Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Canker Sores

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Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of oral ailments, including canker sores (aphthous ulcers). More importantly, several scientific studies have investigated its efficacy for this specific condition. The primary active compound in licorice, glycyrrhizin, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and mucoprotective properties, making it potentially beneficial for mouth ulcers.

Clinical research supports this use: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that topical application of licorice root extract (often as a dissolvable patch or mouthwash) can significantly reduce the size, pain, and healing time of canker sores. For example, a study published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology (2008) found that a licorice-containing oral patch led to faster healing and pain relief compared to placebo. Another trial in Phytomedicine (2012) confirmed that licorice mouthwash reduced ulcer duration and severity.

While these studies are promising, the evidence base is still modest—consisting mostly of small, short-term trials. Larger, high-quality studies are needed to confirm the optimal formulation, dosing, and safety. However, the existing data suggest licorice root is more than just a traditional remedy: it has a reasonable scientific basis for use in managing canker sores.

More about licorice root
More about Canker Sores

Other ingredients used for Canker Sores

Aloe vera
bamboo
basil
Myrobalan
betel
bisabolol
blackberry
bасора
chamomile
clove
coating
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
curcumin
dog rose
folate
ginger
horseradish
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
lemon
licorice root
magnesium
Milk
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
oregano
oregon grape
parsley
Peppermint
pineapple
plantain
rhizome
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
slippery elm bark
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
Triphala
vitamin B12
vitamin C
Zinc
Yellow root
squawvine
chickweed
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
Neem tree
nut grass
Clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
commiphora
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
lemongrass
Myrrh
siler root
hyacinth bean
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
sheep's sorrel
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
ash
avens
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Agrimony
Achyranthes
anamu
American Liverleaf
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteraceae
Acemannan
Amor seco
Arisaema
bee propolis
bermuda grass
blue flag
bai ji
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
bicarbonate
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
Barleria
bitter grass
bloodroot
banyan
bee products
black nightshade
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
bacteria
Bassia scoparia
borneol
coconut
curry leaf
Calendula
Clerodendrum trichotomum
chlorophyllin
carvacrol
capillary artemisia
citron
capsaicin
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Centipeda
Cistus
corktree
Collinsonia
copaiba oil
Celosia
chrysophanics
Dianthus
divi-divi
dragonhead
David\'s milkberry
European Elder
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Eclipta
essential oil blend
Euphorbia
European five-finger grass
Embelia
eugenol
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fuchsia
fang-feng
Ficus simplicissima
frankincense
Gnaphalium
Glycolic acid
Guava
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
gallotannin
Galangal
Guazuma ulmifolia
honey
heal-all
Helicteres isora
henna
Herb Robert
Horsemint
Huang hua
Indian nightshade
iridoid glycosides
Indian coraltree
long pepper
Indian kinotree
Indian fagonia
lime
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
Litsea
luffa
lodhtree
lysozyme
labrador tea
little ironweed
Lysimachia
Mustard
Mineral ascorbate
Marjoram
mallow
Melia
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Matapalo Tree
Momordica
marigold
manzanita
Macaranga indica
Nardostachys
Naphthoquinones
Nutmeg
Nimbidin
Oak
Osha
Orris
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phyllanthus
Premna
pagoda tree
Plantago
Pluchea
Prunus
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pansit-pansitan
Pyrrosia
Pentatropis capensis
Portulaca
Piper nigrum
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
Papayotin
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
Quisqualis
rue
Rubus
resin
rose
Rhus coriaria
Spilanthes
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sinapis arvensis
Sophora
Sesbania
Spanish Needle
Smartweed
Salvia
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Sanguisorba
Slippery Elm
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Stereospermum
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Terpenoids
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Thymol
Tansy
Tagetes
Tamarind
Varuna
Violet
Viola
Water Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by licorice root

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