Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Abdominal Pain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for soothing digestive complaints, including abdominal pain. In these traditions, licorice root is valued as a demulcent and anti-inflammatory agent, believed to coat the stomach lining and calm gastrointestinal irritation. In TCM, it is often included in formulas to "harmonize" other herbs and reduce spasms or discomfort. In Western herbalism, licorice is also used to address symptoms of gastritis, ulcers, and mild stomach upset, all of which may present as abdominal pain.
Scientific evidence for licorice root's benefit in treating abdominal pain is moderate. Some clinical studies support the use of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) in reducing symptoms of peptic ulcers and functional dyspepsia, both of which can cause abdominal pain. Its anti-inflammatory and mucoprotective properties may help reduce discomfort by promoting the healing of the gastric mucosa and inhibiting Helicobacter pylori infection. However, most studies are small, and results are sometimes inconsistent. While licorice root is not typically a first-line treatment in modern medicine, its historical use and some scientific backing justify its continued use as a complementary approach for mild abdominal pain or discomfort related to digestive issues.
Caution is warranted due to potential side effects, such as hypertension and hypokalemia, especially with prolonged use or high doses of whole licorice root (not DGL forms).
Other ingredients used for Abdominal Pain
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green chiretta
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bacillus coagulans
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barberry
basil
myrobalan
berberine
beta caryophyllene
betel
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black pepper
radish
blackberry
bromelain
rice
bupleurum falcatum
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cannabis sativa oil
celery
chamomile
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cinnamon
cissus quadrangularis
citrus oil
clove
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
devil's claw
melon
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fu ling
garlic bulb
gentian root
ginger
ginseng
goldenseal
greek mountain tea
green banana
green tea
hawthorn
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian gum arabic tree
Japanese sophora
l-glutamine
lactase
lactobacillus gasseri
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
licorice root
lipase
lovage
magnesium
marshmallow
mastic gum
milk thistle
mint
mustard seed
okra
olive
oregano
papain
parsley
peppermint oil
phytocannabinoids
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pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
pumpkin
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rhubarb root
rosemary
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
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triphala
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white willow
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bentonite
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chickweed
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xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
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capsicum
mugwort
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pistacia integerrima gall
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commiphora
holarrhena antidysenterica
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tinospora cordifolia
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caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
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swertia
chaff flower
peony
lingusticum wallichii
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prickly ash
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myrrh
elecampane
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siler root
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morinda
trichosanthes
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menthol oil
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white oak
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acacia
Agrimony
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Alchemilla
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Ajuga
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Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Aquilegia formosa
Asam gelugor
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Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
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Abuta
Allium tuberosum
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Bifidobacterium
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Bryonia
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
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Balsam
Brassica
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Butea monosperma
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Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
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Bael
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Boswellia
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Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Black Nightshade
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Borassus aethiopum
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banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
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Black Hellebore
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Bergenia
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Chinese Silkvine
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Common Monkey Flower
Cinnamomum
Croton seeds
California Redbud
Calotropis gigantea
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Chervil
Cucurbita
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Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
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Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Citron
Curcuminoid
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Capsaicin
Cymbidium goeringii
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
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Coca
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Calamus
Carrapichinho
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Corydalis
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Casearia sylvestris
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Other health conditions supported by licorice root
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Addison's Disease
Adenitis
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Allergies (respiratory)
Amenorrhea
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Bronchitis
Canker Sores
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Croup
Cushing's Disease
Cytomealovirus
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Emphysema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Estrogen (low)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibrosis
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Grave's Disease
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hangover
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Hot Flashes
Hypotension
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Itching
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Menopause
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Morning Sickness
Mumps
Nausea and Vomiting
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Night Sweating
Nocturnal Emission
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pertussis
Pleurisy
PMS (general)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Sore Throat
Ulcers
Products containing licorice root
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM
Nature's Sunshine Bronchial Formula (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine Breathe Activator TCM (formerly Breathe E-Z)
Nature's Sunshine C-X
Nature's Sunshine Combination CBG Extract
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Energ-V Capsules
Nature's Sunshine Female Comfort
Nature's Sunshine Gastro Health
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine HY-C
Nature's Sunshine HY-C TCM
Nature's Sunshine IF-C
Nature's Sunshine IF-C TCM
Nature's Sunshine Immune System
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine LB Extract
Nature's Sunshine Lower Bowel Stimulator (Formerly LBS II)
Nature's Sunshine LBS II
Nature's Sunshine Licorice Root
Nature's Sunshine Licorice Root Extract
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance TCM
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support TCM
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mineral-Chi Tonic (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Chi TCM
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Pro-Pancreas Formula
Nature's Sunshine PS II
Nature's Sunshine Psyllium Hulls Combo
Nature's Sunshine Red Beet Root Formula
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine SF
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Stomach Comfort (Chewable)
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief TCM
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune TCM
Nature's Sunshine Ultimate GreenZone
Nature's Sunshine Ultimate Greenzone
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C® TCM
Nature's Sunshine Women's X-Action
