Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Jock Itch

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Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in the Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine systems, for its purported antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties. In the context of jock itch (tinea cruris), which is a fungal infection of the groin area, licorice root has been traditionally applied topically or used in preparations to help relieve itching and reduce inflammation. The rationale is largely based on licorice’s content of glycyrrhizin and related compounds, which exhibit antibacterial and antifungal effects in laboratory studies.

However, while in vitro (test-tube) studies have suggested that licorice root extracts can inhibit the growth of some fungi and bacteria, including species related to dermal infections, robust clinical trials demonstrating efficacy specifically for tinea cruris are lacking. Most of the support for its use is therefore based on traditional knowledge and anecdotal experience rather than high-quality scientific validation. Some modern herbal creams contain licorice root as a supportive ingredient for skin irritations, but these are generally not first-line treatments and should not replace established antifungal medications when treating jock itch.

In summary, licorice root’s use for jock itch is primarily rooted in tradition, supported by limited laboratory data but little direct clinical evidence. It may provide some symptom relief, but its effectiveness compared to standard antifungal therapies remains unproven.

More about licorice root
More about Jock Itch

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
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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
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Measles
Menopause
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Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Morning Sickness
Mumps
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Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
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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