Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Mental Illness

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. In these traditions, licorice root is thought to have harmonizing properties and is often included in herbal formulas intended to support overall vitality and reduce stress. In TCM, it is sometimes used as an adaptogen to help the body cope with emotional and physical stressors, which can indirectly impact mental well-being. However, there is limited direct evidence from these systems suggesting that licorice root specifically treats or supports mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis.

From a scientific perspective, research on licorice root’s impact on mental health is extremely limited. Some studies suggest that compounds in licorice, such as glycyrrhizin, may have neuroprotective or anti-inflammatory effects, which could theoretically play a role in brain health. For example, animal studies have hinted at possible antidepressant-like or anxiolytic-like effects, but these findings are preliminary and not well established in humans. Importantly, no high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated that licorice root supplementation is effective for treating any specific mental illness. Therefore, while licorice root’s use for mental health is rooted in tradition, scientific validation is currently very weak and does not support its use as a primary treatment for mental illness.

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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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Hiatal Hernia
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Itching
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
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Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
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Lungs (fluid in)
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Malaria
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Measles
Menopause
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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
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PMS (general)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Sore Throat
Ulcers