Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Licorice root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
This monograph compiles 7 pharmacological actions, 14 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 14 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
more plants for acid reflux →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from expectorant action
more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →inferred from antiviral action
more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →inferred from expectorant action
more plants for cough →detailed sources →inferred from gastroprotective action
more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from antispasmodic action
more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →inferred from antispasmodic action
more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →inferred from expectorant action
more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
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).
References
REF-0826, REF-0827, REF-0828, REF-2187, REF-2188, REF-2189, REF-2190, REF-2191, REF-2192, REF-2193, REF-2194References & Sources
- Pastorino, G., Cornara, L., Soares, S., Rodrigues, F. and Oliveira, M.B.P.P (2018) 'Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A phytochemical and pharmacological review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(12), pp. 2323-2339. doi:10.1002/ptr.6178 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6178 - Nazari, S., Rameshrad, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2017) 'Toxicological Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Review', Phytotherapy Research, 31(11), pp. 1635-1650. doi:10.1002/ptr.5893 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5893 - El-Saber Batiha, G., Magdy Beshbishy, A., El-Mleeh, A., Abdel-Daim, M.M. and Prasad Devkota, H (2020) 'Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae)', Biomolecules, 10(3), pp. 352. doi:10.3390/biom10030352 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10030352 - Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, S.S., Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, M.F., Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, M.S. and Amir, M (2021) 'Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice): a comprehensive review on its phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical evidence and toxicology', Plants, 10(12), pp. 2751. doi:10.3390/plants10122751 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122751 - Markina, Y.V., Kirichenko, T.V., Markin, A.M., Yudina, I.Y., Starodubova, A.V., Sobenin, I.A. and Orekhov, A.N (2022) 'Atheroprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L', Molecules, 27(15), pp. 4697. doi:10.3390/molecules27154697 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154697 - Jafari, F., Jafari, M., Moghadam, A.T., Emami, S.A., Jamialahmadi, T., Mohammadpour, A.H. and Sahebkar, A (2021) 'A review of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) effects on metabolic syndrome', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1328, pp. 385-400. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_25 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_25 - Schmid, C., Dawid, C., Peters, V. and Hofmann, T (2018) 'Saponins from European licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra)', Journal of Natural Products, 81(8), pp. 1734-1744. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00022 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00022 - Kalani, K., Chaturvedi, V., Alam, S., Khan, F. and Srivastava, S.K (2015) 'Anti-tubercular agents from Glycyrrhiza glabra', Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 15(11), pp. 1043-1049. doi:10.2174/1568026615666150317223323 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026615666150317223323 - Frattaruolo, L., Carullo, G., Brindisi, M., Mazzotta, S., Bellissimo, L., Rago, V., Curcio, R., Dolce, V., Aiello, F. and Cappello, A.R (2019) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of flavanones from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) leaf phytocomplexes: identification of licoflavanone as a modulator of NF-kB/MAPK pathway', Antioxidants, 8(6), pp. 186. doi:10.3390/antiox8060186 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8060186 - Eltahir, A.O.E., Omoruyi, S.I., Augustine, T.N., Luckay, R.C. and Hussein, A.A (2024) 'Neuroprotective effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra total extract and isolated compounds', Pharmaceuticals, 17(7), pp. 852. doi:10.3390/ph17070852 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17070852 - Dastagir, G. and Rizvi, M.A (2016) 'Review - Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (liquorice)', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 29(5), pp. 1727-1733. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - Asl, M.N. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2008) 'Review of pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp', 22(6), pp. 709--724. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Fiore, C. et al (2008) 'A history of the therapeutic use of liquorice in Europe', 99(3), pp. 317--324. Traditional / reference
Find this source - WHO (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
Find this source
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