Licorice Root: Its Soothing Role in Gut Health And Beyond

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Along with providing information on whether licorice supplements might be right for you, this article also links to Fullscript where you can buy high quality supplements. Order online through Fullscript’s secure healthcare formulary to get the best prices and free shipping on professional-grade supplements.

What Is Licorice?

Licorice is a plant mainly known for its sweet root, which has been used in various forms of traditional medicine for centuries. The root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, responsible for its characteristic sweetness but also linked to some side effects like elevated blood pressure. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, commonly known as DGL, is a modified form of licorice with the glycyrrhizin removed. This makes DGL a safer option for long-term use, especially for those concerned about the potential side effects of regular licorice. Both forms come in various preparations, including teas, chewable tablets, and tinctures, and offer a host of health benefits ranging from digestive support to anti-inflammatory effects.

What are the Benefits of Deglycerized Licorice (DGL)?

• Soothes Digestive Issues: Licorice and DGL are often used to treat conditions like acid reflux and heartburn. They can coat and protect the stomach lining. [PMC7348626]
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The compounds in licorice have natural anti-inflammatory effects that can help with conditions like arthritis, skin rashes, and inflammatory bowel disease. [PMC9025446]
• Antioxidant Benefits: Licorice contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. [PMC8703329]
• Supports Oral Health: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of licorice can help in treating mouth ulcers (canker sores) [PMID: 2632514], combatting bacteria causing bad breath, and periodontal disease. [PMC10243202]

What Are the Benefits of Natural Licorice?

While considering the benefits of natural licorice, it is important to note the side effect of elevated blood pressure, which is not an issue with the deglyycerrhizinated form. With that said, here are some health benefits of taking full-spectrum natural licorice:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: “The active components of licorice, glycyrrhizin (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), could not only potentiate the therapeutic effects but also decrease the adverse effects of NSAIDs or DMARDs through suppressing the COX-2/TxA2 pathway during treatment course of RA.” [PMC4811453]
• Respiratory Relief: The root has been used traditionally to ease symptoms of respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma. A review of studies highlights the potential of licorice in treating COPD and respiratory infections caused by viruses and bacteria. [PMID: 34579633] DGL is considered less effective for use in respiratory conditions because the glycyrrhizin component, which is removed in DGL, plays a key role in the anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects that are beneficial for respiratory issues.
• May Aid Weight Loss: A review of clinical trials found that licorice consumption can reduce body weight and BMI. However, it also raises diastolic blood pressure, making it unsuitable for people with high blood pressure. [PMID: 29433679]
• Promotes Liver Health In NAFLD: A study found that women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who took 1,000 mg/day of licorice root for 12 weeks saw significant improvements in liver enzymes and insulin resistance. The researchers concluded that “licorice root supplementation in addition to gradual weight loss and lifestyle modification is superior to lifestyle modification alone.” [PMID: 35785498]

Is Licorice Safe?

DGL, or Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, is a safer alternative to regular licorice root for long-term use.

Regular, “natural licorice” contains glycyrrhizin, which can lead to elevated blood pressure, water retention, and other issues when consumed in large amounts or over extended periods. One of the most notable side effects is its ability to interfere with the body’s sodium and potassium balance. This can result in elevated blood pressure, water retention, and swelling. It may also cause low levels of potassium in the body, leading to issues like muscle weakness and irregular heart rhythms. High doses of glycyrrhetic acid may also contribute to other health problems, such as headaches, fatigue, and metabolic abnormalities. [PMC3498851]

DGL contains no glycyrrhizin, which is the problematic compound. This makes DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) a more favorable option for those who want to enjoy the health benefits of licorice without the associated risks.

Medication Interaction with Licorice and DGL

• Warfarin: Licorice may interfere with the effectiveness of this blood-thinning medication. DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) is generally considered safer in this regard.
• Digoxin: Licorice may increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. DGL is less likely to interact.
• Diuretics: Licorice can reduce the efficacy of certain diuretics, leading to increased fluid retention. DGL doesn’t have the same effect.
• Corticosteroids: The effects of corticosteroids may be increased when combined with licorice. DGL may not cause the same interaction.
• Insulin: Licorice might affect blood sugar levels, impacting insulin requirements. DGL has lesser effects on blood sugar.
• Anti-hypertensives: Licorice can raise blood pressure and may interfere with blood pressure medications. DGL is a safer option for people on these medications.
• Estrogen-based contraceptives: Licorice may potentially interact with these drugs, reducing their effectiveness. The impact of DGL is not well-studied.
• Aspirin: Licorice can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with aspirin. DGL is less likely to cause this issue.

Supplement Interactions with Licorice

• Potassium Supplements: Licorice can lower potassium levels. DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) has a reduced impact on potassium levels.
• Iron Supplements: Licorice may affect iron absorption. DGL is less likely to interfere with iron metabolism.
• St. John’s Wort: Both can affect liver metabolism of medications. DGL’s effects on liver metabolism are less studied.
• Ginkgo Biloba: Using it with licorice may increase blood pressure. DGL is generally considered to have a lesser effect on blood pressure.
• Garlic: Both garlic and licorice may thin the blood. DGL has a reduced likelihood of this interaction.
• Ginseng: Both ginseng and licorice can raise blood pressure. DGL is less likely to have this effect.
• Echinacea: Both stimulate the immune system, possibly amplifying each other’s effects. DGL’s impact on the immune system is less well-understood.

Food Sources of Licorice

Licorice is not found in most foods. In the United States, a lot of what is marketed as “licorice” candy doesn’t actually contain any real licorice root. Instead, these candies often use anise oil for flavor, which tastes similar to licorice. The label will usually indicate whether the candy contains real licorice extract.

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Deglycerized Licorice (DGL)

DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) does not contain glycyrrhizin, which turns into glycyrrhetic acid in the body, is removed to create DGL. This is done to avoid the side effects associated with glycyrrhizin, such as elevated blood pressure and water retention. DGL is commonly used for gastrointestinal issues like heartburn or ulcers.

Full Spectrum Licorice

Routine daily use of full-spectrum licorice supplements has been associated with health issues including high blood pressure and others due to glycyrrhetic acid. [PMC3498851]

Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.

What To Eat

To Sum It Up

DGL and licorice both offer a range of health benefits, but they serve different needs. DGL is particularly effective for gastrointestinal issues, as it’s processed to remove glycyrrhizin, making it safer for those concerned about blood pressure. On the other hand, the full-spectrum benefits of licorice include respiratory support and immune system benefits, which are not as prominent in DGL. So, if gut health is your main focus, DGL might be the better option, while licorice is a more versatile choice for multiple health benefits.

This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.