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

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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, especially in Asia, for liver-related ailments including hepatitis. However, its use for hepatitis is not only rooted in tradition—there is some scientific evidence supporting its effects. The key active compound, glycyrrhizin, has been studied for its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. Notably, intravenous glycyrrhizin (as Stronger Neo-Minophagen C, SNMC) has been used in Japan since the 1940s as an adjunct therapy for chronic hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C.

Clinical studies and meta-analyses suggest glycyrrhizin may reduce liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST) and histological liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis patients. Its mechanisms include inhibition of viral replication (notably HBV and HCV) and suppression of liver inflammation. A 2012 Cochrane review found that glycyrrhizin injections may improve biochemical and histological markers in chronic hepatitis, though evidence for long-term clinical outcomes (e.g., progression to cirrhosis or survival benefit) is limited and not definitive.

However, most evidence comes from intravenous formulations, not oral licorice root supplements. Oral use is less studied, and licorice can cause significant side effects, including hypertension, hypokalemia, and edema. Thus, while there is scientific validation for specific licorice root preparations in hepatitis, particularly in Japan, the overall quality and breadth of evidence is moderate (rated 3 of 5).

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Other ingredients used for Hepatitis

Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
AHCC
Ajuga
Albumin
Algae
American Liverleaf
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
Antrodia camphorata
aster root
astragalin
astragaloside
astragalus
atractylone
aucubin
Auricularia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bacteria
bael
baicalin
Basidiomycota
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
BCAA
Bergenia
bergenin
betulinic acid
bitter grass
black cumin
black root
black seed
blackboard tree
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borotutu
branched-chain amino acids
Broussonetia
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
Carthamus
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
Celosia
chaga mushroom
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese silkvine
chirata
Clerodendrum indicum
commiphora
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
corilagin
coriolus mushroom
Cynodon dactylon
cytokines
dandelion
Desmodium
Dianthus
Ficus simplicissima
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavonolignan
Flueggea suffruticosa
fucoidan
ganoderma
Globulins
Glucan peptides
Glutathione
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
green chiretta
Hygrophila
Hyperoside
Immunoglobulin G
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
isosilybin
jujube
knotweed
L-cysteine
L-glutathione
labrador tea
Lactoferrin
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lichen
licorice root
Ligustrum
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
Marine lipid
Milk thistle
Momordica
Morning glory
Morus
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Neoandrographolides
Nymphaea nouchali
oleanolic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
oregon grape
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Oroxylum indicum
Oxymatrine
pagoda tree
Palo Azul
parsley
Patrinia
paw paw
peony
Phellodendron
Picroside
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonum
polysaccharides
Portulaca
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protein
punarnava
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rice
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Sarivan
sarsaparilla
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
seaweed
selenium
shiitake mushroom
Silybin
Silybum
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sophora
spirulina
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sumac
Swertia
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Terminalia
Tinospora cordifolia
Trametes
Tremella
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Varuna
vitamin C
vitamin E
Wax Gourd
Yin Chen
Zinc
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