Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Acid Indigestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal complaints, including acid indigestion, reflux, and gastritis. Modern scientific research has provided some validation for these uses, especially for a specific form known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). DGL has been shown in several small clinical studies and laboratory experiments to promote healing of the gastric and esophageal mucosa, potentially by increasing mucus production, enhancing mucosal blood flow, and reducing inflammation. These effects may help protect the lining of the stomach and esophagus from acid and pepsin, providing symptomatic relief in individuals with acid indigestion and mild reflux symptoms.
A number of studies from the 1970s and 1980s demonstrated that DGL was as effective as some antacids and H2 blockers in alleviating dyspepsia and ulcer-related symptoms. More recent reviews and randomized trials, while limited in scope and quality, support the use of DGL as an adjunct to conventional therapy for non-ulcer dyspepsia and mild GERD. However, evidence is not robust enough to recommend licorice as a first-line therapy. Standard licorice root, which contains glycyrrhizin, can cause serious side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia with excessive use; thus, DGL is preferred for safety.
In summary, licorice root—specifically its deglycyrrhizinated form—has moderate scientific support (evidence level 3 out of 5) for its use in supporting individuals with acid indigestion, particularly as an adjunct to other therapies.
Other ingredients used for Acid Indigestion
acid proteaseactivated charcoal
allspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
bacillus coagulans
barberry
barley
basil
myrobalan
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
radish
blackberry
rice
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
calcium
cassia bark
celery
chamomile
chen pi
chloride
cinnamon
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coating
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gentian root
ginger
gooseberry
greek mountain tea
green banana
HCL
horseradish
Indian gum arabic tree
quassia
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
lipase
lovage
magnesium
marshmallow
mastic gum
methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
milk
mint
olive
oregano
ox bile
papain
pear
pepsin
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
rosemary
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
triphala
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
wasabia japonica
water
bentonite
squawvine
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
fumaria parviflora
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
bile salt
buckthorn
prickly ash
lemongrass
root tuber
flowering quince
sweet flag
zanthoxylum
sodium alginate
caraway
anemarrhena asphodeloides
menthol oil
aster root
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
peach
paw paw
white oak
horehound
herbal blend (proprietary)
Sichuan pepper
alginic acid
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
sea salt
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Acidity regulator
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Amomum
Asafoetida
Anserina
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Algin
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Buttermilk
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bicarbonate
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Black galingale
Berberis (unspecified)
Bitter Grass
Bael
Butternut
boldo
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bassia scoparia
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Centaury
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Coriander
Cactus
Cape Aloe
Centaurium erythraea
Citron
Curcuminoid
Carvone
Curcumen
Capers
Colombo
Cubeb
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Clostridium butyricum
Costus
Colocynth
Dragonhead
Dill
Empresstree
Echinodorus
Emodin
Goldthread
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Lotus
Mustard
Mallow
Metal Salt
Potato
Potash
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vinegar
Zucchini
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
