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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in various traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. In these systems, licorice root is considered a harmonizing herb and is often included in formulations for a range of endocrine and respiratory disorders. When it comes to goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland typically due to iodine deficiency or autoimmune thyroid disease, licorice root has been used in traditional medicine, but not as a primary remedy. Instead, its inclusion is usually justified by its purported ability to "harmonize" or "support" glandular function, reduce inflammation, and modulate immune responses, rather than directly shrinking goiters or correcting the underlying thyroid disorder. There is limited modern scientific evidence to support licorice root’s efficacy for treating goiter specifically. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that glycyrrhizin, a principal component of licorice, may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which could theoretically benefit autoimmune thyroid conditions. However, there is no robust clinical evidence demonstrating that licorice root can reduce goiter size or significantly improve thyroid function in humans. Furthermore, excessive consumption of licorice can cause serious side effects, including hypertension and hypokalemia. Thus, while its use for goiter is rooted in tradition, it is not strongly supported by modern science.

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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
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Anal Fistula or Fissure
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Appetite (deficient)
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Cirrhosis of the Liver
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Crohn's Disease
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Eczema
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Endometriosis
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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
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Hair (loss or thinning)
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