalists for coughs, hoarseness, and adrenal fatigue, and by Middle Eastern physicians in compound preparations for bronchitis and stomach distress.

Licorice was also carried along ancient trade routes and used by Egyptian, Persian, and Chinese royalty. It was buried with Pharaohs, used as a war-time remedy for thirst and fatigue, and incorporated into many traditional confectionery products for its naturally sweet flavor and medicinal benefits.

Today, licorice continues to bridge ancient and modern herbal practice, offering a versatile and well-researched plant medicine for inflammation, immunity, and stress-related disorders.

Licorice root is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abrasions (Traditional)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Scientific)
Acne (Scientific)
Addictions (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing) (Traditional)
Addison's Disease (Scientific)
Adenitis (Traditional)
Adrenal Fatigue (Traditional)
Afterbirth Pain (Traditional)
Age Spots (Scientific)
Allergies (respiratory) (Traditional)
Amenorrhea (Traditional)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Anemia (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Asthma (Traditional)
Autoimmune Disorders (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Chicken Pox (Traditional)
Cholera (Traditional)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Traditional)
Cirrhosis of the Liver (Traditional)
Cold Sores (Scientific)
Colds (antiviral) (Scientific)
Colds (decongestant) (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colic (adults) (Traditional)
Colic (children) (Traditional)
Colitis (Traditional)
Colon (atonic) (Traditional)
Colon (spastic) (Traditional)
Congestion (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (lymphatic) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Contagious Diseases (Scientific)
Convalescence (Traditional)
Cough (damp) (Traditional)
Cough (dry) (Traditional)
Cough (general) (Scientific)
Cough (spastic) (Traditional)
Cramps (menstrual) (Traditional)
Crohn's Disease (Traditional)
Croup (Traditional)
Cushing's Disease (Scientific)
Cytomealovirus (Scientific)
Dyspepsia (Scientific)
Eczema (Traditional)
Emphysema (Traditional)
Endometriosis (Traditional)
Enteritis (Traditional)
Epstein Barr Virus (Scientific)
Estrogen (low) (Traditional)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Fever (Traditional)
Fibrosis (Scientific)
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed) (Traditional)
Gall Stones (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Scientific)
Gingivitis (Scientific)
Glands (swollen lymph) (Traditional)
Goiter (Traditional)
Gonorrhea (Traditional)
Gout (Traditional)
Grave's Disease (Traditional)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Traditional)
Hair Care (general) (Traditional)
Halitosis (Scientific)
Hangover (Traditional)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
Headache (sinus) (Traditional)
Headache (tension) (Traditional)
Heart (weakness) (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Scientific)
Hernias (Traditional)
Herpes (Scientific)
Hiatal Hernia (Traditional)
Hiccups (Traditional)
Hot Flashes (Traditional)
Hypotension (Scientific)
Hypothyroid (Traditional)
Impetigo (Traditional)
Indigestion (Scientific)
Infection (Scientific)
Infection (bacterial) (Scientific)
Infection (viral) (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Influenza (Scientific)
Injuries (Traditional)
Itching (Scientific)
Itching Ears (Traditional)
Jaundice (adults) (Traditional)
Jock Itch (Traditional)
Kidney Infection (Traditional)
Laryngitis (Traditional)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Scientific)
Leprosy (Traditional)
Lesions (Scientific)
Leucorrhea (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Lungs (fluid in) (Traditional)
Lyme Disease (Traditional)
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen) (Traditional)
Malaria (Traditional)
Mastitis (Traditional)
Measles (Traditional)
Menopause (Scientific)
Menorrhagia (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Menstruation (scant) (Traditional)
Mental Illness (Traditional)
Metabolic Syndrome (Scientific)
Mononucleosis (Traditional)
Mood Swings (Traditional)
Morning Sickness (Traditional)
Mumps (Traditional)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Nephritis (Traditional)
Nervous Exhaustion (Traditional)
Nervousness (Traditional)
Night Sweating (Traditional)
Nocturnal Emission (Traditional)
Oral Surgery (Scientific)
Ovarian Pain (Traditional)
Overacidity (Scientific)
Pertussis (Traditional)
Pleurisy (Traditional)
PMS (general) (Traditional)
Pneumonia (Traditional)
Poison Ivy or Oak (Traditional)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Rosacea (Scientific)
Sore Throat (Scientific)
Ulcers (Scientific)

licorice root is used to support these body systems

Adrenal Cortex (Scientific)
Adrenal Glands (Scientific)
Blood (Traditional)
Cortisol (Scientific)
Digestive System (Scientific)
Estrogen (Traditional)
Eustachian Tubes (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Glandular System (Traditional)
Gums (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Lymphatics (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Scientific)
Ovaries (Traditional)
Pituitary (Traditional)
Reproductive System (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Scientific)
Sinuses (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Solar Plexus (Traditional)
Specific Hormones (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Sympathetic Nervous System (Traditional)
Teeth (Traditional)
Thymus (Traditional)
Thyroid Gland (Traditional)
Tonsils (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Vagina (Traditional)
Vocal Cords (Traditional)

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