Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, for various gastrointestinal conditions. More recently, scientific research has investigated its potential benefits for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The active compounds in licorice root, particularly glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and mucosal-protective properties. In vitro and animal studies have shown that licorice extract can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce oxidative stress, and protect the intestinal mucosa from damage.

However, evidence in human clinical trials is limited and often of low quality. A small number of studies suggest that licorice root extracts or its isolated compounds may help reduce inflammation or symptoms in IBD patients, but these studies typically have small sample sizes and short durations. No major clinical guidelines recommend licorice root as a primary or adjunctive therapy for IBD. Additionally, prolonged or excessive consumption of licorice root can cause serious side effects, including hypertension and electrolyte imbalances, due to its glycyrrhizin content.

In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and limited preclinical and early clinical evidence supporting the use of licorice root for IBD, robust clinical data are lacking. Its use should be approached cautiously, and more research is needed to establish efficacy and safety in this context.

More about licorice root
More about Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Other ingredients used for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

2'-Fucosyllactose
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Acemannan
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Aloe vera
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
apigenin
apocynin
arabinoxylan
arctiin
astragalin
avocado
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
barberry
barley
Basidiomycota
bentonite
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bioflavonoids
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Brassica
butternut
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cannabidiol
casticin
cat's claw
celandine
chamomile
chirata
cichoric acid
citrus pectin
Coptis chinensis
cruciferous
curcumin
dandelion
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
ellagitannin
Enterococcus
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fiber
fish oil
flavans
flaxseed
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucoidan
galactooligosaccharides
Glucosinolates
Glutathione
Glycomacropeptides
Glycosphingolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Humic acid
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kaempferol
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Legume protein
licorice root
luteolin
Marshmallow
Myrosinase
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl-glucosamine
Neoandrographolides
nicotinamide riboside
Oligosaccharides
omega-3 fatty acids
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
phlorotannins
Piperine
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
proanthocyanidins
probiotics
procyanidin
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
psyllium
punarnava
punicalagins
reishi mushroom
rosmarinic acid
Rubia cordifolia
Saccharomyces boulardii
shiitake mushroom
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sulforaphane
Swertia
Taraxasterol
Trametes
tributyrin
Tumerone
turmeric
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Xylanase
xylooligosaccharides
Zinc

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