Licorice Root

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), sometimes simply "licorice", is a Mediterranean and Western Asian legume whose deeply-flavored root has been a major medicinal herb across European, Middle Eastern, Chinese, and Ayurvedic traditions for at least 4,000 years. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice appears in more formulas than any other single herb, included not just for its own properties but for its capacity to harmonize and balance other herbs. In Western clinical herbalism, it serves as a foundational adrenal tonic, demulcent, and respiratory anti-inflammatory.^1,2

Primary therapeutic territory

Licorice has three overlapping signature actions: it is a demulcent (soothing inflamed mucous membranes by coating them with mucilage), an adrenal tonic (supporting cortisol regulation and adrenal recovery from chronic stress), and an anti-inflammatory (with mechanisms partially overlapping the body's own corticosteroid pathways). This unusual combination makes licorice useful for the chronic-irritation pattern in respiratory, digestive, and adrenal contexts simultaneously, particularly the burned-out, dry, irritated presentation that depleted nervous systems often develop.

Other traditional uses

• Dry, irritated, chronic cough. One of the foundational respiratory demulcents, the herb you reach for when the lungs and throat are inflamed and underlying tissue support is what's needed. Often paired with mullein.
• Gastric ulcers and chronic heartburn. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), a form with the blood-pressure-affecting compound removed, has substantial clinical-trial support for ulcer healing and reflux. Whole licorice has the same activity but with the blood-pressure caveat below.
• Chronic adrenal depletion. The classic herb for the "burned out, can't make cortisol on demand anymore" picture that emerges from years of chronic stress.
• Sore throat. Both internal (tea, tincture) and as a slow-dissolved lozenge for the demulcent coating effect.
• Eczema and chronic skin inflammation. Topical licorice extract has anti-inflammatory effects similar to mild corticosteroids without the skin-thinning side effect.
• Hepatic support. Traditional liver-protective use, particularly for chronic hepatitis. Glycyrrhizin has been studied as adjunctive treatment for chronic hepatitis C in some research.

The blood pressure caveat, important

Licorice's most distinctive feature, and most important caution, is its effect on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The compound glycyrrhizin (and its metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid) inhibits an enzyme that normally inactivates cortisol in the kidneys, leading to mineralocorticoid-like effects: sodium and water retention, potassium loss, and elevated blood pressure. At high doses or with prolonged daily use, this can produce clinically significant hypertension, hypokalemia (low potassium), and edema. The effect is dose-dependent and reversible; small culinary amounts in tea blends are generally fine, but daily medicinal-strength licorice should never be used by anyone with hypertension, kidney disease, heart failure, or who takes diuretic medications without medical supervision.³

In our garden and formulas

Licorice root appears in our Breathe Better Herbal Tea as the demulcent layer for irritated airways, alongside mullein and cinnamon. The amount in any single cup is well below what would cause blood-pressure issues for most people, but anyone with the conditions described above should consult a clinician before regular daily use.

At Gaia's Garden Organics, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) grows in our medicine garden in Umpire, Arkansas. We harvest it ourselves, by hand, at the moment its medicine is at peak.

In our formulas

Gaia's Breathe Better Herbal Tea: Traditionally used to soothe irritated tissues in the throat and airways. Adds a natural sweetness. (Note: if you are managing your blood pressure or take cardiovascular medication, consult a healthcare provider before daily long-term use.)

Licorice has the most situational safety profile of any herb in our garden, generally safe for most people in moderate amounts, but with several specific contraindications that require informed use.

Hypertension, kidney disease, heart failure

Daily medicinal-strength licorice is contraindicated in these conditions due to the glycyrrhizin-mediated effect on aldosterone and blood pressure. People with these conditions should avoid daily licorice tea and discuss any blend containing licorice with their physician.

Diuretic medication interactions

Licorice can cause significant potassium loss; combined with potassium-wasting diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), the effect can be additive and serious. People on these medications should avoid daily licorice without prescriber supervision.

Pregnancy

Daily medicinal-strength licorice is contraindicated during pregnancy. Several large epidemiological studies have linked heavy maternal licorice consumption with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Occasional culinary amounts in tea blends are generally considered safe; daily medicinal use is not.

Hormonal sensitivity

Licorice has measurable effects on sex hormone metabolism (mild estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity). People with hormone-sensitive cancers or endocrine disorders should consult their oncologist or endocrinologist before regular use.

Length of use

Even in healthy adults, continuous daily medicinal-strength licorice for more than 4-6 weeks is generally not recommended without monitoring. Periodic breaks let the body re-establish baseline electrolyte and blood-pressure balance. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) preparations don't have these limits.

Children and pets

Mild licorice in children's herbal tea blends has traditional use for cough but should be limited and short-term. For pets, avoid medicinal licorice except under veterinary supervision; the dose-response in smaller animals is more sensitive than in adults.