Licorice Root Benefits, Usage, & Side Effects

Licorice root has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. The Latin names for licorice root are Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. 

You may have heard it called by other names, such as:

• Licorice
• Liquorice
• Sweetgrass
• Sweet root
• Gan cao
• Gan-zao 

Licorice grows predominantly in Asia, Greece, and Turkey and can be found in powder, oil, and herb form. In the United States, we use it most often as a flavoring for beverages, candy, alcohol, tobacco, and medications. Licorice root is also found in cosmetics, skin, and hair care products.

The roots and underground stems are where the compounds are found that give this sweet root its health benefits. Anise oil may be used in its place because of its similar taste and smell to licorice root.

Over the years there have been many studies as to the benefits this herb holds. With over 300 different compounds, licorice root is said to contain medicinal properties, including:

• Antiviral
• Anti-allergic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antitumor
• Antifungal 
• Antioxidative 
• Anti-ulcerative
• Anti-carcinogenic

Glycyrrhizin gives licorice its sweetness and is the reason this medicinal root works well for gastrointestinal disorders. When converted to glycyrrhetinic acid, licorice acts as a corticosteroid.

Let’s look at some ways that licorice root may provide some health benefits.

1. Eczema

This itchy, scaly, inflamed rash plagues over 30 million Americans, according to the National Eczema Association. Eczema can also be called atopic dermatitis. While not contagious, it can be a tough skin disease to deal with.

One study shows that a topical licorice gel made from glycyrrhizin extract could treat the condition. 

Another study found that using an extract from the leaves and root of the plant can kill bacteria on the skin. This antimicrobial effect could help heal the skin, reducing episodes of dermatitis like eczema.

While more studies and trials are needed, as noted in this systematic review, certain properties in the licorice root are showing promise.

Skincare

Licorice root extract and powder is also used in skin and hair care products. There are three main compounds from this sweet root that can make it a valuable part of your skin routine:

• Glycyrrhizin: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, used to clear up skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea.
• Glabridin: fights free radicals and reduces hyperpigmentation, evening the skin tone, dark spots, and sun damage.
• Licochalcone A: protects against damage from ultraviolet rays, promotes antioxidant production.

How is it best to use licorice root on the skin? There are several ways:

• Mixing the powder or ground herb with an emulsifier (coconut oil, argan oil, aloe vera, etc).
• Use the extract directly on the skin (use caution by testing on a small area of skin first to determine any sensitivity).
• Purchase a ready-made skin care product containing licorice root.

2. Gastritis and Peptic Ulcers

Helicobacter pylori, or more commonly known as H. pylori, is the bacteria that causes gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. If the bacteria is not completely killed, it’s likely that it will reoccur within a year. If you or anyone you know suffers from this bacterial disease, licorice may be a viable option.

This in vitro (outside a living organism) study of licorice extract shows that it can kill the H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. Other studies done on medical patients have found the same results.

In this study, 60 patients were divided into two groups to test the effects of licorice compared to bismuth. At the end of the trial, they did a urea breath test to determine if there were traces of the bacteria. Twenty percent of the licorice group tested negative compared to 17 percent of the bismuth group. 

For those who can’t take bismuth, licorice is a viable option to eradicate the H. pylori bacteria.

Here, similar results were found in a group of 40 affected patients. Licorice not only killed the bacteria but also proved to reduce associated pain.

3. Liver disease

The antiviral properties of licorice root have proven it to be a viable option for those suffering from liver disease. 

Hepatitis C is a common form of liver disease. Licorice is recommended as a treatment method by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Bioactive compounds in the licorice root are sourced to create antivirals as they are found to inhibit the virus.

Some of the same compounds in licorice also provide antioxidant defense and anti-inflammatory properties to protect and heal the liver. Mice were treated for alcohol-induced fatty liver disease, which was reversed thanks to licorice.

Licorice also fights oxidative stress and inflammation, two big contributors to liver diseases. Liver damage and other inflammatory diseases have been treated successfully by licorice extract using various compounds and methods.

Some studies even suggest combining the right compounds and constituents correctly could prevent and kill liver cancer cells. 

4. Cancer

The ability to inhibit cancer cell and tumor growth makes licorice a popular source for cancer research. Nutrition and Cancer scientists believe that elements like aglycone glycyrrhizic acid, various polyphenols, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides cause apoptosis (cancer cell death).

PC-SPES is an herbal formula made up of eight herbs, one of them licorice. The formula has been tested with some success for prostate cancer, but human trials are still needed.

Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid are being used to test for other cancers as well:

• Skin cancers
• Melanoma
• Breast cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Lung cancer

Due to the side effects of chemotherapy, which can be severe, using licorice root may be a viable option in the future.  H. pylori sufferers with gastric or peptic cancer could see licorice used to slow or even stop the spread of cancer cells.

