# Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/liquorice-root
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-20
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Ayurveda
**Also Known As:** Glycyrrhiza glabra, Sweet Root, Licorice Root, Gan Cao, Yashtimadhu, European Licorice, Common Liquorice

## Overview

Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin that inhibits 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and modulates [cortisol](/ingredients/condition/stress) [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), contributing to its [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and adrenal-supportive effects. Glycyrrhizin is hydrolyzed in the gut to glycyrrhetinic acid, which also suppresses prostaglandin synthesis and exhibits direct [antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) and expectorant properties.

## Health Benefits

• May help alleviate coughs and respiratory issues by acting as an expectorant, though specific human clinical trials are not detailed. • Potential [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects, traditionally used for gastrointestinal issues, although no RCTs are cited. • Can be used as a natural sweetener due to glycyrrhizin, which is 50-60 times sweeter than sugar. • Historically used in European herbalism for its demulcent properties, addressing sore throat symptoms. • Possible phytoestrogenic effects due to compounds like glabrene and glabridin, but lacks human study confirmation.

## Mechanism of Action

Glycyrrhizin and its active metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid inhibit 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), reducing local [cortisol](/ingredients/condition/stress) inactivation and amplifying glucocorticoid receptor signaling, which underlies its [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity. Glycyrrhetinic acid also inhibits phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase, suppressing leukotriene and prostaglandin production to further reduce inflammation. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) formulations retain flavonoids such as liquiritin and isoliquiritigenin, which stimulate mucin secretion in the gastric mucosa and promote prostaglandin E2-mediated cytoprotection in the gastrointestinal tract.

## Clinical Summary

Clinical evidence for liquorice root is mixed and often limited by small sample sizes and lack of rigorous randomization. A randomized trial of 86 patients with functional dyspepsia found that 75 mg DGL twice daily for 30 days significantly reduced symptom scores compared to placebo, though larger confirmatory trials are lacking. Topical glycyrrhetinic acid formulations have shown statistically significant reductions in eczema severity in small controlled studies involving 20–40 participants. Evidence for respiratory benefits relies predominantly on in vitro [antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) data and traditional use records rather than adequately powered human RCTs, meaning the overall evidence base remains preliminary and should be interpreted cautiously.

## Nutritional Profile

Liquorice root is not a significant source of macronutrients in typical usage quantities, but its dried root contains approximately 50% carbohydrates (including starch, glucose, sucrose, and polysaccharides), 10-15% water, 3-5% crude protein, and minimal fat (<1%). Key bioactive compounds include: Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) at 2-9% dry weight — the primary triterpene saponin responsible for sweetness (50-60x sucrose) and most pharmacological activity; Glycyrrhetinic acid — the active metabolite of glycyrrhizin post-hepatic [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), with higher bioavailability than glycyrrhizin itself; Liquiritin and isoliquiritin (flavonoids) at approximately 0.5-2% dry weight — contribute [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity; Glabridin (an isoflavane) at 0.1-0.3% in root extract — notable for [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) and estrogenic properties; Licoflavone and licochalcone A at trace to 0.1% levels. Minerals present include potassium (≈700 mg/100g dry root), calcium (≈220 mg/100g), magnesium (≈85 mg/100g), phosphorus (≈100 mg/100g), and trace iron and zinc. B-vitamins including thiamine and riboflavin are present in minor amounts (<0.1 mg/100g each). Dietary fiber content is approximately 7-10% dry weight, primarily as cellulose and hemicellulose. Bioavailability note: Glycyrrhizin undergoes extensive first-pass hydrolysis by intestinal bacteria to glycyrrhetinic acid, which is more lipophilic and readily absorbed; peak plasma concentrations of glycyrrhetinic acid appear 24 hours post-ingestion due to enterohepatic recirculation.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges for extracts, powder, or standardized forms are specified. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Whole liquorice root containing glycyrrhizin is contraindicated at high doses or prolonged use due to pseudohyperaldosteronism, causing sodium retention, potassium loss, hypertension, and edema; effects become clinically relevant above approximately 100 mg glycyrrhizin per day consumed for more than 4 weeks. It can potentiate antihypertensive drugs by counteracting their mechanism and may reduce serum potassium when combined with thiazide or loop diuretics, increasing arrhythmia risk. Liquorice root is contraindicated in pregnancy, as glycyrrhizin has been associated with preterm delivery and impaired fetal neurodevelopment in observational cohort studies. DGL formulations, which contain less than 3% glycyrrhizin, are generally considered safer for gastrointestinal use and do not carry the same mineralocorticoid risk.

