Licorice
Also known as DGL, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, glycyrrhiza, glycyrrhiza glabra
Key takeaways
- Licorice gargle juice provides significant pain relief for aphthous ulcers (PMID: 36451559)
- Glycyrrhiza glabra shows potential in the management of rheumatoid arthritis through specific pharmacological mechanisms (PMID: 41177239)
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 3 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a botanical supplement used for various therapeutic purposes. Current research suggests potential efficacy in treating oral ulcers and managing rheumatoid arthritis, though clinical data is limited.
By condition
Aphthous ulcers
Moderate
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial found licorice gargle juice effective for pain relief in aphthous ulcers.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Weak
A comprehensive review suggests pharmacological mechanisms and synergistic strategies for managing rheumatoid arthritis, though primary clinical evidence is limited.
Effective doses
Not specified in provided abstracts
Safety & interactions
Safety and metabolism studies in women have been conducted (NCT03948243); however, specific contraindications were not detailed in the provided abstracts.
Limitations
The available evidence is based on a very small number of studies with low sample sizes (e.g., N=54 for ulcers). There is a lack of large-scale, phase 3 clinical trials to confirm broad efficacy.
Top-rated Licorice products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
Drug–supplement interactions
48 documented interactions
| Drug | Severity | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antiarrhythmics | Critical | Licorice is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9, which decreases metabolism of CYP2C9 sub | cyp-inferred |
| Anticonvulsants | Critical | Licorice is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, which decreases metabolism of CYP3A4 | cyp-inferred |
| GI Prokinetics | Critical | Licorice is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, which decreases metabolism of CYP3A4 | cyp-inferred |
| Immunosuppressants | Critical | Licorice is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, which decreases metabolism of CYP3A4 | cyp-inferred |
| Theophylline | Critical | Licorice is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, which decreases metabolism of CYP3A4 | cyp-inferred |
| ARB | Moderate | Licorice is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9, which decreases metabolism of CYP2C9 sub | cyp-inferred |
| Ace Inhibitors | Moderate | Licorice causes potassium loss via pseudohyperaldosteronism, while ACE inhibitor | well-established |
| Amphotericin B (cholesteryl sulfate) | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Amphotericin B | ddinter-verified |
| Amphotericin B (lipid complex) | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Amphotericin B | ddinter-verified |
| Amphotericin B (liposomal) | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Amphotericin B | ddinter-verified |
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 234 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 3 sources, sorted by quality
**Liu et al., 2022** | Pak J Pharm Sci | Rct Liu Hsin-Li, Hsu Po-Ya, ... Lin Kuan-Yu. Effective licorice gargle juice for aphthous ulcer pain relief: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2022-Sep;35(5):1321-1…
**Prajapati et al., 2026** | J Ethnopharmacol | Systematic Review Prajapati Krishna, Mishra Raj, Jain Vandana. A comprehensive review of Glycyrrhiza glabra in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: ethnopharmacology, pharmacological mechan…
**NCT ID**: NCT03948243 **Phase**: PHASE1 **Status**: COMPLETED **Enrollment**: 19 **Completion**: 2022-04-22
Frequently asked questions
What is licorice root and what is it used for?
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a botanical supplement used for various therapeutic purposes. Current research suggests potential efficacy in treating oral ulcers and managing rheumatoid arthritis, though clinical data is limited.
Does licorice root help with mouth sores?
There is moderate evidence that licorice gargle juice provides significant pain relief for aphthous ulcers, based on a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. However, effective doses are not specified in the provided research.
Can licorice root treat rheumatoid arthritis?
Research suggests potential efficacy in managing rheumatoid arthritis through specific pharmacological mechanisms, but the evidence is weak. Primary clinical evidence is limited, so more research is needed to confirm these benefits.
What are the safety concerns and side effects of licorice root?
Safety studies have been conducted, but specific contraindications were not detailed in the provided abstracts. Because it can cause potassium loss, it is important to monitor health status closely. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Does licorice root interact with blood pressure medications?
Yes, there is a well-established moderate interaction with ACE inhibitors and other antihypertensives. Glycyrrhizin in licorice can inhibit enzymes that regulate cortisol, potentially affecting blood pressure and potassium levels. Consult your doctor if you take these medications.
Who should avoid taking licorice root?
Individuals taking ACE inhibitors, other antihypertensives, or Warfarin should avoid or closely monitor their use of licorice root due to established interactions. Those on these medications should consult a healthcare provider to assess risks. Pregnant individuals should also seek professional advice due to limited safety data.
How does licorice root interact with Warfarin?
There is a possible minor interaction where licorice may reduce Warfarin efficacy through an unknown mechanism. This could potentially decrease INR levels, so monitoring is recommended. Always discuss supplement use with your healthcare provider while on anticoagulants.