Licorice

Names in Different Languages

English	Licorice
Urdu	ملٹھی
Hindi	मुलेठी
Farsi	شیرین‌بیان
Unani	Aslussoos
French	Réglisse
German	Süßholz

Traditional Uses

In Ayurveda, Unani and Chinese medicine, licorice root has long been used for cough and sore throat, digestive complaints including stomach irritation, and as a sweetener and harmonizing ingredient in herbal formulas.

Modern Research

Glycyrrhizin and flavonoids are the main active compounds. Evidence supports traditional use for cough and throat comfort and for stomach lining protection (especially deglycyrrhizinated licorice, DGL). The same glycyrrhizin that gives licorice its effects causes its main risk: with chronic high intake it mimics aldosterone and can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.

Uses

• Cough and sore throat relief
• Digestive and stomach-lining support
• Skin support (traditional, external)
• Respiratory comfort

Benefits of Use

• Respiratory support: demulcent action may soothe cough and sore throat
• Digestive support: DGL may support stomach lining and ease indigestion
• Skin support: traditional external use for minor skin irritation
• Throat comfort: lozenges and teas traditionally used for hoarseness

Safe Dose & Overdose (mg/g)

Side Effects

• High blood pressure with chronic high intake
• Potassium loss, fluid retention and swelling (oedema)
• Heart rhythm problems in severe potassium loss
• Headache and fatigue from blood-pressure effects
• Hormonal effects with very long-term high intake

Interactions

• Diuretics (water pills): increased potassium loss
• Corticosteroids: increased potassium loss and blood-pressure effects
• Blood-pressure medicines: licorice may counteract them
• Blood thinners: may increase bleeding risk in theory
• Digoxin and other heart medicines: risk rises if potassium falls

Sources

• NutraSmarts Glycyrrhizina
• DietarySupplementDB Licorice
• LearningHerbs Licorice