Benefits of Licorice: What Research Shows About This Ancient Herbal Remedy

Licorice has been used in traditional medicine systems for thousands of years — in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and European herbal traditions alike. Today it occupies an interesting space: it's a common candy flavoring, a traditional remedy, and an increasingly studied botanical with a range of bioactive compounds. Understanding what research actually shows — and where the evidence gets complicated — helps frame what licorice may or may not offer.

What Licorice Actually Is

Licorice root comes from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra (and related species). Its most studied active compound is glycyrrhizin (also called glycyrrhizic acid), a natural sweetener roughly 50 times sweeter than sucrose. Beyond glycyrrhizin, licorice root contains flavonoids (including liquiritin and isoliquiritin), chalcones, and various other phytochemicals that researchers believe contribute to its reported properties.

It's important to distinguish between:

• Whole licorice root (dried or powdered)
• Licorice root extract (standardized or non-standardized)
• Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) — a processed form with most glycyrrhizin removed, often used in supplements targeting digestive health
• Licorice candy — most commercial licorice candy contains little or no actual licorice root and is flavored with anise instead

These forms have meaningfully different compositions and are not interchangeable in research contexts.

What the Research Generally Shows 🌿

Digestive and Gut Health

One of the most consistently researched areas for licorice is gastrointestinal support. DGL supplements have been studied in the context of stomach discomfort, gastric lining health, and symptoms associated with acid irritation. Some clinical studies suggest DGL may support the mucous lining of the stomach, though the evidence is not conclusive across large-scale trials.

Whole licorice root has also been examined for its potential role in H. pylori management as part of combination approaches, with some preliminary findings showing activity against that bacteria in laboratory and small human studies. This is considered emerging rather than established evidence.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Glycyrrhizin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in multiple laboratory and animal studies. It appears to influence certain inflammatory pathways, including inhibition of enzymes involved in the inflammatory response. However, most robust mechanistic data comes from in vitro (cell culture) or animal research. Human clinical evidence for specific inflammatory conditions remains more limited.

Antioxidant Activity

Licorice flavonoids — particularly glabridin — show antioxidant properties in lab studies, meaning they can neutralize free radicals in controlled settings. Whether this translates to meaningful antioxidant effects in the human body at typical intake levels is less clear. Bioavailability from oral consumption can vary significantly based on the form of licorice, individual gut microbiome differences, and concurrent dietary factors.

Respiratory Tract Support

Traditional uses include licorice as an expectorant — something to help loosen mucus in the respiratory tract. Some small studies support a mild soothing or demulcent effect on throat and upper respiratory tissue, though this is an area where evidence remains preliminary.

Adrenal and Cortisol-Related Research

Glycyrrhizin inhibits an enzyme (11β-HSD2) that breaks down cortisol, which has generated research interest in the context of adrenal function and fatigue. This same mechanism is the basis for several of licorice's known risks — it can functionally elevate cortisol activity, which has implications for blood pressure and electrolyte balance discussed further below.

Key Variables That Shape Individual Outcomes

Research findings on licorice don't apply uniformly. Several factors significantly influence how a person responds:

The Risk Side of Glycyrrhizin ⚠️

Licorice is one of the clearer examples in herbal medicine where a "natural" substance carries well-documented risks at higher exposures. Glycyrrhizin's effect on cortisol metabolism can lead to pseudohyperaldosteronism — a condition involving elevated blood pressure, low potassium levels, and fluid retention. This has been documented in cases of excessive or prolonged licorice consumption, including from whole-root supplements, traditional preparations, and even certain candies containing real licorice extract.

Regulatory agencies in several countries have issued guidance on licorice intake limits, particularly for people with hypertension or cardiovascular conditions. DGL supplements are generally considered to carry less of this specific risk, but no form is completely without consideration.

Where the Evidence Stands

Most of the research supporting licorice's benefits is either:

• Preclinical (cell and animal studies) with limited human translation confirmed
• Small-scale human studies with methodological limitations
• Traditional use documentation — valuable as a signal but not equivalent to clinical evidence

A handful of applications — particularly DGL for gastric comfort and glycyrrhizin's anti-inflammatory mechanisms — have a more developed evidence base, though still short of definitive clinical proof for most uses.

What This Means for Different People

Someone without underlying health conditions who uses licorice root in moderate, short-term amounts faces a different picture than someone managing blood pressure, taking diuretics, or pregnant. A person specifically seeking digestive support might look at DGL differently than someone drawn to licorice for its adaptogenic or cortisol-related properties.

The phytochemical composition of a supplement, how it's processed, whether it's standardized, what else is in someone's diet, and what medications they take all interact in ways that make the question of licorice's benefits — and risks — genuinely individual. The research establishes the general landscape; where a specific person stands within it is a different question entirely.