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

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Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, for various inflammatory and infectious conditions. In recent years, its use for oral health, and specifically for gingivitis, has gained attention in scientific research.

The primary bioactive compounds in licorice root, such as glycyrrhizin, glabridin, and licoricidin, have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies. Several in vitro studies have shown that licorice extracts can inhibit the growth of oral pathogens commonly associated with gingivitis, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans. Additionally, licorice constituents have been found to reduce inflammatory responses in gum tissue models.

Clinical evidence, while still limited, is promising. Some small randomized controlled trials have evaluated licorice-containing mouthwashes or oral patches in patients with gingivitis. These studies have reported improvements in gingival inflammation, reduced bleeding on probing, and decreased microbial counts compared to placebo or standard controls.

Overall, the evidence supporting licorice root’s use for gingivitis can be considered moderate (3/5). While traditional use and preclinical data are strong, larger and more robust human trials are needed. Users should also be cautious, as chronic ingestion of licorice root can cause side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia.

More about licorice root
More about Gingivitis

Other ingredients used for Gingivitis

Acacia
Acemannan
Ajoene
Ajuga
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
Alpha hydroxy acids
alpha-terpineol
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
ananain
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
apple cider vinegar
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
aster root
avens
babchi
Bacillus
bacteria
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee propolis
bentonite
benzyl isothiocyanate
betel
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bioflavonoids
bitter grass
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black seed
black walnut
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Boswellic Acid
bromelain
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
Calendula
Camellia sinensis
Carthamus
carvacrol
caryophyllene
cat's claw
catechins
cayenne pepper
Celosia
Centella asiatica
Centipeda
chamomile
chlorophyllin
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut milk
coconut oil
commiphora
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
corktree
costus
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
elephant\'s head
ellagic acid
empresstree
enzymes blend (proprietary)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eugenol
Euphorbia
Evodia
ferula assafoetida
Ficus religiosa
flavans
flavonols
flavonones
frankincense
fucoidan
fulvic acid
Galangal
Gallesia
gallic acid
Gambir
garlic
genipap
geraniol
geranium
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
glyceryl monolaurate
Glycolic acid
Gnaphalium
goldenseal
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Kefir
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
lemon
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
liverwort
Loranthus
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Macaranga indica
mallow
mangostin
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Menthol oil
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Monolaurin
Morinda
Moringa
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nimbidin
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
onion
Onosma bracteatum
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Orris
pagoda tree
parsley
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Pepper Bark Tree
Peppermint
Persimmon
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phlorotannins
Phosphate ascorbate
Physalis angulata
Pimpinella
Piper nigrum
Plectranthus amboinicus
polyphenols
Portulaca
proanthocyanidins
probiotics
procyanidin
procyanidol
Propolis
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
quercetin
Quisqualis
raspberry
Rhus coriaria
rosmarinic acid
Rubus
rutin
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
schizonepeta
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
Sichuan Lovage
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
Sophora
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spilanthes
Stereospermum
Streptococcus oralis
Streptococcus salivarius
streptococcus thermophilus
Sumac
sweet flag
Sword Bean
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
Thymol
trace minerals
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
vitamin E
Water Pepper
White oak
White Tea
Winter Begonia
Wulinshen
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
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