Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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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 traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Unani. In these systems, licorice root is believed to possess anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and harmonizing properties. It has been topically applied or consumed to help with various skin and scalp conditions, including dandruff, scalp irritation, and, by extension, hair loss or thinning. The traditional rationale is that soothing scalp inflammation or irritation can improve the environment for hair growth, and the herb’s purported blood-circulating and anti-androgenic effects may indirectly support hair health.

However, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited. A few laboratory and animal studies have investigated licorice’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-androgenic properties. For example, glycyrrhizin (the active compound in licorice) has been shown to reduce inflammation in skin models, and some in vitro research suggests it may inhibit enzymes involved in androgen metabolism, which could theoretically play a role in androgenic alopecia (pattern hair loss). Nevertheless, there are no well-designed human clinical trials directly linking licorice root (topical or oral) to prevention or treatment of hair loss or thinning.

In summary, while licorice root is traditionally used to support scalp and hair health, scientific evidence for its efficacy in treating hair loss or thinning is weak to nonexistent. Its use for this purpose is thus best characterized as “traditional,” with minimal scientific validation.

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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
Allergies (respiratory)
Amenorrhea
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Bronchitis
Canker Sores
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholera
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Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
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Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
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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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Inflammation
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Itching
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Jaundice (adults)
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Lyme Disease
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Mononucleosis
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Oral Surgery
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Overacidity
Pertussis
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PMS (general)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Sore Throat
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