Licorice (2024)

Armanini D, De Palo CB, Mattarello MJ, et al. Effect of licorice on reduction of body fat mass in healthy subjects. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003;26:646-50.

Armanini D, Nacamulli D, Francini-Pesenti F, Battagin G, Ragazzi E, Fiore C. Glycyrrhetinic acid, the active principle of licorice, can reduce the thickness of subcutaneous thigh fat through topical application. Steroids. 2005 Jul;70(8):538-42.

Borrelli F, Izzo AA. The plant kingdom as a source of anti-ulcer remedies. [Review]. Phytother Res. 2000;14(8):581-91.

Choi JS, Han JY, Ahn HK, et al. Fetal and neonatal outcomes in women reporting ingestion of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) during pregnancy. Planta Med. 2013;79(2):97-101.

Cinatl J, Morgenstern B, Bauer G, et al. Glycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice roots, and replication of SARS-associated coronavirus. Lancet. 2003;361(9374):2045-6.

Dhingra D, Parle M, Kulkarni SK. Memory enhancing activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;91(2-3):361-5.

Dhingra D, Sharma A. Antidepressant-like activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. in mouse models of immobility tests. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2006;30(3):449-54.

Fatima A, Gupta VK, Luqman S, Negi AS, Kumar JK, Shanker K, et al. Antifungal activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts and its active constituent glabridin. Phytother Res. 2009 Jan 23. [Epub ahead of print]

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Hidden Risks of Black Licorice

Langmead L, Rampton DS. Review article: herbal treatment in gastrointestinal and liver disease -- benefits and dangers. [Review]. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2001;15(9):1239-52.

LaValle JB, Krinsky DL, Hawkins EB, et al. Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide. Hudson, OH:LexiComp; 2000:470-1.

Lee JW, Ji YJ, Yu MH, Bo MH, Seo HJ, Lee SP, Lee IS. Antimicrobial effect and resistant regulation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nat Prod Res. 2009;23(2):101-11.

Madisch A, Holtmann G, Mayr G, et al. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a herbal preparation. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Digestion. 2004;69:45-52.

Melzer J, Rosch W, Reichling J, et al. Meta-analysis: phytotherapy of functional dyspepsia with the herbal drug preparation STW 5 (Iberogast). Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004;20:1279-87.

Menati L, Khaleghinezhad K, Tadayon M, Siahpoosh A. Evaluation of contextual and demographic factors on licorice effects on reducing hot flashes in postmenopause women. Health Care Women Int. 2014;35(1):87-99.

Messier C, Epifano F, Genovese S, Grenier D. Licorice and its potential beneficial effects in common oro-dental diseases. Oral Dis. 2012;18(1):32-9.

Ofir R, Tamir S, Khatib S, Vaya J. Inhibition of serotonin re-uptake by licorice constituents. J Mol Neurosci. 2003;20(2):135-40.

Olukoga A, Donaldson D. Liquorice and its health implications. J R Soc Health. 2000;120(2):83-9.

Rakel: Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012.

Ruetzler K, Fleck M, Nabecker S, et al. A randomized, double-blind comparison of licorice versus sugar-water gargle for the prevention of postoperative sore throat and postextubation coughing. Anesth Analg. 2013;117(3):614-21.

Shibata S. A drug over the millennia: pharmacognosy, chemistry, and pharmacology of licorice. [review]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2000;120(10):849-62.

Sigurjonsdottir HA, Franzson L, Manhem K, et al. Liquorice-induced rise in blood pressure: a linear dose-response relationship. J Hum Hypertens. 2001;15:549-52.

Somjen D, Knoll E, Vaya J, Stern N, Tamir S. Estrogen-like activity of licorice root constituents: glabridin and glabrene, in vascular tissues in vitro and in vivo. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004;91(3):147-55.

Strandberg TE, Jarvenpaa AL, Vanhanen H, McKeigue PM. Birth outcome in relation to licorice consumption during pregnancy. Am J Epidemiol. 2001 Jun 1;153(11):1085-8.

