Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)

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Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used in traditional medicine systems, especially in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greco-Arabic (Unani) medicine, as a remedy for coughs and other respiratory ailments. Its traditional use stems from the belief that licorice root soothes mucous membranes, reduces throat irritation, and acts as an expectorant to help clear mucus from the airways. Ancient texts and pharmacopeias frequently mention licorice as part of herbal mixtures for cough, bronchitis, and sore throat, supporting its status as a time-honored remedy.

Modern pharmacological studies suggest that licorice contains glycyrrhizin and other saponins, which may exhibit anti-inflammatory, demulcent (soothing), and mild antitussive (cough-suppressing) properties. Some in vitro and animal studies indicate that licorice extracts can decrease airway inflammation and possibly inhibit cough reflex sensitivity. However, high-quality clinical trials in humans are limited and generally small in scale, with inconsistent results. Most available clinical evidence is based on combination herbal formulas rather than licorice root alone, making it difficult to attribute efficacy specifically to licorice.

Overall, while licorice root’s use for spastic (irritable, persistent) cough is strongly supported by traditional practice and some pharmacological plausibility, the direct scientific evidence in humans is moderate and not robust. Caution is advised in long-term use due to potential side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia.

More about licorice root
More about Cough (spastic)

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
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Hernias
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
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Impetigo
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Inflammation
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Itching
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Jaundice (adults)
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Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
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Lungs (fluid in)
Lyme Disease
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Menstruation (scant)
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Mononucleosis
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Oral Surgery
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Pertussis
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PMS (general)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
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