Plant Comparison

Licorice root vs Ribwort Plantain

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 ALicorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabraFabaceaeFull monograph →

Plant BRibwort PlantainPlantago lanceolataPlantaginaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Licorice root and Ribwort Plantain: they share 9 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bronchitis, cold & flu, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.

Licorice rootRibwort Plantain

Constituents33

Pharmacological actions76

Indicated uses1411

Safety notes22

Cited sources2013

Indicated uses

Only Licorice root

Acid refluxIndigestionMenstrual crampsMuscle spasmRespiratory support

Shared (9)

Arthritis / joint painBronchitisCold & fluCoughImmune supportInfection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds

Only Ribwort Plantain

BruisingSore throat

Pharmacological actions

Only Licorice root

AntispasmodicExpectorantGastroprotective

Shared (4)

Anti-inflammatoryAntimicrobialAntiviralImmunomodulator / immune support

Only Ribwort Plantain

Demulcent (soothing mucilage)Vulnerary (wound healing)

Evidence face-off — shared uses

Condition	Licorice root	Ribwort Plantain	Verdict
Arthritis / joint pain	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Bronchitis	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Cold & flu	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Cough	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Immune support	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Infection (general)	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Skin irritation	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Wounds	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence

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

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.

Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, catalpol)^[11]

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial constituents.

Iridoid glycosidesGlycosides

Mucilage polysaccharides (~2-3%)^[11]

Coat and protect inflamed mucous membranes and reduce cough-receptor sensitivity.

PolysaccharidesMucilage

Phenylethanoids (acteoside/verbascoside, plantamajoside) and flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin)^[11]

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.

Verbascoside (acteoside)FlavonoidsApigeninLuteolin

Pharmacological Actions

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]}

Anti-inflammatory^{[9, 11, 13]}

Anti-inflammatory for temporary mild inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat); in vitro the extract inhibits nitric oxide production and inducible NOS in macrophages, supporting its traditional respiratory anti-inflammatory use

Antimicrobial^{[1, 6, 11, 12]}

Antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant (in vitro)

Antiviral^{[11, 12]}

Antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant (in vitro)

Demulcent (soothing mucilage)^{[11, 12]}

Demulcent for catarrh of the respiratory tract and dry, irritating cough / bronchitis (mucilage soothes and protects irritated airways)

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[11, 12]}

Antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant (in vitro)

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[7, 8, 11, 12]}

Vulnerary for minor wounds and insect bites (topical)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

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

Arthritis / joint pain^{[11, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Bronchitis^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Demulcent for catarrh of the respiratory tract and dry, irritating cough / bronchitis (mucilage soothes and protects irritated airways)

Evidence: 1

Label: Bronchitis

Bruising^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bruising

Cold & flu^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cold & flu

Cough^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Demulcent for catarrh of the respiratory tract and dry, irritating cough / bronchitis (mucilage soothes and protects irritated airways)

Evidence: 1

Label: Cough

Immune support^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Evidence: 1

Label: Immune support

Infection (general)^{[1, 6, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^{[9, 11, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

Skin irritation^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from demulcent action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

Sore throat^{[11, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Sore throat

Wounds^{[7, 8, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

Vulnerary for minor wounds and insect bites (topical)

Evidence: 2

Label: Wounds

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

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).

Safety note^[11]Info

Generally very well tolerated. A cough or throat irritation that persists beyond about a week, or is accompanied by fever or breathlessness, needs medical assessment.

Safety note^[11]Caution

Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of adequate data.

External Ids

Gbif: 2965732

Wikidata: Q257106

Gbif: 8208358

Wikidata: Q157408

Botanical Description

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

Perennial herb (Plantaginaceae) forming a low rosette of narrow, lance-shaped leaves with prominent parallel ribs (hence 'ribwort'). Slender, furrowed, leafless flowering stalks rise from the rosette bearing a dense, short, dark brown-black ovoid to cylindrical flower spike ringed by a 'collar' of protruding cream-white stamens.^[11]

Height: Low rosette; flowering stalks 10-45 cm

Habit: Low rosette-forming perennial herb

Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped, prominently 3-5-ribbed, in a basal rosette

Flowers: Dense, short, dark brown-black ovoid to cylindrical spike with a ring of cream-white stamens

Stem: Slender, furrowed, leafless flowering stalk

Root: Fibrous perennial rootstock

Fruit: Small capsule with 1-2 seeds

Flowering Period: May-September

Habitat

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]

Native throughout Europe and temperate Asia and naturalised worldwide; common in grassland, meadows, lawns, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating trampling and a wide range of soils.^[11]

Harvesting

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

Leaves and aerial parts are gathered during the growing season, ideally before or during flowering, and dried quickly.^[11]

Parts: Leaf (aerial parts)

Season: Growing season, before or during flowering

Traditional Uses

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]

Ribwort plantain has an official European herbal-monograph tradition for the temporary relief of dry cough and irritation of the mouth and throat, and for minor skin wounds, reflecting its long folk use as a demulcent respiratory remedy and wound herb. Modern research confirms mucilage-driven demulcent action alongside antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.^{[11, 12]}

Preparations

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.

Infusion (tea)^[11]

Dried leaf steeped in hot water for cough and sore throat.

Fresh pressed juice / syrup^[12]

Fresh leaf juice, traditionally made into a cough syrup, often combined with honey.

Poultice^[12]

Crushed fresh leaf applied to minor wounds and insect bites.

Dosage

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.

Infusion (tea)^{[11, 12]}

EMA/ESCOP herbal-monograph guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried leaf per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent liquid extract. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

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

REF-0960, REF-0961, REF-0962, REF-0963, REF-0964, REF-0965, REF-0966, REF-0967, REF-0968, REF-0969

Drug Class Interactions

Safety note^{[17, 18, 19, 20]}Caution

Drug Class: antihypertensives

Mechanism: Licorice (glycyrrhizic acid) can cause sodium retention, potassium loss and raised blood pressure (pseudoaldosteronism), which can oppose blood-pressure medicines. Meta-analyses of randomised trials confirm that glycyrrhizic acid raises systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a crossover trial found this even at a low daily dose (100 mg). Avoid regular or high licorice intake if you take blood-pressure medicines.