Plant Comparison

Turmeric vs Licorice root

A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.

First plant

Second plant

Plant ATurmericCurcuma longaZingiberaceaeFull monograph →

Plant BLicorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabraFabaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Turmeric and Licorice root: they share 7 indicated uses (acid reflux, arthritis / joint pain, indigestion, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.

TurmericLicorice root

Constituents23

Pharmacological actions67

Indicated uses1114

Safety notes22

Cited sources2020

Indicated uses

Only Turmeric

Blood sugar / diabetes supportCancer (anticancer research)Cardiovascular / heart healthMetabolic support

Shared (7)

Acid refluxArthritis / joint painIndigestionInfection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds

Only Licorice root

BronchitisCold & fluCoughImmune supportMenstrual crampsMuscle spasmRespiratory support

Pharmacological actions

Only Turmeric

Anticancer (preclinical)Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)Antioxidant

Shared (3)

Anti-inflammatoryAntimicrobialGastroprotective

Only Licorice root

AntispasmodicAntiviralExpectorantImmunomodulator / immune support

Evidence face-off — shared uses

Condition	Turmeric	Licorice root	Verdict
Acid reflux	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric
Arthritis / joint pain	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric
Indigestion	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric
Infection (general)	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric
Inflammation (general)	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric
Skin irritation	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric
Wounds	3/10	1/10	Stronger for Turmeric

Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.

Key Constituents

Curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin)^{[1, 13]}

The principal yellow-orange pigments and best-studied bioactive compounds, responsible for most of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity; oral bioavailability is low unless combined with piperine or a lipid carrier.

Curcumin

Essential (volatile) oil

Aromatic sesquiterpenes (including turmerone) contributing to fragrance and additional bioactivity.

Essential (volatile) oilTerpenes / terpenoids

Triterpenoid saponins (glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid)^[1]

The principal sweet-tasting compound, about 50 times sweeter than sucrose; responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antiviral and gastroprotective activity and also for the pseudoaldosteronism risk on prolonged high-dose use.

SaponinsGlycyrrhizin

Flavonoids and isoflavones (liquiritin, glabridin)^[1]

Antioxidant and antimicrobial polyphenols, including the skin-lightening compound glabridin.

Flavonoids

Coumarins and sterols^[1]

Minor supporting constituents of the root.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^{[13, 14, 15]}

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)^{[13, 14, 15]}

Antimicrobial^{[12, 13, 14, 15]}

Antioxidant^{[9, 11, 13, 14, 15]}

Gastroprotective^{[13, 14, 15]}

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 3, 4, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15]}

Antimicrobial^{[8, 13, 14, 15]}

Antispasmodic^{[13, 14, 15]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Antiviral^{[13, 14, 15]}

Expectorant^{[13, 14, 15]}

Gastroprotective^{[13, 14, 15]}

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[13, 14, 15]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Acid reflux^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

Evidence: 3

Label: Acid reflux

Arthritis / joint pain^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

Evidence: 3

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Blood sugar / diabetes support^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Evidence: 3

Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support

Cancer (anticancer research)^[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

Cardiovascular / heart health^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

Evidence: 3

Label: Cardiovascular / heart health

Indigestion^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

Evidence: 3

Label: Indigestion

Infection (general)^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 3

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 3

Label: Inflammation (general)

Metabolic support^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Evidence: 3

Label: Metabolic support

Skin irritation^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 3

Label: Skin irritation

Wounds^{[13, 14, 15]}Limited · 3/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 3

Label: Wounds

Acid reflux^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

Evidence: 1

Label: Acid reflux

Arthritis / joint pain^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Bronchitis^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bronchitis

Cold & flu^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cold & flu

Cough^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cough

Immune support^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Immune support

Indigestion^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

Infection (general)^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

Menstrual cramps^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Menstrual cramps

Muscle spasm^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Muscle spasm

Respiratory support^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1

Label: Respiratory support

Skin irritation^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

Wounds^{[13, 14, 15]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[13, 14, 15]}Caution

Generally very safe in culinary quantities. High-dose curcumin supplements may cause gastrointestinal upset. May interact with anticoagulants (warfarin), antidiabetic drugs, and acid-suppressing medications. Avoid very high doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Rarely causes allergic reactions.

Safety note^{[13, 14, 15, 16]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates turmeric as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals. Curcumin is the primary bioactive compound with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aggregant, and hepatoprotective effects. Duke notes Commission E approval for dyspeptic complaints. Dose: 1.5–3 g dried rhizome powder daily. A major pharmacological consideration is bioavailability: curcumin alone has low absorption, but combining with piperine (black pepper) increases bioavailability by up to 2000%. Contraindicated in bile duct obstruction; use with caution in gallstones and during pregnancy at medicinal doses (Duke, 2002).

Safety note^{[13, 14, 15]}Caution

Avoid prolonged use of whole licorice root in large doses. May cause pseudoaldosteronism (hypertension, oedema, hypokalaemia). Contraindicated in hypertension, renal failure, liver disease, hypokalaemia, and pregnancy. DGL form is safer for prolonged gastric use. Interactions with antihypertensives, diuretics, and corticosteroids.

