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

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

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 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. In these traditions, licorice root is used for its purported anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and wound-healing properties. It is often included in topical formulations, poultices, or herbal teas meant to support recovery from injuries such as bruises, sprains, or minor wounds. The rationale is based on licorice root’s ability to "harmonize" other herbs and soothe tissues. Some traditional texts specifically mention its role in reducing swelling and promoting tissue repair.

From a scientific perspective, limited in vitro and animal studies suggest that licorice root and its active constituents (such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids) possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These effects could theoretically support the body’s healing response after injury. However, there are no high-quality clinical trials directly demonstrating that licorice root accelerates healing or improves outcomes in human injuries. Therefore, while traditional use is well-established, scientific validation is lacking or indirect at best.

In summary, licorice root’s use in supporting injury recovery is primarily justified by traditional knowledge, with only weak preliminary scientific evidence supporting its potential mechanisms. Caution is advised due to possible side effects with excessive or prolonged use.

More about licorice root
More about Injuries

Other ingredients used for Injuries

Aloe vera
amino acids
bamboo
bayberry
beeswax
Indian frankincense
bovine
bromelain
chymotrypsin
collagen
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
dandelion
dog rose
dyer’s woad root
endo-peptidase
exo-peptidase
fungal protease
ginger
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-glutamine
L-proline
licorice root
spruce
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
papain
protease
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
serratiopeptidase
silicon
Trypsin
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
Zinc
chickweed
typhonium
Clerodendrum indicum
Hedychium spicatum
chaff flower
boxthorne
Yarrow
Moss
Myrrh
solomon's seal
amber
sheep's sorrel
Wintergreen
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Abies spectabilis
geranium
arnica
red root
Aralia
avens
Asclepias cordifolia
Akebia
animal Tissue
antler
Aquilegia viridiflora
asiaticoside
Ardisia
Agave
Agrimony
Achyranthes
anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
aucubin
Anserina
Albumin
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Asam gelugor
Allantoin
Ampelopsis
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Acemannan
Abuta
Alkanna
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
animal protein
bee propolis
Biopeptide
bai ji
Baliospermum
Black spruce
blackthorn
Bulnesia sarmientoi
blubber oil
Blepharis
black-eyed Susan
Boswellic Acid
Beef Protein
Barleria
bone marrow
bovine protein
benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
bindweed
banyan
Bletilla
black root
comfrey
Centella triterpenes
Calendula
Casearia esculenta
Monkey flower
Calotropis gigantea
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cinquefoil
Cyathula
Ceylon leadwort
cedar
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
cypress
cranesbill
Chinese thoroughwax
Carlina
carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Connective tissue growth factor
cocklebur
Collinsonia
castor oil
Calyptridium umbellatum
Casearia sylvestris
Didymocarpus
deer root
Damulin A
deer velvet
dragon\'s blood
devil\'s club
dianthrone
Dwarf Nettle
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Davilla rugosa
deerbrush
Epidermal Growth Factor
Erythropalum scandens
Erigeron
elephant vine
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
elk antler
Echinacea
emu oil
Euphorbia
Egg protein
elastase
fiesta flower
Flueggea suffruticosa
fang-feng
Formosan sweet-gum
ficin
fibrinase
frankincense
fireweed
four-leaved grass
genipap
Gleditsia
Glutamine
Gumweed
Gambir
Genipa americana
golden eye-grass
giant blazingstar
giant trillium
golden ragwort
golden shower tree
Golden Willow
Guazuma ulmifolia
Homalomena
Hydrocolloid
hound\'s tongue
hairy arnica
Hyaluronidase
Indian nightshade
iridoid glycosides
Immortelle
joe-pye
Jatoba
Kigelia africana
Kochia
Kalanchoe pinnatum
lacquertree
Ledebouriella
Levant cotton
Lophira lanceolata
lysozyme
Lygodium
Leptospermum scoparium
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Marsh Tea
Malay bush
Matico
Monardella odoratissima
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Mountain pride
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Marking Nut Tree
Manchurian thorn
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Ocotillo
Oxytropis falcata
purple Tephrosia
Psacalium peltatum
Peptidase
Phlebodium decumanum
Peptidohydrolase
proteolytic enzymes
Pellitory
Pentatropis capensis
Plumbago zeylanica
Pacific madrone
Pedra hume
Potentilla
Rosy conk
red alder
red spiderling
Rubia yunnanensis
Rosa californica
Sanicle
Spilanthes
Sinapis arvensis
Sargentodoxa
Spanish Needle
Sausage Tree
Silverweed
Self-Heal
Smooth Alder
Serrapeptase
Sangre de Grado
Snakeroot
Sanguisorba
Silk protein
Slippery Elm
Sarcandra glabra
Sida cordifolia
Scabrous Gentian
Semecarpus anacardium
Skunkvine
Sweet Clover
Stone Root
Servicetree
Smoketree
Tillandsia
Tripeptide
Tridax
Tree of heaven
Takuna
Triplaris peruviana
Tynanthus elegans
Uraria picta
White Dead Nettle Flower
Wrightia tinctoria
Wild Daisy
White Poplar
Weak Jumby Pepper
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa

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