Glycyrrhiza glabra (commonly used; other Glycyrrhiza species exist)
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Description
Licorice is a perennial plant in the legume family. Its root is used in flavorings and herbal preparations, including teas and extracts. Licorice products may contain different Glycyrrhiza species, including Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Regular licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound associated with serious adverse effects. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is processed to remove glycyrrhizin. These preparations differ, and neither their effects nor their safety should be assumed interchangeable.
Other Common Names
Licorice root; liquorice; sweet root
Medicinal Uses
Licorice has traditional uses for throat and digestive complaints, but there is not enough high-quality evidence to clearly support its use for any health condition.
Whether licorice alone improves digestive symptoms remains unclear. DGL should not be presented as a proven digestive treatment.
Some research suggests possible benefits from specific mouth rinses for recurrent canker sores and from gargles or lozenges for sore throat after surgical intubation. These findings do not establish the same benefits for licorice tea or routine sore throats.
Potential benefits must be considered alongside licorice’s significant safety risks, particularly for products containing glycyrrhizin.
Dosage and Administration
There is no universal safe dose for licorice products. Risk depends on glycyrrhizin content, amount, duration, medical conditions, and medications.
Seek pharmacist or clinician advice before medicinal use. Product directions do not override precautions for high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, pregnancy, or medication interactions.
Regular licorice, DGL, tea, and extracts are not interchangeable. Do not assume that a small amount or short course of glycyrrhizin-containing licorice is safe for a susceptible person.
Common Preparations
- Root tea or infusion: may contain glycyrrhizin and carries the precautions associated with regular licorice.
- Capsules, tablets, and extracts: ingredients and glycyrrhizin content vary; check the specific product label.
- Lozenges and syrups: may contain regular licorice, DGL, or other ingredients. Do not infer their composition from the product name.
- DGL: deglycyrrhizinated licorice, processed to remove glycyrrhizin. This does not establish digestive benefits or suitability for everyone.
Licorice-flavored candy is not a substitute for a medicinal preparation. Some products contain actual licorice, while others use anise flavoring; check the ingredients.
Licorice root comes from Glycyrrhiza plants, including Glycyrrhiza glabra. It has traditional medicinal uses, but high-quality evidence is insufficient to clearly support its use for any health condition. Whether licorice alone improves digestive symptoms remains unclear.
Regular licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious adverse effects. DGL is processed to remove glycyrrhizin, but that does not establish its effectiveness or suitability for everyone.
Licorice-flavored candy is not a substitute for a medicinal preparation. Some products contain actual licorice, while others use anise flavoring. Check the ingredients rather than relying on the name.
Evidence Summary
There is not enough high-quality evidence to clearly support licorice for any health condition. Whether products containing licorice alone improve digestive symptoms remains unclear.
Some studies suggest possible benefits from specific licorice mouth rinses, gargles, lozenges, or topical preparations. These findings should not be extended to licorice tea or other products.
Regular licorice and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) differ in glycyrrhizin content. Removing glycyrrhizin does not establish that DGL is effective for digestive symptoms or suitable for everyone.
Safety Considerations
- Glycyrrhizin in regular licorice can cause serious adverse effects, including abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac arrest, particularly with large amounts or prolonged use.
- Even small amounts have been linked to serious harm in people with high blood pressure, heart or kidney conditions, or high salt intake. Do not assume a low dose is safe.
- DGL products have glycyrrhizin removed, but this does not make them automatically effective or suitable for everyone.
- Consult a pharmacist or clinician before medicinal use if you take medication. Interactions with corticosteroids have been reported.
- Large amounts of oral licorice during pregnancy are unsafe. Seek professional advice before medicinal use during pregnancy; breastfeeding safety is poorly understood.
- Stop use and seek medical advice for unusual weakness, swelling, or palpitations. Chest pain, fainting, or severe breathing difficulty requires emergency care.
Possible Side Effects
Regular licorice containing glycyrrhizin can cause serious adverse effects, including abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac arrest. Risk is greater with large amounts or prolonged use, but susceptible people can be harmed by small amounts.
Licorice applied to the skin may cause irritation. DGL has glycyrrhizin removed and has a different risk profile, but it should not be assumed to be free of side effects.
Interactions & Contraindications
Interactions between licorice and corticosteroid medicines have been reported.
If you take any medication, ask a pharmacist or prescribing clinician before medicinal licorice use. Provide the product label, whether it contains glycyrrhizin or is DGL, and the intended amount and duration.
People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease should not self-treat with glycyrrhizin-containing licorice. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines to use licorice.
Who Should Avoid It
- People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease should not self-treat with glycyrrhizin-containing licorice. Serious effects can occur even with small amounts.
- People taking medication, especially corticosteroids, should seek pharmacist or clinician advice before medicinal use.
- People who are pregnant should avoid self-treatment with oral licorice. Large amounts are unsafe; smaller amounts should not be assumed safe.
- People who are breastfeeding should seek professional advice because safety information is limited.
- People with a known allergy to licorice or another product ingredient should avoid that product.
DGL is a different preparation, but it should not be assumed suitable for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between licorice root and DGL?
Regular licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious adverse effects. DGL is processed to remove glycyrrhizin. This difference does not establish that DGL improves digestive symptoms or is suitable for everyone. Check the specific product label.
Can I use licorice candy instead of licorice root?
No. Candy is not a substitute for a medicinal preparation. Some licorice-flavored products contain anise rather than licorice, while others contain actual licorice and may expose you to glycyrrhizin. Check the ingredients.
Is licorice safe for everyone?
No. Glycyrrhizin-containing licorice can cause serious harm, especially in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease. Even small amounts can be harmful to susceptible people. DGL is different, but it is not automatically suitable for everyone.
How long can I take licorice root?
There is no duration that is safe for everyone. Risk depends on glycyrrhizin content, amount, medical conditions, and medications. Prolonged use increases concern, but short-term use does not guarantee safety. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before medicinal use.
What symptoms would suggest I should stop licorice?
Stop and seek medical advice if you experience concerning symptoms such as unusual weakness, muscle cramps, swelling, severe headache, or palpitations.
Sources
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety. Updated April 2025. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root