Safety note^{[13, 14, 15, 16]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates licorice as ++ and documents extensive activities. Glycyrrhizin (the key compound) has anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antiviral, and adrenal-stimulant properties. Duke highlights an important safety concern: chronic use of licorice can cause pseudoaldosteronism — sodium retention, potassium loss, edema, and hypertension — due to glycyrrhizin's inhibition of cortisol metabolism. This effect is typically seen with >50 g licorice/day for more than 6 weeks. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) avoids this side effect. Dose: 5–15 g dried root daily. Contraindicated in hypertension, kidney disease, low potassium, liver cirrhosis, and in combination with diuretics or corticosteroids (Duke, 2002).

External Ids

Gbif: 2757624

Wikidata: L1370439-S1

Gbif: 2965732

Wikidata: Q257106

Botanical Description

Rhizomatous perennial herb with large, broad, lance-shaped leaves arising directly from the underground rhizome in a clump. Pale yellow flowers are borne in a dense spike partly hidden among pale green to pink upper bracts. The branching, knobbly rhizome has a bright orange-yellow interior, the source of turmeric spice and dye.^[1]

Height: 60-100 cm

Habit: Rhizomatous perennial herb

Leaves: Large, broad, lance-shaped, arising directly from the rhizome

Flowers: Pale yellow, in a dense spike among pale green to pink upper bracts

Stem: Pseudostem formed by tightly overlapping leaf bases

Root: Branching, knobbly rhizome with a bright orange-yellow interior

Fruit: Rarely sets seed; propagated by rhizome division

Flowering Period: Summer to early autumn

Herbaceous perennial legume with pinnately compound leaves of small, oval, slightly sticky leaflets. Pale blue-violet to lilac pea-like flowers are borne in loose spikes, followed by small, flattened, oblong pods. The sweet-tasting rhizome and root system, brownish-grey outside and bright yellow inside, is the medicinal part, spreading extensively underground via stolons.^[1]

Height: 1-1.5 m

Habit: Herbaceous perennial legume, spreading by underground stolons

Leaves: Pinnately compound, small oval leaflets, slightly sticky

Flowers: Pale blue-violet to lilac, pea-like, in loose spikes

Stem: Erect, branching

Root: Extensive, sweet-tasting rhizome and root system, brownish-grey outside, bright yellow inside

Fruit: Small, flattened, oblong pod

Flowering Period: June-August

Habitat

Native to South Asia (India) and Southeast Asia; cultivated extensively in warm, humid tropical climates on well-drained, fertile soils.

Grows in dry, sunny, deep-soiled sites, riverbanks and open scrub; native to the Mediterranean region and Western to Central Asia, and cultivated widely for its root.^[1]

Harvesting

The rhizomes are dug at the end of the growing season, typically 8-10 months after planting, when the leaves have died back; they are cleaned, boiled or steamed, then dried and often ground into the familiar yellow powder.

Parts: Rhizome

Season: End of growing season, 8-10 months after planting

The root and rhizome are dug in autumn from plants at least three to four years old, when glycyrrhizin content is highest, then cleaned and dried; sold whole, cut, or as processed extract.^[1]

Parts: Root

Season: Autumn, from mature (3-4+ year) plants

Traditional Uses

Turmeric rhizome is a cornerstone spice and medicine of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, used for millennia as an anti-inflammatory, digestive and wound-healing remedy and valued as a golden dye; its curcuminoid-rich rhizome is now among the most extensively researched botanicals for inflammatory and joint conditions, directly building on this traditional reputation.^{[1, 13]}

Licorice root is one of the oldest and most widely used herbs in the world, with a documented history across Chinese, Ayurvedic, Greek and European traditional medicine as a soothing demulcent and expectorant for coughs and sore throat, a gastroprotective remedy for stomach discomfort and ulcers, and a harmonising, sweetening addition to herbal formulas.^[1]

Preparations

Standardised extract^[1]

Rhizome extract standardised to curcuminoid content, often combined with piperine (black pepper extract) to improve absorption, taken as capsules; the form used in most clinical arthritis and inflammation studies.

Decoction^[1]

Dried root simmered in water as a traditional soothing, expectorant and gastroprotective tea.

Standardised extract^[1]

Root extract standardised to glycyrrhizin content, taken as capsules or lozenges.

Dosage

Standardised extract^[1]

Clinical trials in arthritis commonly use around 1000-1500 mg of curcumin (or curcuminoid-standardised extract) daily, in divided doses, often combined with piperine. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Whole root/decoction^[12]

The EU herbal monograph gives, for adults and elderly, 1.5-2 g of the comminuted root in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion or decoction 2 to 4 times daily, taken one cup after meals; a soft extract (DER 1:0.4-0.5) at 32 mg 2-3 times daily, not exceeding 160 mg daily, is also listed. The monograph directs that it is NOT to be used for more than 4 weeks, and is not recommended under 18 years - the duration limit matters because prolonged licorice use causes pseudoaldosteronism (sodium and water retention, potassium loss, raised blood pressure). Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is preferred where prolonged use is intended. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

REF-0791, REF-0792, REF-0793, REF-2164, REF-2165, REF-2166, REF-2167, REF-2168, REF-2169, REF-2170, REF-2171, REF-2172

REF-0826, REF-0827, REF-0828, REF-2187, REF-2188, REF-2189, REF-2190, REF-2191, REF-2192, REF-2193, REF-2194

Drug Class Interactions

Safety note^[17]Caution

Drug Class: anticoagulants-antiplatelets

Mechanism: Turmeric/curcumin can raise the blood levels of blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin and clopidogrel and has mild antiplatelet activity, so combined use should be monitored for increased bleeding risk.