Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice
For the health condition: Stress

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Synopsis

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

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for various ailments including stress-related conditions. In TCM, licorice is often used as an adaptogen—an agent believed to help the body adapt to stress and restore balance. Historically, it has been incorporated into herbal formulas thought to "harmonize" other ingredients and support adrenal function, which is linked to the body's stress response. From a scientific perspective, the main active constituent, glycyrrhizin, has been studied for its effects on cortisol metabolism. Glycyrrhizin inhibits the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which converts active cortisol to its inactive form, cortisone. This mechanism can theoretically prolong the effects of endogenous cortisol, potentially supporting the body's ability to cope with stress. However, rigorous clinical trials directly investigating licorice for stress management in humans are limited. Most evidence remains preclinical or is extrapolated from its effects on cortisol metabolism. Given the lack of robust clinical trials, the evidence supporting licorice’s use for stress is primarily traditional, with modest support from mechanistic studies. It is important to note that long-term or excessive use of licorice can cause serious side effects, such as hypertension and hypokalemia, due to its impact on mineralocorticoid activity. Therefore, while traditional use is well-documented, scientific validation for stress treatment remains limited.

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Products containing Licorice

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.