Evidence supporting the use of: Glycyrrhizic acid
For the health condition: Rhinitis, Allergic

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

Glycyrrhizic acid, a principal component of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia, for treating various upper respiratory tract conditions, including symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) frequently include licorice root in formulas aimed at soothing mucous membranes and reducing inflammation. However, direct historical references to its use for specifically "allergic rhinitis" are less common, as the modern concept of allergic rhinitis does not have a precise analogue in older medical texts. Nonetheless, its use for runny nose, sneezing, and respiratory discomfort is well-documented.

Scientific evidence for the efficacy of glycyrrhizic acid in allergic rhinitis is limited but suggestive. Some preclinical studies and small clinical trials point toward anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, such as the inhibition of histamine release and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could theoretically alleviate allergic symptoms. However, robust, high-quality clinical trials in humans with allergic rhinitis are lacking, and its use remains primarily justified by tradition rather than modern scientific consensus. Thus, while there is a plausible mechanism and some supportive data, the overall evidence is modest.

More about glycyrrhizic acid
More about Rhinitis, Allergic

Products containing glycyrrhizic acid

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.