Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the health condition: Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, for various gastrointestinal conditions. More recently, scientific research has investigated its potential benefits for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The active compounds in licorice root, particularly glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and mucosal-protective properties. In vitro and animal studies have shown that licorice extract can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce oxidative stress, and protect the intestinal mucosa from damage.
However, evidence in human clinical trials is limited and often of low quality. A small number of studies suggest that licorice root extracts or its isolated compounds may help reduce inflammation or symptoms in IBD patients, but these studies typically have small sample sizes and short durations. No major clinical guidelines recommend licorice root as a primary or adjunctive therapy for IBD. Additionally, prolonged or excessive consumption of licorice root can cause serious side effects, including hypertension and electrolyte imbalances, due to its glycyrrhizin content.
In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and limited preclinical and early clinical evidence supporting the use of licorice root for IBD, robust clinical data are lacking. Its use should be approached cautiously, and more research is needed to establish efficacy and safety in this context.
More about licorice root
More about Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Other ingredients used for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
2'-Fucosyllactoseakkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
aloe vera
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
bacillus clausii
bacillus subtilis
barberry
barley
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
butyrate triglyceride
cat's claw
chamomile
citrus pectin
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fish oil
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
l-glutamine
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus lactis
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
licorice root
luteolin
marshmallow
n-acetyl-glucosamine
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nicotinamide riboside
omega-3 fatty acids
pectin
peppermint oil
butyric acid
psyllium
reishi mushroom
saccharomyces boulardii
shiitake mushroom
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
xylanase
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
bentonite
punarnava
rubia cordifolia
swertia
myrrh
algae
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Apigenin
Andrographolide
Avocado
anthocyanidins
Acemannan
Arabinoxylan
Apocynin
Arctiin
Astragalin
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Brassica
Boswellic Acid
Butternut
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Bacillus licheniformis
Bioflavonoids
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Cichoric acid
Cruciferous
Casticin
Celandine
Chirata
Cannabidiol
Enterococcus
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Ellagitannin
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
