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

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