Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice (unspecified)
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and European herbalism, for supporting respiratory health and alleviating bronchial congestion. In TCM, licorice root is commonly included in formulas to soothe coughs, clear phlegm, and reduce inflammation in the airways. Its expectorant and demulcent properties are thought to help loosen mucus and soothe irritated mucous membranes, which can be beneficial for people experiencing congestion from bronchitis or other respiratory ailments.
While there is some in vitro and animal research indicating that licorice constituents (such as glycyrrhizin) possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, direct clinical evidence in humans for its effectiveness specifically for bronchial congestion is limited. Most human studies focus on licorice’s effects on sore throat, peptic ulcers, or as an adjunct to standard respiratory treatments, but not as a primary intervention for bronchial congestion. Thus, its use for this indication is primarily rooted in traditional practice rather than robust scientific validation.
Overall, licorice continues to be used as a supportive agent for bronchial congestion in various herbal traditions, but high-quality clinical trials are lacking. Caution is advised with prolonged or high-dose use due to potential side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia.
More about Licorice (unspecified)
More about Congestion (bronchial)
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
Waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
Yellow root
squawvine
boneset
Mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
Yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
Abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
asafoetida
andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
atractylone
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
bicarbonate
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
Boswellic Acid
bayleaf
black galingale
Barleria
bitter grass
bisabolene
bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
bee products
Bombax
Buddha\'s hand
borage
Bupleurum
balloon flower
Belamcanda
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
Chinese mountain ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
cineole
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
calamus
cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
culvers Root
Chondrus
dragonhead
diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
ephedrine
fang-feng
fat liver oil
fernbush
frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Guaco
Gallesia
giant blazingstar
Gardenia jasminoides
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Galangal
Heartsease
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
long pepper
Ivy
jungli-bean
Khella
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
limonene
labrador tea
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Marsh Tea
mallow
Monoterpenes
Methylxanthine
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Neoandrographolides
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Orris
Phellodendron
Pinellia ternata
Pluchea
prepared aconite tuber
Platycodon
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
ravinsara
reed herb
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Scoparia dulcis
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sinigrin
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Servicetree
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Terpinolene
Vervain
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Violet
Viola
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Licorice (unspecified)
Acid IndigestionAddictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Dyspepsia
Gastritis
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Menopause
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections