Chinese Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is a common herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has a long history of use as a harmonizer in herbal formulas. Its use for supporting or treating drug addiction, however, is primarily based on traditional practices rather than solid scientific evidence. In TCM, licorice is believed to "harmonize" the other ingredients in a formula and support overall vitality and resilience, which can be indirectly related to supporting individuals undergoing withdrawal or recovery from substance use. Some TCM formulas, such as "Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang," which contains licorice, have historically been used to address symptoms associated with withdrawal, agitation, or emotional imbalance, but not specifically addiction itself as understood in modern medicine.

Scientifically, there is limited and mostly preclinical evidence suggesting that compounds in licorice may modulate neurotransmitter systems involved in addiction (such as GABA or dopamine), but these findings are preliminary and not well-substantiated in humans. Most clinical studies focus on other effects of licorice, such as its anti-inflammatory or hepatoprotective properties. Thus, while Chinese Licorice is sometimes included in traditional formulas for individuals dealing with addiction, its use for this purpose is justified more by traditional usage than by robust scientific validation.