Plant Comparison

Licorice root vs Speedwell

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 BSpeedwellVeronica officinalisPlantaginaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Licorice root and Speedwell: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bronchitis, cough, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.

Licorice rootSpeedwell

Constituents32

Pharmacological actions74

Indicated uses148

Safety notes22

Cited sources2012

Indicated uses

Only Licorice root

Acid refluxCold & fluImmune supportInfection (general)Menstrual crampsMuscle spasmWounds

Shared (7)

Arthritis / joint painBronchitisCoughIndigestionInflammation (general)Respiratory supportSkin irritation

Only Speedwell

Bloating

Pharmacological actions

Only Licorice root

AntimicrobialAntispasmodicAntiviralGastroprotectiveImmunomodulator / immune support

Shared (2)

Anti-inflammatoryExpectorant

Only Speedwell

AntioxidantDigestive aid

Evidence face-off — shared uses

Condition	Licorice root	Speedwell	Verdict
Arthritis / joint pain	1/10	1/10	Comparable evidence
Bronchitis	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Cough	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Indigestion	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Respiratory support	1/10	2/10	Comparable evidence
Skin irritation	1/10	1/10	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, verproside, verminoside)^[8]

Anti-inflammatory constituents that inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators in lung cells.

Iridoid glycosidesGlycosides

Flavonoids and phenolic acids^{[8, 9, 10]}

Antioxidant constituents.

Phenolic acidsFlavonoids

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^[8]

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

Antioxidant^{[1, 5, 6, 8]}

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

Digestive aid^{[4, 11]}

Mild digestive / stomach tonic (indigestion)

Expectorant^{[8, 11, 12]}

Traditional expectorant for cough and respiratory complaints (iridoid glycosides inhibit lung inflammation) - a standardised extract suppressed COX-2 and eotaxin via the NF-kB pathway in human lung epithelial cells

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^[8]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Bloating^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bloating

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

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 2

Label: Bronchitis

Cough^{[8, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

Evidence: 2

Label: Cough

Indigestion^{[4, 11]}Traditional · 2/10

Mild digestive / stomach tonic (indigestion)

Evidence: 2

Label: Indigestion

Inflammation (general)^{[8, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

Evidence: 2

Label: Inflammation (general)

Respiratory support^{[8, 11, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 2

Label: Respiratory support

Skin irritation^[11]Traditional · 1/10

Soothing for skin irritation (topical)

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

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]Caution

Traditional use only; clinical evidence is limited, so a persistent cough or digestive complaint needs medical assessment. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.

Safety note^{[2, 8]}Info

Buy from a reputable source: Veronica officinalis is frequently adulterated with the related Veronica chamaedrys.

External Ids

Gbif: 2965732

Wikidata: Q257106

Gbif: 3172049

Wikidata: Q156402

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

Low, creeping, mat-forming perennial herb with softly hairy, oval, finely toothed leaves along trailing stems that root as they spread. Small, pale lilac-blue flowers with darker veining are borne in slender upright spikes rising from the leaf axils.^[8]

Height: 5-40 cm (upright flowering spikes; creeping stems low)

Habit: Low, creeping, mat-forming perennial herb

Leaves: Softly hairy, oval, finely toothed, opposite

Flowers: Small, pale lilac-blue with darker veining, in slender upright axillary spikes

Stem: Trailing, softly hairy, rooting as it spreads

Root: Fine roots along the creeping stem

Fruit: Small, flattened, heart-shaped capsule

Flowering Period: May-August

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]

Grows on dry heath, moorland, open woodland, grassland and banks on acidic, well-drained soils; native to Europe and naturalised in North America.^[8]

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

The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place; the closely related Veronica chamaedrys is a frequent adulterant, so careful identification (or a reputable source) is important.^[8]

Parts: Aerial parts (flowering herb)

Season: Summer, at 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]

Speedwell has a long European folk history as a mild digestive tonic and traditional expectorant for cough and respiratory complaints, and has also been used topically as a soothing wash for irritated skin; modern research on its iridoid glycosides supports a molecular basis for the traditional respiratory use.

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.

Not documented

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.

Not documented

References

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

REF-1378, REF-1379, REF-1380, REF-2552, REF-2554, REF-2555, REF-3123

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.