| Used for
| Amount | Why |
|---|
Peptic Ulcer | 250 to 500 mg chewable DGL before meals and bedtime |  [3 stars] Licorice root has a long history of use for soothing inflamed and injured mucous membranes in the digestive tract. Flavonoids in licorice may also inhibit growth of H. pylori. |
|
Canker Sores | Mix 200 mg DGL in 200 ml in warm water and swish in mouth several minutes, four times per day
|  [2 stars] Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) and warm water applied to the inside of the mouth may speed the healing of canker sores. Chewable DGL tablets may have the same effect. |
|
Colic
(Chamomile, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Vervain) | 1/2 cup (118 ml) of tea up to three times daily | [2 stars] A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo. |
|
Common Cold and Sore Throat
(Elm Bark, Marshmallow) | 5 to 8 ounces of tea, four to six times per day, for two to seven days | [2 stars] In one study, Throat Coat tea was effective in providing rapid, temporary relief of sore throat pain in people with acute pharyngitis. |
|
Epilepsy
(Asian Ginseng, Bupleurum, Cassia Bark, Chinese Scullcap, Ginger, Jujube, Peony, Pinellia) | 2.5 grams a day of sho-saiko-to or saiko-keishi-to in tea or capsules | [2 stars] The Chinese herb bupleurum is included in two herbal formulas, sho-saiko-to and saiko-keishi-to. Both have been shown to be helpful for epilepsy. |
|
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease | Chew 250 to 500 mg DGL daily before meals and bedtime | [2 stars] Chewing deglycyrrhizinated licorice may help mucous membranes heal. |
|
Hepatitis | Take under medical supervision: 2.5 grams licorice three times per day providing 750 mg glycyrrhizin | [2 stars] One of the active constituents in licorice, glycyrrhizin, has been used to some benefit in Japan as an injected therapy for hepatitis B and C. |
|
Hepatitis
(Asian Ginseng, Bupleurum, Cassia Bark, Chinese Scullcap, Ginger, Jujube, Peony, Pinellia) | Take 2.5 grams of sho-saiko-to three times per day | [2 stars] Trials have shown that the bupleurum-containing formula sho-saiko-to can help reduce symptoms and blood liver enzyme levels in people with chronic active viral hepatitis. |
|
HIV and AIDS Support | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] Licorice inhibits HIV reproduction in test tubes, supplementing with it may be safe and effective for long-term treatment of HIV infection. |
|
Liver Cirrhosis
(Asian Ginseng, Bupleurum, Cassia Bark, Chinese Scullcap, Ginger, Jujube, Peony, Pinellia) | 2.5 grams of the Chinese herbal formula sho-saiko-to three times daily | [2 stars] The Chinese herb bupleurum is a component of the formula sho-saiko-to, which was shown in one preliminary trial to liver cancer risk in people with liver cirrhosis. |
|
Asthma | Refer to label instructions
|  [1 star] Licorice, which has a soothing effect on bronchioles, has traditionally been used for asthma. |
|
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] A case report described a man with CFS whose symptoms improved after taking 2.5 grams of licorice root daily.
|
|
Cold Sores | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice in the form of a cream or gel may be applied directly to cold sores in order to speed healing and reduce pain. |
|
Cough | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice has a long history of use for relieving coughs. |
|
Crohn’s Disease | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice is an anti-inflammatory herb historically recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. |
|
Eczema | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice may help eczema through its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to affect the immune system. |
|
Gastritis | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice root has been traditionally used to soothe stomach inflammation and injury. Its flavonoid constituents have been found to stall the growth of H. pylori in test tube studies. |
|
Genital Herpes | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice root contains antiviral substances, and ointments containing related substances are effective in treating herpes infections. |
|
Hay Fever
(Asiasarum Root, Cassia Bark, Ginger, Ma Huang, Peony, Pinellia, Schisandra) | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] The Japanese herbal formula known as sho-seiryu-to has been shown to reduce symptoms, such as sneezing, for people with hay fever. |
|
Hepatitis | 200 mg of crude extracts or 40 mg purified proteins three times per day | [1 star] One of the active constituents in licorice, glycyrrhizin, may be helpful for people with acute and chronic viral hepatitis. |
|
HIV and AIDS Support
(Asian Ginseng, Bupleurum, Cassia Bark, Chinese Scullcap, Ginger, Jujube, Peony, Pinellia) | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] The herbal formula sho-saiko-to has been shown to have beneficial immune effects on white blood cells in people infected with HIV. |
|
Indigestion, Heartburn, and Low Stomach Acidity | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice protects the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract by increasing the production of mucin, a compound that protects against the adverse effects of stomach acid and various harmful substances. |
|
Menopause | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice is an herb with weak estrogen-like actions similar to soy. In one trial, a formula containing licorice, burdock, dong quai, wild yam, and motherwort reduced menopause symptoms. |
|
Shingles and Postherpetic Neuralgia | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice has been used as a topical treatment for shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. |
|
Ulcerative Colitis | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Licorice is an anti-inflammatory and soothing herb that may be effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. |
|
© Steven Foster