Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice
For the body system: Bronchials

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Synopsis

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

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, where it is often included in herbal formulas to support respiratory health and relieve symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and bronchitis. The root contains glycyrrhizin, which is believed to exert anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on mucous membranes. While licorice has been used for centuries to address bronchial and respiratory complaints, modern scientific validation is limited and mostly based on small-scale studies or in vitro experiments suggesting mild anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antimicrobial activity. Some clinical trials have investigated licorice’s effects on upper respiratory tract infections and cough, but results are inconclusive and often confounded by the use of multi-herb formulations rather than licorice alone.

Despite the lack of robust, large-scale clinical evidence, licorice remains popular in herbal cough syrups and lozenges due to its demulcent (soothing) properties and pleasant taste. It is important to note that long-term or excessive consumption of licorice can cause significant side effects, such as hypertension and hypokalemia, due to glycyrrhizin content. Therefore, while traditional use is well-established, scientific support for licorice’s efficacy specifically for bronchial health is moderate at best.

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Other body systems supported by licorice

Bronchials

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