Licorice Root: Not Candy, but an Herbal Remedy
Mention the word “licorice,” and most people think of the chewy black candy that they have been eating since they were kids. But licorice is also a potent herb that has been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes.
Licorice root comes from a purple and white flowering perennial that originated in the Mediterranean region and central and southwest Asia. Traditionally, it has been boiled to extract its sweetness, and has been used in making licorice candy. But licorice root, by itself or in compounds with other herbs, has many medicinal uses.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that can cause fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and loss of potassium, when taken in large amounts, or in moderate amounts for two weeks or more. To prevent this effect, some manufacturers remove glycyrrhizin from the licorice root, to produce a licorice-related product called deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL .
Proposed Uses of Licorice
Gastric Ulcers and Stomach Irritation —Licorice is believed to have a protective effect on the cells lining the stomach and appears to increase blood flow. A combination therapy containing DGL and ordinary antacids has been used to prevent and treat gastric ulcers. Weak evidence also suggests that DGL might help protect the stomach from the irritation and ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Licorice in combination with other herbal products is also frequently used for treatment of dyspepsia .
Mouth Sores—DGL might help relieve the discomfort of canker sores in the mouth, although there have not been any studies on this subject.
Eczema, Psoriasis, and Herpes—A topical licorice cream (often mixed with chamomile extract) is sometimes used to treat various skin conditions, such as eczema , psoriasis , and herpes, but there is little evidence for its effectiveness in treating eczema.
Dosage and Safety Issues
For ulcer treatment, the standard dose of DGL is 2-4 380 mg tablets taken before meals and at bedtime. For mouth pain, the tablets can be slowly dissolved in the mouth.
The standard dose of whole licorice is 5-15 grams per day. However, you should not use doses this high for more than one week. Excessive use of licorice (not DGL) may increase blood pressure and cause fluid retention, headache, and loss of potassium.
A maximum adult dose of 0.3 grams of licorice root per day has been recommended by experts for long-term use. Larger doses should only be taken under the supervision of your doctor.
Licorice is also available in a liquid form.
Other Side Effects
Whole licorice reduces testosterone in men, and therefore may adversely affect fertility or libido. Licorice use should be avoided by women who are pregnant or nursing, or who have had breast cancer .
Drug Interactions
When taken with thiazide diuretic medicine, licorice may increase potassium loss. Sensitivity to digitalis glycosides may occur with loss of potassium. Licorice should not be taken with the following medications:
- Cardiac glycosides
- Stimulant laxatives
- Diuretics
- Steroids
- Any potassium-depleting drugs
- Antihypertnesive medicines
If you are considering taking licorice root or DGL, talk to your doctor first to rule out potential drug interactions or other concerns.
RESOURCES:
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
http://www.mcphs.edu/
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nccam.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Pharmacists Association
www.pharmacists.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
Complementary therapies. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences website. Available at: http://www.mcphs.edu/.
Licorice. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=114. Updated February 2010. Accessed June 21, 2010.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian P. Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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