Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the body system: Sympathetic Nervous System

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Synopsis

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

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has long been used in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic practices, for its adaptogenic and tonic properties. In these traditions, licorice is sometimes used to "invigorate Qi" or support the body's resilience to stress, which loosely corresponds to supporting the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in modern terms. The rationale behind its use traditionally is that licorice root is thought to help the body cope with physical and emotional stress by modulating energy and vitality.

Scientifically, licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can affect cortisol metabolism by inhibiting the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This inhibition can lead to increased levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, which is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—a system that interacts with the SNS. However, direct evidence that licorice root supports or modulates the SNS specifically is limited. Most research focuses instead on its effects on cortisol rather than direct SNS activity (such as norepinephrine or epinephrine levels or sympathetic nerve activity). Existing studies are preliminary, often in vitro or in animal models, and do not conclusively validate licorice root’s role in SNS support in humans.

In summary, licorice root’s use for SNS support is primarily rooted in traditional use, with only indirect or mechanistic scientific support. More robust, targeted clinical trials are needed to substantiate its use for this specific purpose.

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