Evidence supporting the use of: Licorice root
For the body system: Reproductive System

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

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.

More about licorice root
More about Reproductive System

Other ingredients that support Reproductive System

acetyl l-carnitine
amino acids
ashwagandha
beta-sitosterol
black cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
broccoli
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese salvia root
choline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
fenugreek
fish protein
flaxseed
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ginger
ginseng
gokhru
hops
inositol
iodine
iron
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-arginine
l-carnitine
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus jensenii
licorice root
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
maca
magnesium
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
muira puama
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
pomegranate
protein
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
rehmannia glutinosa
saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
selenium
soybean
spearmint leaf
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
red clover
suma
squawvine
mugwort
nut grass
anise
punarnava
smilax
chaff flower
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
eucommia
ganoderma
lotus seed
morinda
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
guelder rose
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
barrenwort
shepherd's purse
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
yohimbe
11-Ketotestosterone
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
8-Prenylnaringenin
Antler
Arachidonic Acid
Achyranthes
Anamu
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Ant
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Blue Cohosh
Babchi
Baliospermum
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bugbane
Bulbine natalensis
Black Gram
Banyan
Ba Ji Tian
Barbasco
Bee products
Borassus aethiopum
banana
Boerhavia diffusa
Calochortus
Curculigo orchicides
Cohosh
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cucurbita
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Cyathula
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Casticin
Campylandra fimbriata
Catuaba
Costus
Carthamus
Canscora
DHEA
Daidzein
Deer Velvet
Dong Quai
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Date
Egg
Elk antler
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Embelia
Isoflavones
Lotus
Orchid
yohimbine

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