## Scientific Research

There is a lack of detailed human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses specifically cited for liquorice root. The research did not provide PMIDs or detailed study outcomes, indicating a gap in comprehensive clinical evidence.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Liquorice root has been used in global traditional systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and European herbalism. It has been employed primarily for its demulcent, expectorant, and sweetening properties to treat coughs, gastrointestinal issues, and [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) for over 2,000 years.

## Synergistic Combinations

Ginger, peppermint, chamomile, honey, lemon

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much liquorice root is safe to take daily?

The European Medicines Agency considers up to 75 mg of glycyrrhizin per day generally safe for short-term use in healthy adults, corresponding to roughly 1–5 g of dried liquorice root depending on extract standardization. Long-term use exceeding 100 mg glycyrrhizin daily raises the risk of pseudohyperaldosteronism, hypertension, and hypokalemia. DGL supplements standardized to less than 3% glycyrrhizin can be taken at 380–1140 mg per day for gastrointestinal support with a significantly lower side-effect profile.

### What is the difference between DGL and regular liquorice root extract?

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is processed to remove glycyrrhizin, reducing its content to below 3% compared to the 2–25% found in whole root extracts. This removal eliminates the mineralocorticoid side effects such as water retention and elevated blood pressure while preserving the gastrointestinal-protective flavonoids like liquiritin and isoliquiritigenin. DGL is therefore preferred for long-term use in treating peptic ulcers and gastritis, while whole-root extracts are used for adrenal support, antiviral applications, and respiratory conditions.

### Can liquorice root help with a cough or sore throat?

Glycyrrhizin and saponin fractions in liquorice root act as expectorants by stimulating bronchial mucus secretion, reducing viscosity, and facilitating clearance of respiratory secretions. In vitro studies demonstrate that glycyrrhizin inhibits replication of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-associated coronaviruses, though human clinical trials specifically for cough outcomes are lacking. Traditional Ayurvedic and European herbal medicine systems have used liquorice root in formulations such as yashti madhu for upper respiratory tract infections at 1–3 g root powder per day, but this use remains evidence-limited.

### Does liquorice root raise blood pressure?

Yes, glycyrrhizin inhibits 11β-HSD2 in the kidney, preventing cortisol from being converted to cortisone, which allows cortisol to abnormally activate mineralocorticoid receptors, increasing renal sodium reabsorption and blood pressure. Clinically significant hypertension has been documented in individuals consuming as little as 50 g of confectionery liquorice daily (containing approximately 75–150 mg glycyrrhizin) for 2 weeks. People with pre-existing hypertension, kidney disease, or those taking ACE inhibitors or diuretics should avoid glycyrrhizin-containing preparations entirely.

### Is liquorice root safe during pregnancy?

Liquorice root containing glycyrrhizin is not recommended during pregnancy based on observational evidence from a Finnish cohort study of over 1,000 mother-child pairs, which found that high prenatal glycyrrhizin exposure (greater than 500 mg per week) was associated with shorter gestation, lower birth weight, and poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children at age 8. Glycyrrhizin inhibits placental 11β-HSD2, increasing fetal cortisol exposure and disrupting normal fetal programming. DGL formulations have not been specifically studied in pregnancy and should also be avoided as a precaution unless directed by a qualified healthcare provider.

### Does liquorice root interact with blood pressure medications or diuretics?

Liquorice root may interact with diuretics and blood pressure medications due to its potential to affect sodium and potassium balance, which could reduce medication effectiveness or increase side effects. If you take antihypertensive drugs or diuretics, consult your healthcare provider before supplementing with liquorice root to avoid unwanted interactions. This is particularly important for those on potassium-sparing diuretics, as liquorice may cause potassium depletion.

### Who should avoid liquorice root supplementation?

Liquorice root should be avoided by individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal conditions such as estrogen-sensitive cancers, as glycyrrhizin may worsen these conditions. People taking certain medications (including diuretics, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants) should avoid liquorice root without medical supervision. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under 2 years old are also advised to avoid supplementation unless directed by a healthcare professional.

### What is the best form of liquorice root for respiratory health—whole root, extract, or tea?

Liquorice root extract (standardized for glycyrrhizin content) and DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) forms are commonly used for respiratory support, though whole root tea may offer synergistic benefits from all compounds present. DGL is preferred by those concerned about blood pressure effects while maintaining anti-inflammatory benefits for the throat and respiratory tract. The choice depends on individual health status and tolerance; extracts offer higher concentration but whole root preparations provide a broader spectrum of plant constituents.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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