Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Gastritis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used in both traditional and modern herbal medicine for various gastrointestinal complaints, including gastritis. Scientific evidence supports its use to some extent, particularly in the form of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). DGL is preferred because it removes glycyrrhizin, which can cause side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia when used in high amounts or for prolonged periods.
Several clinical studies and animal experiments suggest that licorice root and DGL may help relieve gastritis symptoms by enhancing mucous production in the stomach, promoting mucosal healing, and exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Licorice contains compounds such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids that have been found to suppress Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium closely linked to gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Randomized controlled trials have shown modest improvements in gastritis symptoms and endoscopic findings among patients taking DGL compared to placebo, though results are mixed, and sample sizes are often small. The European Medicines Agency and some integrative medicine guidelines acknowledge licorice root as a supportive option for digestive complaints, but emphasize the need for more robust, large-scale studies.
In summary, the use of licorice root for gastritis is partially supported by scientific evidence, particularly for DGL preparations. While promising, licorice root should be used cautiously, especially in its whole form, due to potential side effects. It is best used as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, standard medical therapies.
Other ingredients used for Gastritis
allspicealoe vera
amino acids
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
arjun tree
artichoke
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bamboo
barberry
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black garlic
radish
blackberry
Indian frankincense
bromelain
rice
brussel sprouts
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
cassia bark
cat's claw
catechins
catjang cowpea
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
chamomile
chen pi
chia seed
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorophyll
chokeberry
cinnamon
coating
coconut milk
colostrum
Coptis chinensis
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
melon
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
fenugreek
flavonols
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
gelatin
gentian root
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
greek mountain tea
green banana
green tea
heartwood
hesperetin
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
Japanese sophora
jujube
kudzu
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glycine
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoferrin
lemon
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
lovage
luteolin
magnesium
mango
mangosteen
marshmallow
mastic gum
methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
milk
mint
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oat
okra
olive
ophiopogon root
oregano
oregon grape
parsley
pear
pectin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phospholipids
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhubarb root
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
starch
strawberry
streptococcus thermophilus
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
seaweed
watercress
watermelon
wheat grass
mulberry
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
bentonite
yellow root
oryza
tangerine
typhonium
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
Indian bael
enicostemma littorale
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
commiphora
holarrhena antidysenterica
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
peony
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
morus
elecampane
root tuber
chrysanthemum
haliotis
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
fern
ganoderma
sweet flag
sweetgums
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
sheep's sorrel
royal jelly
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
caraway
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
fulvic acid
coix
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
peach
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
Sichuan pepper
alginic acid
algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
ashitaba
soursop
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Arugula
Arjuna
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Auricularia
Anamu
Amomum
Albizia
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Adzuki bean
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Acemannan
Algin
Alliin
Alisma
Ananain
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Baphicacanthus cusia
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
bergenin
Breadnut
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Brassica
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Big Quaking Grass
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bael
Butternut
boldo
Black Gram
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bur-Reed
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
banana
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
Bacillus
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Centaury
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cloudberry
Cucurbita
Chebulic acid
coconut oil
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Carvacrol
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
Citron
Chinese Fleeceflower
Carry Me Seed
Chlorophytum
Cyclanthera pedata
Centella asiatica
Coca
Capers
Chanca Piedra
Cinnamic Acid
Chard
Cinidium
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
Colombo
Centipeda
Cistus
Copalchi
Corktree
Cubeb
Curcuma
Carob
Cabbage
Chirata
Cha de bugre
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Carlina
Calamus
Cherimoya
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Chestnut
Cosmos
Chebulinic acid
Cassava
Costus
Carthamus
Colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dragonhead
Dill
Dolichos
Date
Dichrostachys glomerata
Empresstree
Emblicanin
Echinodorus
Eupatorium
Embelia
Emodin
Fig
Goldthread
Garlic
Galangal
Iris
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Milk Protein
Orchid
Potato
Prickly Pear Cactus
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Squash
Sumac
walnut
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