Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and various folk medicine traditions, for soothing digestive complaints such as gas and bloating. Historically, licorice root was believed to have demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties, which could help calm the gastrointestinal tract and reduce discomfort from indigestion, flatulence, and bloating. In TCM, licorice is often included in herbal blends to 'harmonize' the digestive system.
From a scientific perspective, there is some preliminary evidence that licorice root and its derivatives (such as deglycyrrhizinated licorice, DGL) may help with certain digestive issues, particularly those related to ulcers and inflammation, but robust clinical trials specifically addressing gas and bloating are lacking. Some studies suggest that licorice may help protect the stomach lining and modulate gut motility, but these effects have not been conclusively linked to relief of common gas and bloating. Therefore, while its use is mainly justified by traditional practices, the scientific rating is modest due to limited direct evidence for this specific indication.
As with many herbal remedies, caution should be exercised due to potential side effects and interactions, especially with prolonged use or in people with certain health conditions (e.g., hypertension, as licorice can raise blood pressure).
Other ingredients used for Gas and Bloating
Activated charcoalAllspice
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
apple
artichoke
bacillus coagulans
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black pepper
bасора
chamomile
chen pi
cinnamon
coating
coconut milk
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
gentian root
ginger
Greek mountain tea
green banana
cellulase
horseradish
isomalto-oligosaccharide
quassia
Lactobacillus gasseri
lemon
licorice root
lipase
lovage
Mastic gum
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Mint
okra
oregano
pancreatin
parsley
pear
Peppermint
pineapple
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
raspberry
rhubarb root
sage
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
Triphala
Wasabi
Xylanase
bentonite
cascara sagrada
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
Neem tree
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
Hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
commiphora
Caesalpinia crista
Fumaria parviflora
goldenrod
Yarrow
bile salt
prickly ash
elecampane
flowering quince
dogwood
fern
sweet flag
Morinda
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
caraway
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Menthol oil
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Wood betony
paw paw
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Alginic acid
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
geranium
Akebia
apple cider vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
anamu
Amomum
asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
arrowroot
Agrimonia pilosa
antifoam agent
Bifidobacterium
buttermilk
blue flag
blackthorn
bicarbonate
bayleaf
belleric myrobalan
bran
Butea monosperma
bitter grass
bael
boldo
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
black nightshade
borassus palm
Buddha\'s hand
Borassus aethiopum
bitter principals
bacteria
banana
Belamcanda
Bergenia
bottle gourd
borneol
cumin
centaury
Chinese silkvine
Cinnamomum
carqueja
chervil
coconut oil
coriander
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
carry me seed
cajuput
Chlorophytum
carvone
Cymbopogon martini
coca
capers
chanca piedra
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
colombo
Centipeda
cubeb
carob
chirata
cha de bugre
Carlina
calamus
cosmos
costus
castor oil
colocynth
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
Dianthus
dimethylpolysiloxane
dragonhead
dill
Dolichos
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
English horsemint
enzyme blend
Eupatorium
Embelia
fiber
Fomes fomentarius
Frangula
fernbush
fleabane
false calumba
four-leaved grass
genipap
Gnaphalium
gentian
garlic
Gentianella alborosea
Glechoma hederacea
grains of paradise
Gardenia jasminoides
Gentiana calycosa
Glucofrangulin
Galangal
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Homalomena
Helicteres isora
Hemicellulase
Horsemint
Jicama
Jalap
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
karaya gum
Kefir
lemon balm
Lactobacillus plantarum
lime
Large-leaf gentian
Lilium polyphyllum
Litsea
Laggera pterodonta
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
lodhtree
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
linalool
Mentha haplocalyx
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Myrcene
mace
Mountain mahogany
Mesquite
Morning glory
Meadowsweet
marigold
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neral
Osha
Orris
Operculina turpethum
Oryza sativa
Ovate Buchu
Parsnip
Phragmites
Piper chaba
Psacalium peltatum
prepared aconite tuber
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Prunus
probiotics
Peucedanum
Piper retrofractum
polydimethylsiloxane
Portulaca
Prickly Pear Cactus
Pimpinella
potash
Palo Azul
quince
rue
rockweed
rose
Rhus coriaria
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhubarb
Spanish Needle
Sete sangrias
Sweet Annie
Snakeroot
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
Shen Qu
Slippery Elm
Sagebrush
Semiaquilegia
Savory
Sida cordifolia
Scirpus
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sweet Bay
Stone Root
Servicetree
Sassafras
Sword Bean
Sedanenolide
Thuja
Taraxacin
Tamaricaceae
Traveler's Joy
Tarragon
Tansy
Tiger Nut
Tulbaghia
Taka amylase
Tamarind
Teri Pod
Taraxol
Vinegar
Viburnum
Verbena
Violet
Vidanga
Wax Gourd
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Yellow Nut Sedge
Yacon
Zingiberene
Zingerone
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
