Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Leaky Gut Syndrome

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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, particularly in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for gastrointestinal complaints. However, in the context of Leaky Gut Syndrome—a modern construct referring to increased intestinal permeability—the scientific evidence is limited but emerging. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that certain compounds in licorice root, particularly deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), may help protect the gut lining. These effects are thought to result from licorice root's anti-inflammatory, mucoprotective, and antimicrobial properties, which might contribute to enhanced intestinal barrier function.

In vitro and animal studies indicate that licorice root extracts can upregulate proteins involved in tight junctions and reduce inflammatory cytokines, both relevant mechanisms in the context of gut permeability. However, human clinical trials specifically targeting Leaky Gut Syndrome are sparse. Most human studies focus on licorice's effects on peptic ulcers, gastritis, or general digestive comfort. As such, while there is a plausible scientific rationale and some supportive preliminary data, robust clinical validation in humans for directly treating or supporting "leaky gut" remains lacking. Thus, the use of licorice root for this purpose is best rated as having weak-to-moderate scientific evidence (2 out of 5), pending more focused clinical research.

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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
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Hernias
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Hiatal Hernia
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Hypotension
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Infection
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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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Menopause
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Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Morning Sickness
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Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
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Night Sweating
Nocturnal Emission
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pertussis
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PMS (general)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Sore Throat
Ulcers