Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the body system: Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. In these traditions, licorice root is sometimes used to support reproductive health, particularly for women. For example, TCM practitioners have used licorice in formulas intended to harmonize hormonal function, manage menstrual discomfort, and address issues related to fertility. Some traditional uses also relate to its anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties, which are believed to help the body handle stress—a factor that can impact reproductive health.
However, scientific evidence supporting the direct benefits of licorice root for the reproductive system is limited. Some laboratory and animal studies have explored the effects of compounds in licorice, such as glycyrrhizin, on hormone levels—particularly estrogen and androgen metabolism. There is some evidence that licorice may influence hormonal balance, but these findings are preliminary and not robustly supported by clinical trials in humans. In fact, excessive licorice consumption can have adverse effects on hormone balance and may even disrupt menstrual cycles or fertility due to its potential to affect cortisol and aldosterone pathways.
In summary, the use of licorice root to support the reproductive system is primarily rooted in tradition, with only weak scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for this purpose.
Other ingredients that support Reproductive System
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
8-Prenylnaringenin
Abuta
Acetyl L-carnitine
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Alchemilla
Aletris
Allium tuberosum
amino acids
anamu
anemarrhena asphodeloides
animal protein
anise
Anserina
antler
arachidonic acid
Ashoka
ashwagandha
ba ji tian
babchi
Baliospermum
banana
banyan
barbasco
barrenwort
bee products
beef
Beef liver
beta-sitosterol
black cohosh
black galingale
black gram
blue cohosh
Boerhavia diffusa
Borassus aethiopum
bovine
bovine liver
broccoli
bugbane
Bulbine natalensis
calcium
Calochortus
Campylandra fimbriata
Canscora
Carthamus
casticin
catuaba
chaff flower
chaste tree
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese pond turtle
Chinese salvia root
Chlorophytum
choline
chuchuhuasi
cistanche
Clary sage
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cnidium
cod liver oil
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cohosh
costus
Cucurbita
Curculigo orchioides
Cyathula
Cynomorium
D-Pinitol
daidzein
damiana
date
deer velvet
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
dibenzo-alpha pyrones
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
diosgenin
dodder
dong quai
dong quai root
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
elk antler
Embelia
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
eucommia
Euryale seed
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
evening primrose oil
Fadogia agrestis
false unicorn root
fatty acids
fennel
fenugreek
fish
fish protein
flaxseed
Flueggea suffruticosa
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
formononetin
furostanols
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ganoderma
giant trillium
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
gokhru
Guava
guelder rose
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
hops
horny goat weed
icariin
Indian fagonia
Indian sarsparilla
inositol
inositol phosphate
iodine
iron
isoflavones
Jatropha macrantha
jungli-bean
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-arginine
l-carnitine
Labisia pumila
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus jensenii
Laminaria
Leptadenia
licorice root
lignans
ligustilides
Lilium polyphyllum
linoleic acid (LA)
lipids
lodhtree
long pepper
lotus
lotus seed
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
mandrake
maral root
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Matapalo Tree
Matico
Melatonin
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Millettia
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Morinda
Moringa
Motherwort
Mugwort
Muira puama
Nigella seed
nut grass
Ocotillo
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
orchid
Orchis latifolia
Osthole
Paris polyphylla
Pedalium
Peptides
Petiveria
Phlomis umbrosa
Phyllanthus
Phytoestrogens
Piper chaba
Polygonum
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
Portulaca
probiotics
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
protein
Protodioscin
Puerain
Puerarin
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
quail egg
raspberry
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
Rhaponticum
Rosa laevigata
royal jelly
Rubus
rue
Safed musli
saffron
Salvia
Sanguisorba
Sapogenin
sarsaparilla
saw palmetto
seaweed
selenium
selenium
Selenomethionine
Sensitive Plant
Shataverins
shepherd's purse
Shilajit
Sichuan Lovage
smilax
Soy
soybean
Sparganium
spearmint leaf
squawvine
suma
Szechuan lovage
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Tree of heaven
tribulus
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichilia catigua
turmeric
Tynanthus panurensis
Vegetable Protein
Viburnum
Vidanga
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vitexicarpin
Wild yam
Withanolides
Wood betony
Yarrow
Yohimbe
Yohimbine
Zedoary
Zinc
Other body systems supported by licorice root
Adrenal CortexAdrenal Glands
Blood
Cortisol
Digestive System
Estrogen
Eustachian Tubes
Gastrointestinal Tract
Glandular System
Gums
Immune System
Intestinal System
Large Intestines (Colon)
Liver
Lungs
Lymphatics
Mucus Membranes
Ovaries
Pituitary
Reproductive System
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Skin
Solar Plexus
Specific Hormones
Spleen
Stomach
Sympathetic Nervous System
Teeth
Thymus
Thyroid Gland
Tonsils
Uterus
Vagina
Vocal Cords
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
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
