Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long tradition of use in supporting the adrenal glands, particularly in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. From a scientific perspective, licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound shown to inhibit the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), which normally inactivates cortisol. By inhibiting this enzyme, licorice can increase the half-life and activity of endogenous cortisol in the body. This mechanism is the basis for its use in traditional medicine for “adrenal fatigue” or low energy states, although “adrenal fatigue” itself is not a formally recognized medical diagnosis.

Several clinical studies and case reports demonstrate that licorice can potentiate the effects of corticosteroids and is sometimes used adjunctively in Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency), though only under medical supervision due to the risk of side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia. However, robust, large-scale clinical trials directly linking licorice to improved adrenal gland function in otherwise healthy individuals are lacking. The evidence is stronger in pharmacological and clinical observations related to cortisol metabolism than in outcome-based trials for adrenal support. Therefore, while there is a plausible mechanism and some supportive evidence, the overall clinical evidence for adrenal support in healthy people is moderate at best.

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