Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Anemia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. In these traditions, it is used for its harmonizing effects, as a general tonic, and for digestive and respiratory health. There are some historical texts and folk remedies that mention licorice as a supportive herb for individuals with symptoms akin to anemia—such as fatigue or weakness—largely due to its reputed ability to "nourish the blood" or support vitality. However, these uses are based on broad energetic or tonic concepts, not on a specific understanding of anemia as defined in modern medicine.

Scientific studies directly examining licorice root as a treatment for anemia are very limited. There is no strong clinical evidence that licorice root increases hemoglobin, red blood cell count, or directly addresses iron-deficiency anemia. Some animal studies suggest that certain components of licorice may have antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically support overall health, but these mechanisms do not specifically translate to anemia treatment. Moreover, excessive licorice consumption can lead to adverse effects like hypertension and hypokalemia, which may actually worsen health outcomes in vulnerable individuals. Thus, while licorice root is sometimes referenced in traditional contexts for symptoms associated with anemia, its use for this purpose is not well-supported by modern scientific evidence.

More about licorice root
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Other ingredients used for Anemia

alfalfa
amino acids
anchovies
apple
ashwagandha
astragalus
beet
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
bovine
bovine liver
bovine spleen
broccoli
brussel sprouts
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
chlorella
coconut milk
collard
cordyceps
dog rose
dong quai root
fish protein
folate
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fu ling
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
iron
jujube
kale
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lactoferrin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
maca
mackerel
moringa
nettle
oat
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sardines
shiitake mushroom
soybean
spinach
spirulina
tomato
triphala
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
yeast
zinc
suma
tangerine
shen-chu
mugwort
nut grass
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
cistanche
dodder
ganoderma
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
morinda
trichosanthes
dulse leaf
royal jelly
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
aster root
shepherd's purse
wheat germ
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
kidney beans
chickpea protein
17beta-[{1-Ketoethyl}-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one,17a-ol]
17a-di methyl-bol
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Animal Tissue
Ardisia
Angelica
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Abrus
Alchornea
Autumn Olive
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Algal protein
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Bermuda Grass
Bidens pilosa
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef Protein
Butea monosperma
Beef
Beef liver
Buffalo
Bok Choy
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bael
Bean
Butternut
berry
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Broad Bean
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Blue-Green Alage
banana
Baobab
Buckwheat
Boerhavia diffusa
Bird's nest
Cumin
Cowpea
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Cashew
Citrus
Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
Chard
Chicken
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Canihua
Chestnut
Cytokines
Cassava
Celosia
Currant
Duodenum
Deer Root
Dehydroascorbic acid
Dragon Fruit
Dong Quai
Dolichos
Date
Dulse
Empresstree
Egg
Eclipta
Embelia
Fig
Little ironweed
Molasses
Metal Salt
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by licorice root

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
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