Licorice Root

Species Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra.

A member of the pea family, licorice root has been used since ancient times as food, and as medicine. In Chinese herbology, licorice is an ingredient in nearly all herbal formulas for the traditional purpose of "harmonizing" the separate herbs involved.

The herb licorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin, which when taken in high enough amounts, produces effects similar to those of the natural hormone aldosterone, causing fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and loss of potassium.

To prevent this, manufacturers have found a way to remove glycyrrhizin from licorice, producing the safer product deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL.

What is Licorice Root: The root of the licorice plant

Home remedies using licorice root:

Benefits of Licorice Root:

Use by those on aspirin and anti-inflammatory regimens could benefit from licorice root, because it could help prevent ulcers and stomach problems common with these medicines.

Uses of Licorice Root:

Ulcers, mouth ulcers, stomach irritants, eczema, psoriasis, or herpes.

A typical dose of whole licorice is five to fifteen g daily. However, we do not recommend the use of doses this high for more than a few weeks.

For long term consumption, about 0.3 g of licorice root daily should be safe for most adults. Individuals who wish to take a higher dose should do so only under the supervision of a physician.

For the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, or herpes, a 2% licorice gel or cream is applied twice daily to the affected area.

Side Effects of Licorice Root:

Use of whole licorice has not been associated with significant short term adverse effects. Prolonged use may cause high blood pressure, fluid retention, and symptoms related to loss of potassium.

Such effects are especially dangerous for people who take the drug digoxin or medications that deplete the body of potassium or who have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease.

Whole licorice may have other side effects as well. For example, it appears to reduce testosterone levels in men.   For this reason, men with impotence, infertility,  or decreased libido may wish to avoid this herb.

Licorice may also increase both the positive and negative effects of corticosteroids such as prednisone and hydrocortisone cream. In addition, some evidence suggests that licorice might affect the liver's ability to metabolize other medications as well, but the extent of this effect has not been fully determined.

Licorice shouldn't be taken by pregnant or nursing women, or women who have had breast cancer, because whole licorice possesses significant estrogenic activity, and some evidence indicates that licorice increases risk of premature birth.

Do not use licorice root if you are taking:

  • Digoxin: Long-term use of licorice can be dangerous when taking digoxin.
  • Thiazide or loop diuretics: Use of licorice might exacerbate the potassium loss common with the use of such diuretics.
  • Corticosteroid treatment: Do not take licorice internally if using corticosteroids, because it could increase both the negative and positive effects of corticosteroids.