Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for managing various conditions, including symptoms related to menopause. Traditional uses are based on the belief that licorice has estrogen-like activity and can help alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings associated with menopause. Historically, herbalists have recommended licorice as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

Scientific studies on licorice for menopause are limited but suggest some potential benefit. Certain compounds in licorice, such as glabridin and liquiritigenin, are classified as phytoestrogens, meaning they can weakly mimic estrogen in the body. Small clinical trials and animal studies have indicated that licorice extracts may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and improve menopausal symptoms, but these studies are generally of low quality, with small sample sizes and methodological limitations. Safety concerns, particularly regarding licorice’s potential to cause hypertension and hypokalemia with prolonged use, also limit its utility.

In summary, while licorice’s use in menopause is grounded primarily in traditional practices and supported by a plausible biological mechanism, robust scientific validation is lacking. More high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication.

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