Tamir S, Eizenberg M, Somjen D, et al. Estrogenic and antiproliferative properties of glabridin from licorice in human breast cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2000;60(20):5704-9.

Tamir S, Eizenberg M, Somjen D, Izrael S, Vaya J. Estrogen-like activity of glabrene and other constituents isolated from licorice root. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2001;78(3):291-8.

Tominaga Y, Nakagawa K, Mae T, et al. Licorice flavonoid oil reduces total body fat an visceral fat in overweight subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. 2009;3(3).

van Rossum TG, Vulto AG, Hop WC, Schalm SW. Glycyrrhizin-induced reduction of ALT in European patients with chronic hepatitis C. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96(8):2432-7.

FAQs

How much DGL can I take a day? ›

The standard dosage for DGL is two to four 380-mg chewable tablets between or 20 minutes before meals. Taking DGL after meals is associated with poor results. DGL should be continued for 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the response.

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What are the side effects of DGL licorice? ›

Licorice with glycyrrhizin may cause serious side effects. Too much glycyrrhizin causes a condition called pseudoaldosteronism, which can cause a person to become overly sensitive to a hormone in the adrenal cortex. This condition can lead to headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks.

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Does DGL heal stomach lining? ›

Research suggests DGL promotes the release of naturally occurring compounds that protect and heal the gut lining. * That's why a gummy is a format is ideal for maximizing the impact of DGL.

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Is it okay to eat liquorice every day? ›

Licorice that contains glycyrrhizin is possibly unsafe when consumed in large amounts or for a long time. Eating licorice 5 grams or more daily for several weeks can cause severe side effects including heart attack. People who have heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure are more sensitive to it.

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Is it safe to take DGL long term? ›

This can cause a burning sensation. DGL is a form of licorice that people have processed for safer consumption. They remove a substantial amount of a substance called glycyrrhizin. This makes DGL safer for long-term use and has less interactions with medical conditions or medications than licorice extract.

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Will DGL raise blood pressure? ›

Glycyrrhizin can cause other side effects such as electrolyte imbalance, and particularly increased sodium and decreased potassium levels. [2] DGL, with the glycyrrhizin removed, does not pose a risk of affecting blood pressure in individuals with irregular blood pressure.

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Who should not eat licorice? ›

There is not a specific “safe” amount, but people with high blood pressure or heart or kidney disease should avoid black licorice, which could worsen these conditions. For people over 40, the FDA says that more than two ounces a day for two weeks may be problematic and cause irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

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What medications should not be taken with licorice? ›

Liquorice extract has mineralocorticoid-like effects and can cause hypokalaemia, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia and myopathy. Patients taking fludrocortisone or medicines which can deplete potassium should avoid eating liquorice or taking supplements containing liquorice extract.

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Does licorice heal the gut? ›

May help treat peptic ulcers

A 2023 animal study found that licorice flavonoid could help relieve peptic ulcers by increasing mucus production, reducing inflammation, and improving gut microbiome.

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Is licorice good for losing weight? ›

A: Yes, liquorice lowers body fat and inhibits aldosterone levels. Both are responsible for increased body weight. Flavonoids are chemicals found in plants that act as antioxidants. Liquorice oil, high in flavonoids, helps people lose weight by controlling the enzyme involved in fat accumulation and its breakdown.

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Does DGL increase mucus? ›

DGL increased the number of fundus glands in which labelled mucus secreting cells occur as well as the total number of labelled mucus cells per gland.

What vitamin heals stomach lining? ›

Glutamine. Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that may have beneficial effects on the gut. A 2021 research review in Food Science and Human Wellness suggests glutamine might support the gut microbiome, modulate inflammatory responses and promote the integrity of the gut mucosal wall.

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What is the healthiest licorice to eat? ›

If you want the most nutritious licorice available on the market, look no further than Panda all-natural sweet licorice. The list of ingredients for the licorice-based treats is impressively short. They are made from molasses, which contains a high nutritional value and is rich in protein.