Fabaceae
Licorice Root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
⚠ Use with Caution
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Southern Europe, Western Asia
Also known as: Sweet Root, Sweetwood, Chinese Licorice
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Adrenal insufficiency, Addison's disease support, peptic ulcer (DGL), IBS, viral hepatitis, respiratory infections, eczema, aphthous ulcers. One of the most widely used herbs globally.
Herbal Actions
Anti-inflammatory, adaptogen (adrenal tonic), demulcent, antiviral, expectorant, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer
Active Constituents
Glycyrrhizin (2–9%), glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, coumarins
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule🍵 Decoction
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1 tsp dried root per 250ml, simmer 10 min, 2–3x daily |
| Tincture | 3–5 ml (1:5, 25% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice): 380–1140mg before meals for ulcers/GERD — lacks hypertensive effects. Whole root: limit to 4–6 weeks continuous use. Max 5g crude root/day to avoid side effects. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Contraindicated in hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, hypokalemia, with corticosteroids, antihypertensives, diuretics. Avoid in pregnancy (may increase risk of preterm delivery). Use DGL form for digestive issues.
Side Effects: Pseudoaldosteronism: sodium retention, potassium loss, hypertension, edema, headache. Reversible upon discontinuation.