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

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Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been traditionally used in various systems of medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, to treat infections and inflammatory conditions. However, beyond its traditional use, modern scientific research has demonstrated that licorice root contains several bioactive compounds—most notably glycyrrhizin and liquiritigenin—that exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro studies have shown that glycyrrhizin can inhibit the replication of certain viruses, including hepatitis viruses and herpes simplex virus. Additionally, licorice extracts have demonstrated antibacterial effects against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, though these effects are generally modest compared to standard antibiotics.

Despite these promising findings, most of the evidence comes from laboratory research or animal models, with fewer high-quality clinical trials in humans. Some small studies have suggested potential benefits in treating peptic ulcers and upper respiratory tract infections, but larger, well-controlled studies are lacking. Overall, licorice root’s use for infection is supported by both tradition and emerging scientific data, particularly for viral infections, but the clinical evidence remains preliminary. Caution is needed due to potential side effects, especially with long-term or high-dose use, such as hypertension and hypokalemia.

More about licorice root
More about Infection

Other ingredients used for Infection

2'-Fucosyllactose
ajoene
allspice
alpha-pinene
green chiretta
annatto
arabinogalactan
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bayberry
bearberry
myrobalan
Beta-Glucan
betel
bifidobacterium infantis
bisabolol
black pepper
black walnut
burdock
caprylic acid
cassia bark
cat's claw
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
cuspidatum root
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
immunoglobin G
Indian gum arabic tree
iodine
L12-myoviridae
lactobacillus brevis
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
LH01-myoviridae
licorice root
LL12-myoviridae
LL5-siphoviridae
mangosteen
monolaurin
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oregon grape
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
sweet wormwood
T4D-myoviridae
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
wasabia japonica
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
neem tree
malabar nut
hedychium spicatum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
pau d'arco
prickly ash
myrrh
yerba santa
amber
flowering quince
fern
oriental arborvitae
birch
eucalyptus
polyporus
white oak
sea salt
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Aquilegia viridiflora
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Artesunate
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Abuta
Alstonia macrophylla
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Bifidobacterium
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Beef liver
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Bisabolene
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
Banyan
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bupleurum
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bignay
Croton seeds
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Colloidal Silver
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Cactus
Carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
Cajuput
Chlorophytum
Catechu
Celandine
Citral
Centipeda
Cistus
Corktree
Cubeb
Cinchona
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynodon dactylon
Cassava
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Dense Fruit Dittany
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
Deoxyandrographolides
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Echinodorus
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Embelia
Eugenol
Glucanase
Milk Protein
Sandalwood
Sumac

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