Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Eczema

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and various folk remedies. In these traditions, licorice root is valued for its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and demulcent properties. It has been used topically and internally to treat inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis). The active compound glycyrrhizin is believed to contribute to these effects by modulating the immune response and reducing inflammation.

Modern scientific evidence supporting the use of licorice root for eczema is limited, but there are a few small clinical studies and laboratory investigations. Some topical formulations containing licorice extract have shown modest benefits in reducing redness, itching, and swelling in mild eczema cases. For example, a small randomized controlled trial found that a 2% licorice gel improved symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis compared to placebo. However, these studies are limited in size and quality, and larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety. Oral licorice supplements are not widely recommended due to potential side effects, such as increased blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances, especially with long-term use.

In summary, licorice root's use for eczema is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, with some preliminary scientific support for topical applications, but its effectiveness is not yet robustly validated by high-quality clinical research.

More about licorice root
More about Eczema

Other ingredients used for Eczema

Abrus
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Ajuga
Albizia
Allantoin
Aloe vera
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Ardisia
argan nut oil
Arisaema
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
aucubin
avens
babchi
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
bee propolis
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black nightshade
black seed
blackboard tree
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
borage
borage oil
borneol
Boswellic Acid
Broussonetia
burdock
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
Cannabis sativa oil
caryophyllene
castile soap
castor oil
Celosia
Centella triterpenes
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Cinnamomum
Clerodendrum indicum
cocoa butter
coconut
coconut milk
colloid
colostrum
copaiba oil
costus
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
Dianthus
dodder
elephant\'s head
Embelia
emu oil
Epidermal Growth Factor
Erodium cicutarium
ethyl linoleate
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fang-feng
fatty acids
fern
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
forsythia
frankincense
fulvic acid
fungus
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
Gardenia jasminoides
geranium
giant blazingstar
Gnaphalium
goldthread
gotu kola
heal-all
heartwood
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp
hemp oil
henna
Herb Robert
Houttuynia
Hydrocolloid
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
jojoba oil
Kefir
Kokilaksha
Labdanum
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
lichen
licorice root
linoleic acid (LA)
lipids
Litsea
little ironweed
liverwort
lodhtree
luteolin
Lycopodium
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marine lipid
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Melia
Menthol oil
Mesua
Microcos
Milkweed
Momordica
Morinda
Morning glory
Neem tree
Nimbidin
nut grass
oat
Oligosaccharides
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
orchid
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
paederia foetida
Panthenol
papaya
Patrinia
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Pentatropis capensis
peony
perilla
Petiveria
Peucedanum
phellodendron amurense
phlorotannins
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Plumbago zeylanica
polyphenols
Polypodium
Portulaca
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
Premna
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Propolis
Prunus
Pulsatilla
ricinoleic acid
rosmarinic acid
Rubus
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandy Everlasting
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Sicklepod
Silk protein
Sinapis arvensis
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smartweed
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Southernwood
Speedwell
Sphaeranthus indicus
Squalene
Stereospermum
streptococcus thermophilus
Sumac
sweetgums
Sword Bean
Tayuya
Tea Tree Oil
Terpenoids
thyme
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tinospora cordifolia
Trichosanthes
Triphala
typhonium
Varuna
Verbascoside
Viola
Violet
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Water Pepper
Winter Savory
Witch Hazel
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene
Zucchini

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