Licorice: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Licorice (*Glycyrrhiza glabra*) is a perennial herb valued primarily for its sweet roots and underground shoots. According to herbal medicine references, licorice root has traditionally been used as an expectorant for coughs and bronchitis. Herbal guides also describe its protective effects on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. However, this plant is not suitable for everyone: it can raise blood pressure and disrupt the body's water and salt balance.

What Is Licorice and How Can You Identify It?

Licorice belongs to the legume family. Reference books also list other names, including smooth licorice and licorice root. The latter refers to the characteristic sweet taste of the plant's underground parts.

It is a perennial herb. Botanical descriptions indicate that its stems are upright, usually 50 to 100 cm tall, with relatively few branches. The leaves grow alternately along the stems. Each leaf consists of several pairs of leaflets and one terminal leaflet. The leaflets are oval and covered with glandular hairs. These hairs can make the surface feel sticky, especially on the underside.

The flowers are light purple, sometimes with a whitish-purple tint. They grow in clusters in the leaf axils. Each flower resembles a butterfly, a characteristic shared by many members of the legume family. Flowering occurs mainly in summer. Different botanical descriptions give flowering periods from June to July or from June to August. The fruits ripen later. They are brown, leathery pods that usually do not split open.

The main feature of licorice lies underground. It has a strong, woody rhizome and numerous underground shoots. Its root system is well developed and can extend deep into the soil. The long underground shoots allow the plant to spread and form extensive patches.

Licorice grows in the southern part of European Russia, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Central Asia, and Kazakhstan. It grows in floodplain and wet meadows, depressions in steppe areas, wasteland, and fallow fields. It is particularly common in places where groundwater lies relatively close to the surface.

For medicinal use, the entire herb is not harvested. The roots and rhizomes are used primarily. It is therefore important to distinguish the botanical description of the living plant from the description of the medicinal material sold in pharmacies.

What Does Licorice Root Contain, and Why Is It So Sweet?

According to herbal medicine references, licorice root contains glycyrrhizic acid, sugars, and resins. Particular attention has traditionally been given to glycyrrhizin, the substance responsible for the root's pronounced sweetness.

Reference books note that glycyrrhizin is approximately 40 times sweeter than sugar. Chemically, however, it is not a sugar. The root's unusual sweetness is therefore not explained solely by the presence of ordinary sugars.

The raw material is described as intensely sweet, sometimes with a slight irritating quality and a faint bitter aftertaste. Its sweetness has made licorice a popular ingredient in herbal tea blends and licorice products.

But one thing is important to understand. A pleasant taste does not mean that the plant can be consumed without limits. Glycyrrhizin is biologically active, and regular or excessive consumption can cause unwanted changes in the body. This is why medicinal use of licorice root requires caution.

What Are the Traditional Benefits of Licorice? What Do Herbal Guides Say?

A review of herbal medicine references reveals several traditional uses for licorice. These relate primarily to the respiratory tract and the mucous membranes of the digestive system.

For Coughs and Mucus Buildup

One of licorice's best-known properties is its expectorant action. Herbal guides describe the use of its root for coughs and bronchial conditions. Some also mention its potential to help loosen mucus.

Historical descriptions associate the plant with relief for the throat and chest during coughing. J. Grau's reference book specifically mentions the use of licorice for bronchitis.

However, traditional use does not mean that the root can eliminate the underlying cause of a cough. It does not replace diagnostic assessment or prescribed treatment. It is particularly important to seek medical advice if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, a high temperature, coughing up blood, or a persistent cough.

For the Mucous Membranes of the Stomach and Intestines

A reference book on wild medicinal plants describes licorice as having a protective effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. Its traditional use for ulcerative lesions of the stomach is specifically mentioned.

This information should be understood as a description of a recognized traditional use, not as a recommendation to treat an ulcer on your own. Stomach conditions require a diagnosis and professional monitoring. Licorice does not replace necessary treatment.

As an Ingredient in Herbal Tea Blends

Because of its pronounced sweetness, licorice root is used in herbal blends. It gives drinks a distinctive flavor and may be included in multi-ingredient products.

However, you should not add licorice to every herbal blend simply to make it sweeter. The compatibility of the plants and the overall safety of the blend matter. People who take medication or have chronic conditions should be especially cautious.

