Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Licorice
For the health condition: Cirrhosis of the Liver

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chinese licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, known as "Gan Cao" in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long history of use in Asia for various liver conditions, including cirrhosis. In traditional practice, licorice is believed to "harmonize" other herbs in formulas and to help "detoxify" the liver. Classic Chinese medical texts often prescribe licorice root as part of multi-herb formulas intended to support liver function and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and jaundice associated with liver disease.

From a scientific perspective, some in vitro and animal studies have shown that glycyrrhizin, a major active component of licorice, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic properties that could theoretically benefit liver health. There is limited clinical evidence from small studies that glycyrrhizin injections (not oral licorice root) may help improve liver enzyme levels in chronic hepatitis and possibly slow fibrosis. However, these effects are not consistently replicated, and data specifically on cirrhosis in humans are sparse. Furthermore, licorice can have significant side effects (including hypertension and hypokalemia) when used in high doses or chronically. Thus, while its use is primarily rooted in tradition, there is only modest scientific support, and it is not a standard evidence-based treatment for cirrhosis.

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