A humble root, 50 times sweeter than sugar, with a surprisingly long résumé in traditional medicine.
Long before it flavored candy, licorice was a healing root. Herbalists across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe reached for it to calm stomachs, soothe coughs, and quiet inflamed skin. The reason isn’t just folklore. Licorice root carries a dense mix of carbohydrates, minerals, dietary fiber, and bioactive plant compounds, and modern labs keep finding reasons the old remedies may have worked.
Here’s the part worth saying up front: real licorice root is not the sugary black candy of the same name. The candy is mostly wax and sweetener. The root itself owes its sweetness to a compound called glycyrrhizin, and that compound is where a lot of the interesting research begins. If you already like exploring healing plants, this one sits comfortably next to remedies like what happens when you drink aloe vera juice daily.
Key Takeaways
– Licorice root’s signature compound, glycyrrhizin, is tied to anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer research.
– A gentler form called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is often used for heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers.
– Early animal studies suggest licorice may support brain health, blood sugar control, and skin healing.
– Anyone on blood thinners, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should avoid it.
– Moderation matters. Too much can affect your heart, kidneys, and hormones.
A Root With a Long Medicinal History
Most of licorice’s reputation traces back to the gastrointestinal tract, but its compounds reach further than the gut. Glycyrrhizin is the star, linked in studies to reduced inflammation and lower cancer risk. Other molecules in the root have shown up in research on brain function and blood sugar, and the fiber content is what ties it, loosely, to weight management.
One study at a cancer research institute looked at mucositis, the painful mouth inflammation that often comes with cancer treatment. Patients were split into groups. Those who received an ayurvedic licorice preparation alongside conventional care fared best. Only about 15.5% developed severe (Grade 3) mucositis, compared with roughly 43% on conventional treatment alone. The licorice group also had fewer unplanned treatment breaks and hospital stays.
Soothing the Gut
If licorice is famous for anything, it’s calming an unhappy stomach. This is where DGL comes in. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice has had most of the glycyrrhizin stripped out, which makes it gentler for regular use. DGL appears to increase mucus production in the stomach, and that extra lining may shield tissue from excess acid. People have used it for nausea, ulcers, and the heartburn and reflux that come with GERD.
There’s animal evidence behind the ulcer claim too. In one experiment, researchers coated ibuprofen (a drug notorious for irritating the stomach) with licorice and gave it to rats. Ulcer incidence dropped from 100% to 59%, and the ulcers that did form were smaller. What’s striking is that the licorice didn’t interfere with how the ibuprofen was absorbed. When your gut is genuinely in trouble, though, it helps to know simple home remedies that calm diarrhea as well.
What Licorice Does for Your Skin
Licorice has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and demulcent (soothing) qualities, which is why it turns up in remedies for redness and irritation. It may also help brighten the complexion and, according to anecdotal reports, fade blemishes and dark spots over time.
A common home approach is a simple face pack. Mix turmeric powder and Fuller’s earth with cooled licorice tea, apply it, let it dry, then rinse with plain water. A few drops of coconut, olive, or almond oil keep things from feeling tight afterward. Cooled licorice tea has also been dabbed on eczema, psoriasis, dry patches, and rashes, and a licorice decoction has folk use as a light sun protectant.
I’ll be honest here: this part is less settled. Most skin claims rest on tradition and small anecdotes rather than solid clinical trials. If glowing skin is your goal, pairing licorice with foods that help your body make more collagen is a more evidence-backed foundation. And for chronic conditions like psoriasis, what you eat matters too, which is why some people look into whether your grocery list can calm a psoriasis flare.
While the root doesn’t have a strong track record specifically for hair, scalp health tends to travel with skin health, so it’s worth knowing the home remedies that genuinely help with hair fall.
Brain Support and Inflammation
Some of the more intriguing findings involve the brain. Glycyrrhizic acid helped ease neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in mice. Another licorice compound, liquiritigenin, showed anti-inflammatory effects that researchers think could matter for the kind of brain inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s.
One study compared three licorice varieties in mice whose memory had been impaired by induced inflammation. All three improved learning and memory while lowering brain inflammation, and a Korean variety called Shinwongam stood out, reducing harmful proteins and raising BDNF, a protein tied to healthy brain function. These are animal results, so restraint is fair, but the direction is promising.
Blood Sugar and Diabetes
Rat studies have flagged anti-diabetic activity in licorice. In one, diabetic rats given licorice extract saw their blood sugar fall, and two compounds, glabridin and amorfrutin, seemed to be responsible. That doesn’t make licorice a treatment, but it hints at a role in blood sugar balance worth watching. Other kitchen and garden plants are being studied the same way, which is why people are told to stop tossing out mango leaves that may help your blood sugar.
How Much Is Safe
Licorice can be enjoyed daily, but only in moderation. The same glycyrrhizin that does interesting things in small amounts causes trouble in large ones, and overconsumption has been linked to raised heart disease risk, kidney strain, and hormonal imbalance. Two groups should skip it entirely: anyone taking blood thinners, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re on any regular medication, clear it with your doctor first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is licorice candy the same as licorice root?
No. Most black licorice candy is a sugary, waxy sweet that may contain little or no actual root. The medicinal benefits discussed here come from the root itself, not the confection.
What’s the difference between DGL and regular licorice extract?
DGL has had most of its glycyrrhizin removed, which lowers the risk of glycyrrhizin-related side effects. That makes it the preferred form for ongoing digestive support, while whole-root extract keeps the glycyrrhizin that some research focuses on.
Can licorice cause weight gain?
The root’s fiber is generally associated with weight management rather than gain. The bigger concern with overuse isn’t weight, it’s the effect of excess glycyrrhizin on your heart, kidneys, and hormones.
The Bottom Line
Licorice root earns its long history. The evidence is strongest for digestion, where DGL has real support, and genuinely promising (if still early) for the brain, blood sugar, and skin. Treat it as a gentle helper rather than a cure, keep the dose modest, and respect the situations where it doesn’t belong. Used thoughtfully, this sweet root can be a small, worthwhile addition to a broader habit of eating well and feeling the difference.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before adding licorice root or any supplement to your routine, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
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