Licorice Root 

Licorice Root

Licorice comes from the root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra). This plant has long history of use as a confection, flavoring, and medicine in places where it is native. The main active ingredient in licorice is glycyrrhizic acid, which is many times sweeter than sugar. Glycyrrhizic acid is biologically active and mainly responsible for the therapeutic applications of licorice.

Benefits of Licorice Root

The amazing health benefits of this ancient herb are backed by tons of high quality studies. Among its many proven benefits are the following:

Treats H​eartburn and Acid Reflux

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that licorice root extract supplementation was effective in alleviating heartburn, nausea, indigestion and stomach pain in patients with functional dyspepsia (disorder of sensation and movement in the upper digestive tract).^[1]

Treats Ulcers

Licorice root is found to be beneficial to ulcers in the stomach. Studies have shown that licorice root can kill Helicobacter pylori, which is the causative agent of gastric ulcers, by preventing its adhesion in the stomach lining.^[2-3] This in turn accelerates healing of ulcer craters.

Fights Stress

According to a study published in the Medical Journal of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, licorice was found to help the body fight stress by efficiently regulating the stress hormone known as cortisol.^[4]  

Boosts Immune Function

Results from two high quality studies show that the glycyrrhizic acid in licorice root possesses antiviral and antioxidant properties which can help fight a wide array of infections caused by herpes virus, HIV, hepatitis virus, SARS coronavirus and influenza virus.^[5-6]

Treats Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

The age-related decline in women’s estrogen levels is associated with unpleasant PMS symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, body pain, and other debilitating symptoms. Interestingly, a 2014 study found that licorice root appears to have an estrogen-like effect in women, making it an effective natural remedy for PMS.^[7] According to the study, postmenopausal women who received licorice at 1140 mg/day for 90 days experienced a significant reduction in hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Relieves Constipation

Licorice has a natural laxative effect that promotes peristalsis, the wave-like muscle contractions that moves food to different parts of the digestive tract. In one study, researchers found that women with chronic constipation who received a traditional Iranian herbal preparation containing licorice root had a significant increase in defecation frequency compared to those who took placebo.^[8]

Helps Lose Weight and Improves Cholesterol Levels

One study found that people of normal weight who consumed 3.5 g of licorice root each day for 2 months reduced their body fat mass significantly.^[9] Another study found that people who consumed 900 mg of licorice flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks had significant reductions in body fat, body weight and body mass index, as well as low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.^[10]

References:

1. Raveendra KR, Jayachandra, Srinivasa V, et al. An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2012;2012:216970. doi:10.1155/2012/216970.
2. Krausse R. et al. 2004. In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Extractum liquiritiae, glycyrrhizin and its metabolites. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; 54 (1) 243-246.
3. Wittschier N. Faller G. Hensel A. 2009. Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology; 125 (2) 218-223.
4. Al-dujaili EA, Kenyon CJ, Nicol MR, Mason JI. Liquorice and glycyrrhetinic acid increase DHEA and deoxycorticosterone levels in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting adrenal SULT2A1 activity. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2011;336(1-2):102-9.
5. Pu JY, He L, Wu SY, Zhang P, Huang X. [Anti-virus research of triterpenoids in licorice]. Bing Du Xue Bao. 2013;29(6):673-9.
6. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030881461000244X. Accessed May 31, 2017.
7. 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.
8. Somi MH, Bagheri M, Ghojazadeh M. Efficacy of an Iranian herbal preparation (Lax-Asab) in treating functional constipation: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015;5(3):153-6.
9. 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.
10. 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).