How to Understand the Benefits Without Exaggerating Them

When people ask what licorice treats, it is important to distinguish traditional information from proven treatment for a specific disease. Reference books describe its use as an expectorant and as a substance that protects mucous membranes. But this information does not justify promising a cure for bronchitis, ulcers, or any other condition.

I would encourage you to approach medicinal plants sensibly. First, determine what you want to address. Then consider the contraindications and discuss use with a healthcare professional. Natural origin does not guarantee safety.

How Is Licorice Used for Coughs and Bronchitis?

J. Grau's reference book describes a simple way to use the root: gently boil one teaspoon of licorice for a short time. It also mentions purified licorice juice in an amount of half a teaspoon twice a day before meals. The same source notes that use should not exceed one week because of the risk of swelling of the face or ankle area.

These are historical reference instructions, not a universal treatment regimen. They do not specify all the factors that determine safety, including a person's age, underlying conditions, medications, and the concentration of the particular product. These amounts should therefore not be applied to every licorice preparation.

How Do You Brew Licorice?

If you are using dried root, first check the instructions on the package. Different forms of raw material and ready-made preparations may vary in composition and preparation method.

Herbal medicine references include a recommendation to gently boil one teaspoon of licorice. However, the description does not provide a universal infusion recipe with an exact volume of water and steeping time.

For medicinal use, pharmacy-grade material with clear labeling and instructions is preferable. Roots collected yourself require accurate plant identification and proper processing. If your doctor has approved the use of licorice, follow their recommended preparation method and duration of use.

How Should You Take Licorice for a Cough?

First, consider the cause of the cough. It can accompany viral infections, bronchitis, allergies, and other conditions. The same symptom does not always call for the same approach.

Licorice has traditionally been used as an expectorant, but its use should be discussed with a doctor if the cough is severe, keeps returning, or occurs alongside other symptoms. Do not combine several products containing licorice without checking their ingredients: the total amount of glycyrrhizin you consume may increase.

For bronchitis, licorice should be considered only as a possible addition to prescribed treatment. It does not replace treatment, and prescribed medications should not be changed.

Can Licorice Be Used for Other Conditions?

Historical herbal medicine references mention licorice not only for respiratory conditions but also in connection with the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. However, traditional use does not establish that taking it on your own is appropriate for every condition.

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, asthma, an ulcer, or cancer, do not choose licorice solely on the basis of descriptions in herbal guides. Whether it is appropriate depends on your diagnosis, overall health, and potential interactions with medications. In these cases, discuss any use with your treating doctor. The plant should be considered only as an addition to prescribed treatment, and you should agree on its use with your doctor without stopping your medications.

How Should Licorice Roots Be Harvested and Stored?

The roots and rhizomes are used as medicinal raw material. Harvesting them requires care because the plant's underground parts are extensive, and a sweet taste alone is not enough to identify the correct species.

Licorice grows in areas where other closely related species may also be found. A medicinal plant reference book specifically mentions Ural licorice and Korzhinsky's licorice. They differ in the characteristics of their leaves, flowers, and fruits. As a result, harvesting the plant yourself carries a risk of misidentification.

Commercially, the roots are dug up, cleaned of soil, and prepared for drying. V. K. Varlikh's botanical description notes that roots and rhizome sections are cut into pieces up to 40 cm long. The material is dried outdoors or in drying facilities. For even drying, it is spread loosely and turned when necessary.

In descriptions of medicinal raw material, cleaned licorice root appears as light yellow, lightweight, fibrous pieces. They are usually about 30–40 cm long and 2–4 cm thick. The broken surface is fibrous. The taste is sweet and intensely sugary, sometimes with a faint bitter aftertaste.

At home, do not try to harvest the roots unless you are confident that you can identify the plant correctly. A mistake could lead to the use of unsuitable material. It is safer to buy licorice root from a pharmacy, where the name, form, and storage conditions are provided.

Store the prepared material according to the manufacturer's instructions. Protect it from moisture and contamination, and do not use a product showing signs of mold or an unusual smell. Do not harvest roots near polluted roads, industrial facilities, or other places where exposure to harmful substances is possible.

