Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Inflammation
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Modern scientific studies have begun to elucidate the mechanisms behind its effects. The key bioactive compound in licorice root, glycyrrhizin, has been shown in in vitro and animal models to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce oxidative stress. Additionally, licorice root contains flavonoids and other phytochemicals that may contribute to its anti-inflammatory activity.
Several studies suggest that licorice root extracts can modulate inflammatory pathways, including the suppression of NF-κB activation, which plays a central role in inflammation. Some small clinical studies have explored the use of licorice root preparations for inflammatory conditions such as gastritis, eczema, and sore throat, with mixed but generally positive results. However, most of the evidence comes from preclinical research, and high-quality, large-scale human trials are limited.
While licorice root shows promise for managing inflammation, it should be used cautiously, as glycyrrhizin can cause side effects such as hypertension and hypokalemia with prolonged or high-dose use. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is available to mitigate these risks, but its anti-inflammatory efficacy may differ. In summary, there is moderate scientific support for the anti-inflammatory use of licorice root, but more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm its benefits and ensure safety.
Other ingredients used for Inflammation
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acai berry
adrenal cortex
ajoene
akkermansia muciniphila
alfalfa
algal oil
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
anchovies
green chiretta
annatto
anthocyanins
apple
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arabinogalactan
arjun tree
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bilberry
black cumin
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black walnut
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bonito peptide
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broccoli
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dog rose
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dyer’s woad root
endo-peptidase
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greek mountain tea
green lipped mussel
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hesperetin
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horse chestnut
hyaluronic acid
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indole-3-carbinol
honeysuckle
knotweed
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jujube
kale
kelp
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kudzu
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
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lactobacillus brevis
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lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
lion's mane
lophatherum leaf
lovage
lutein
luteolin
lychee
mackerel
maitake mushroom
mango
mangosteen
maqui berry
marine lipid
marshmallow
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
mixed carotenoids
moringa
myristoleate
n-acetyl-glucosamine
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
naringin
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
spruce
oat
okra
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
orange
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
papain
perilla
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
platycodon root
plum fruit
pollen
polygala root
pomegranate
pomelo
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protease
butyric acid
psyllium
pumpkin
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
quercetin
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhubarb root
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose hips
rutin
safflower oil
sage
sardines
scrophularia root
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
serratiopeptidase
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
slippery elm bark
soybean
spearmint leaf
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
stigmasterol
strawberry
streptococcus thermophilus
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tetrahydro iso-alpha acids
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-geranylgeraniol
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
almond fruit
trypsin
turkey tail mushroom
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
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vitamin A
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
wasabia japonica
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whey protein
mulberry
white willow
xylooligosaccharides
yeast
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zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
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red clover
yellow root
suma
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boneset
mullein
parthenium
tangerine
typhonium
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cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
neem tree
enicostemma littorale
pterocarpus marsupium
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
tylophora
punarnava
commiphora
holarrhena antidysenterica
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
yarrow
pau d'arco
prickly ash
fritillaria
morus
sunflower
myrrh
elecampane
root tuber
ferulic acid
silk tree
chrysanthemum
haliotis
juniper berries
solomon's seal
amber
broomrape
flowering quince
dioscorea
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ganoderma
sweetgums
lotus seed
oriental arborvitae
birch
dulse leaf
sheep's sorrel
royal jelly
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queen of the meadow
guelder rose
anemarrhena asphodeloides
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wintergreen
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polyporus
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gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
shepherd's purse
yerba mate
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noni
wood betony
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
white oak
abies spectabilis
horehound
amaranth
millet seed
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cocoa
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soursop
geranium
arnica
clematis
1,2-di-galloyl-4,6hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dione
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Isomangostin
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7,4-Dimethoxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
7-Methoxyflavone
7b-hydroxy, 17b-dihydro DHEA
7-Hydroxyfrullanolide
7-Methylrosmanol
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anthocyanosides
Arabinoxylan
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Acinetobacter lwoffii
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bergenin
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Blubber oil
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Black-Eyed Susan
Balsam
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Bayleaf
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Black Locust
Baccharis dracunculifolia
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Big Quaking Grass
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boysenberry
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black salt
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Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
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Blue-Green Alage
Borage
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Black root
Baobab
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Bittersweet
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benzyl isothiocyanate
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Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Black Hellebore
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Casearia esculenta
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Chinese Mountain Ant
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California Redbud
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Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cloudberry
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coconut oil
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Costaria costata
Codonopsis
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Cinquefoil
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Cyanidin
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Chinese Fleeceflower
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Cymbidium goeringii
Cichoric acid
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Chinese Pond Turtle
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Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
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Cyanotis Vaga
Centella asiatica
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Celandine
Cinnamic Acid
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Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chard
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Citral
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Creatine
Cinidium
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Chenopodium
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Chalcone
Calanus finmarchicus
Chanterelle
Campsiandra angustifolia
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cypress
Chaparral
Cabbage
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Chirata
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Crinum latifolium
Cha de bugre
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Cannabidiol
Carlina
Calamus
Cirsium oligophyllum
Cherimoya
Chitin
Carotene (unspecified)
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Coin-leaf desmodium
Chinatree
Canihua
Chestnut
Cosmos
Cyanotis arachnoides
Cyanthillium cinereum
Corydalis
Chebulinic acid
Corilagin
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Crocetin
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Cystoseira canariensis
Carambola
Cynodon dactylon
Cassava
Chiococca alba
Chekiang Fritillary
Collinsonia
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Crypthecodinium
Colocynth
cola nut
Capsanthin
Clerodendrum indicum
Cade Juniper
Cupuacu
Casearia sylvestris
Catlaw Buttercup
Culvers Root
Currant
Calycophyllum
Carnosic acid
Cannabidiolic acid
Chondrus
Dunaliella salina
Dimorphandra mollis
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Didymocarpus
Dehydroabietic acid
Dendrobine
Diallyl sulfide
DIVI-DIVI
Dismutase
Danshen
Dense Fruit Dittany
Delphinidin
Dunaliella
Dihydromyricetin
Deer Root
Damulin A
Decursin
Decursinol
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dumontiaceae
Dragon Fruit
Durian
Daphne
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Dragonhead
Diosgenin
Drynaria
Dragon's Blood
Devil's Club
Dianthrone
Dwarf Morning Glory
Dolichos
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Didymin
Date
Dwarf Nettle
Dulse
Dithiolthiones
Desmodium
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Duckweed
Dimorphandra gardneriana
Diosmetin
Davilla rugosa
Deerbrush
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
E-Viniferin
Ellagic Acid
European Elder
Elk antler
Echinacea
Emblicanin
Eicosatetraenoic acid
European Field Elm
Echinodorus
Ecdysteroids
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eupatorium
Evening Primrose
Elenolic acid
Elemi
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Embelia
Ellagitannin
Emodin
Ecklonia
Fig
Goldthread
Glycine
Glycosaminoglycans
Galangal
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
omega-5 fatty acids
Prickly Pear Cactus
Pistachio
Quince
Quinoa Protein
Rose
Rhubarb
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Silk protein
Squash
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
walnut
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