5. SARS

Back in the early 2000s, sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was making its rounds. Licorice became an herb of interest when it was found people practicing Chinese medicine were drinking extracts and not falling ill.

Researchers found glycyrrhizin could slow virus production and prevent it from attaching to host cells in the respiratory system. 

Though trials were successful, the large amounts needed to attack the virus would prove too toxic on the system to be produced.

6. Oral Health

Eating licorice may actually be good for your teeth by killing bacteria and reducing cavities. 

Compounds licoricidin and licorisoflavan A have been found to kill bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

One researcher created a sugar-free licorice extract lollipop and gave them to young children. The licorice was able to kill salivary bacteria that cause cavities, preventing this common problem in both children and adults.

If you’re planning to try this, be sure to look for sugar-free options that contain actual licorice root and not anise oil.

You can even ditch the toothbrush and opt for a licorice root to brush your teeth instead. Just don’t use this as an excuse to avoid the dentist. 

How to Use Licorice Root

The best way to use licorice root depends on the reason you’re using it. It comes in a variety of forms:

• Liquid
• Powder
• Ground herb
• Capsules
• Chewable tablets

The recommended dosage varies depending on the form and need. Here are a few more ways people have used licorice root over the years to benefit their health:

• Purchasing tea bags with ground root or steeping the ground herb in hot water to relieve respiratory or gastrointestinal problems.
• Chewing on licorice root tablets or taking capsules as prescribed by a doctor to reduce inflammation or provide heartburn relief.
• Sucking on a lozenge containing licorice extract prior to surgery to reduce cough after waking.
• Gargling with fluid containing licorice liquid prior to being intubated to reduce postoperative sore throat (POST) once the tube is removed.

While licorice root is a suitable option for certain health issues, it may not be right for everyone.

Contraindications and Side Effects of Licorice Root Use

As with some herbs, there are some side effects and contraindications for certain people. 

Contraindications

As one Finnish study conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology found, women who are pregnant should use caution. The compound glycyrrhizin could cause cognition, psychiatric, or neuroendocrine problems in their offspring.

Though, another study shows that heavy usage (>500mg/week) of licorice could cause preterm labor and potentially lower birth weight.

Any unexplained muscle weakness could be a sign of eating too much licorice, which can cause hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Overconsumption of licorice can also prevent cortisol from converting to cortisone, causing pseudo-hyperaldosteronism.

Anyone sensitive to glycyrrhizin may find they have a lower tolerance to licorice than others. If you have some side effects after taking a small amount of licorice, avoid using or consuming it.

Side Effects

Long-term consumption of licorice root could cause a host of potential side effects like:

• Low potassium
• High blood pressure (especially in those 40 or older)
• Kidney disease
• Water retention
• Sodium retention
• Headaches
• Reduction or elimination of menstrual periods
• Decreased sexual function for men

Excessive use has also been known to cause certain neurological, cardiovascular, and renal abnormalities in some people. 

If you do use licorice root, it’s best to let your doctor know, in case there’s a chance for side effects or another reason not to. There are also certain medical conditions that require medication that isn’t compatible with licorice.

For long-term use or sensitivities, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (the removal of glycyrrhizic acid) or DGL may be used instead. The FDA warns people 40 and older that over 2 oz (75 mg) of  glycyrrhizin daily can cause dangerously low potassium levels or arrhythmia. 

If you take certain medications, you should not use licorice root, including:

• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Estrogen pills (Premarin, ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, etc.)
• Ethacrynic Acid (Edecrin)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• High blood pressure medications
• Corticosteroids
• Water pills
• Medications changed by the liver

For those who are able to use licorice root, there are options available to purchase the herb.

Where to Buy Licorice Root

You can find licorice root in most forms at health food stores and online. To get the benefits from licorice root tea, you can find it in grocery stores or anywhere else teas are sold.

Be sure to check the ingredients to know that you’re getting true licorice root and not anise or something else.

If you feel up to it and have the opportunity, ask someone working in the produce department more about how and where it is sourced. Smaller stores that specialize in healthy products usually have a wealth of knowledge regarding their particular selection.

The Bottom Line

Licorice root has been used for thousands of years to help heal in a variety of ways. While it’s not for everyone, sweetgrass can be used in different forms with positive results for some health problems.

Be sure to work with your doctor before using or eating licorice so you know it’s safe. There is a chance you can overdose on licorice, so proceed with caution until you know how it will affect you.

To help boost immunity and ensure you get adequate intake of greens, Vintage Bloom™ is a great choice. Add this superfood product to your daily routine to stay healthy and improve the power of herbs like licorice root.

Have you used licorice root in some form for a health or skin issue? What did you think of the results? We’d love to hear your story in the comments below.