How to Find Licorice Abroad

Outside Russia, licorice is most commonly sold as root or in preparations made from it. To find the correct plant, look for the Latin name *Glycyrrhiza glabra L.*

• USA: licorice, licorice root. Look in health food stores, herbal shops, pharmacies with supplement sections, and online supplement stores.
• Germany: Süßholz, Süßholzwurzel. Look in pharmacies, especially in the medicinal tea (Arzneitee) section, as well as natural food stores and herbal shops.
• France: réglisse, racine de réglisse. Suitable places include pharmacies, parapharmacies, herbal shops, organic food stores, and tea shops.

Licorice is sold in several forms:

• dried, cut root, pieces, sticks, or powder;
• tea bags, sometimes as part of herbal blends;
• liquid extracts and tinctures;
• capsules and tablets containing root powder or its extract.

What to check on the packaging: the Latin name, an indication that the product contains the root (root, radix, or racine), the form, and the dosage. For extracts, check the concentration and glycyrrhizin content if listed. Do not confuse the actual plant with licorice flavoring, which may be made with anise. Also distinguish ordinary herbal tea from a product intended for medicinal use.

Sales regulations vary by country. In the USA, licorice is sold as a dietary supplement; in Germany, it is also available as an over-the-counter medicinal tea. In France, check whether the product is a dietary supplement or a registered herbal medicinal product.

Licorice: Contraindications and Precautions

Licorice is not a harmless supplement that can be consumed in any amount. The most important risk is associated with glycyrrhizin. When consumed in excessive amounts or over a prolonged period, it can disrupt the body's regulation of sodium and potassium.

Current evidence indicates that licorice consumption can cause fluid retention, swelling, increased blood pressure, and reduced potassium levels in the blood. Severe disturbances can lead to muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, and other serious complications.

L. F. Savelyeva's reference book also lists pregnancy, increased adrenal activity, high blood pressure, and heart failure as contraindications. These warnings are particularly important for people with chronic conditions.

Do not use licorice on your own if you have any of the following conditions:

• High blood pressure.
• Heart failure, kidney failure, or other heart and kidney conditions.
• Liver disease, low blood potassium, or a tendency to develop swelling.
• Increased adrenal activity.
• Conditions sensitive to hormonal effects, including some hormone-dependent tumors, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.

Medicinal use of licorice is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because its safety has not been adequately established. It is particularly important to avoid products containing glycyrrhizin without medical supervision.

Drug interactions also require special attention. Licorice may increase the risk of low potassium when used with certain diuretics and stimulant laxatives. Combining it with cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, increases the risk of adverse cardiac effects if potassium levels fall. Interactions with corticosteroids and medications for high blood pressure are also possible. If you take warfarin or certain other medications, compatibility should also be assessed.

There is no universally safe dose of whole licorice root for everyone. Modern reviews often mention 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day as a reference point, but the amount of this substance can vary considerably between raw plant material and finished products. This figure should not be used as a self-prescribed dosing regimen.

Prolonged use without monitoring is particularly risky. J. Grau's reference book specifically limits use to one week and warns about possible swelling of the face and ankles. Modern information adds the risks of high blood pressure, hypokalemia, and abnormal heart rhythms.

If you develop marked weakness, palpitations, fainting, noticeable swelling, or a sudden rise in blood pressure after consuming licorice, seek urgent medical attention.

When Do You Need a Doctor?

I recommend not starting medicinal licorice on your own if you have chronic conditions or take medication regularly. Even a familiar herbal product can affect how medications work and how your body responds.

If you are allergic to plants or ingredients in a finished product, stop using it. Seek medical help if you develop a severe reaction. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, do not use licorice for medicinal purposes without consulting a healthcare professional.

Self-treatment is not appropriate for children. The safety and suitable doses of whole licorice root for children have not been adequately established. Do not apply doses described for adults to a child or use homemade recipes without a doctor's recommendation.

If a cough is accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, blood in the mucus, a high temperature, or rapidly worsening health, do not delay seeking medical attention. A persistent or recurring cough also needs to be evaluated to determine its cause.

If you have any chronic condition, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or thyroid disease, discuss possible licorice use with your treating doctor. The same applies to cancer, especially when the condition is influenced by hormonal factors.

Do not stop prescribed medication in favor of an herbal remedy. If you use licorice as an addition to your treatment, your doctor should know about it and take possible interactions into account.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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