Licorice Root Benefits: The Herbalist's Harmonizer

Licorice root has a rare quality in the herb world: it harmonizes. It acts as a bridge, helping other herbs work more effectively across body systems, while also softening the bitter edges in complex blends. That same harmonizing nature translates to how it communicates with the body, gently but with real depth.

The benefits of licorice root are significant, with applications that span stress response, energy, skin health, digestive comfort, hormonal balance, and more. Few roots touch so many systems at once and do it this gracefully.

Its story goes back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians brewed it into teas reserved for pharaohs, and Traditional Chinese Medicine has counted it among its most foundational herbs for over two millennia, prizing it as a guide that chariots other botanicals deeper into the body. That longevity builds a kind of trust, one that humans across cultures and centuries have come back to. The relationships between humans and plants that have survived for centuries are definitely worth paying attention to.

What is Licorice Root?

Licorice root has earned a place in herbalists' hearts for over 2,000 years. Its use was recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and Greek herbalism. Botanically known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, it belongs to the legume family and is native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia. The root is harvested at three to four years of maturity, when its medicinal properties and active compounds are most concentrated.

The name Glycyrrhiza translates roughly as "sweet root," which refers to glycyrrhizin, the compound responsible for the plant's distinctive sweetness. Glycyrrhizin is roughly 50 times sweeter than table sugar, and that natural sweetness has made this widely used Chinese herb a natural flavoring and harmonizing agent in herbal formulas for millennia.

Often commonly known for its role in candy, it's worth mentioning that most American "black licorice" candy does not contain real licorice at all. It is typically flavored with anise oil, which produces a similar taste profile. The genuine Glycyrrhiza glabra licorice plant is sweeter and rounder in flavor, without the sharp spice most people associate with licorice candy.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice root functions as a harmonizer. It acts as a conductor in complex herbal formulas, unifying the energetics of other ingredients and making bitter or strong-tasting herbs easier to take. This role explains why you will find it as a base note across many different formula types, from adaptogenic blends built around stress resilience to respiratory and digestive formulas.

Beyond its role as a harmonizer, the health benefits of licorice extend to oral health support, skin health, and soothing properties that researchers continue to investigate. If you want to experience licorice root in its gentlest form, brew a licorice root tea or a warm herbal tea blend with licorice as your introduction to this herb's characteristic sweetness and warmth.

Adrenal and Stress Support

If there is one area where licorice root has earned some serious modern attention, it is adrenal and cortisol support. When your body is under stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis releases cortisol to help manage the response. Cortisol is then broken down by an enzyme called 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11-beta-HSD2), converting it from its active form into inactive cortisone.

Licorice root supports inhibition of this enzyme, which means cortisol may stay biologically active in your system a bit longer before being converted to its inactive form. Research published in Endocrinology documented this action and its effect on glucocorticoid hormone activity in tissue. Think of it as helping your body work smarter with what it has already made, rather than demanding more output from already-taxed adrenal glands.

This is what makes licorice root such a natural partner in adaptogenic blends. Herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and eleuthero support the body's stress response from the HPA axis side, while licorice root may complement this by supporting cortisol utilization. The result is a more well-rounded approach to stress resilience.

For people navigating ongoing stress, that distinction matters. Licorice root doesn't have a sedative effect, and it's not really stimulating either. It is quieter and deeper than that. It offers steadier and brighter mornings, a more even energy curve through the afternoon, and a body that feels a little less like it is running on fumes.

Digestive Comfort and Gut Support

Licorice root's demulcent action makes it a perfect plant for supporting digestive tissue. When licorice root makes contact with moisture in the body, it produces a mucilage, a soothing, gel-like substance that forms a protective layer along the mucosal lining of the stomach and intestinal tract. This coating action supports a healthy gut lining and may help buffer sensitive tissues against digestive discomfort.

For people with reactive digestion or discomfort, this protective mechanism is genuinely valuable. Research suggests that the mucilage produced by licorice root may have beneficial effects on gastric tissues. Human research continues to develop, so treat this as promising rather than definitive, but the traditional demulcent use has thousands of years of supporting evidence.

Whole Licorice Root vs. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

If you are building a digestive routine with licorice root, you will encounter two main forms: whole licorice root extract and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Licorice root products now come in many forms, including chewable tablets, tinctures, and capsules. DGL has the glycyrrhizin removed from the licorice root extract, making it a consideration for people who want to be mindful of their blood pressure.

Licorice root pairs well with marshmallow root and slippery elm in demulcent formulas. Both herbs produce their own mucilage, and together they create a layered, protective coating throughout the digestive tract. When your gut feels reactive, licorice root makes a strong coating base to build your supporting herbs around.

Respiratory and Throat Support

For dry, scratchy, or lingering discomfort in the throat and airways, licorice root is one of the most effective upper respiratory herbs, and the reason comes back to that same mucilage mechanism. Licorice root coats the throat, bronchial passages, and upper respiratory tissue, supporting a healthy mucosal environment and helping to soothe occasional irritation.

One important note on form: the demulcent action requires physical contact with the tissue. Liquid licorice root extracts and licorice tea are considerably more effective for respiratory support than capsules or dry tablets, because the mucilage needs to coat the throat and bronchial lining directly to do its soothing work.

For ongoing respiratory wellness, a daily cup of licorice tea supports a healthy mucosal environment over time. Consistent demulcent action helps keep tissue better hydrated and less reactive to environmental irritants. WishGarden's Serious Cough Soother liquid formula uses licorice root alongside marshmallow root and wild cherry bark in a fast-absorbing liquid tincture designed for direct coating and soothing action.

Skin Health and Topical Uses

A lesser-known benefit worth knowing about is licorice root's affinity for supporting healthy-looking skin. The same glycyrrhizin and flavonoid compounds that help calm tissue on the inside may also support it on the outside. That is why you will find licorice extract in topical products aimed at supporting skin that appears red, irritated, or uneven in tone.

Licorice root's soothing flavonoid compounds may help support the appearance of calm, comfortable skin. The root's antioxidant flavonoids help support the body's ability to fight free radicals that can contribute to skin aging and damage. Some traditional preparations pair licorice with aloe vera gel for an added layer of cooling, soothing relief across various skin conditions.

How to Use Licorice Root Safely

Glycyrrhizin, licorice root's primary active compound, is the source of both its most meaningful properties and its most important safety considerations.

Glycyrrhizin and its metabolite glycyrrhizic acid act on the kidneys in a way that may influence aldosterone, the hormone responsible for sodium and potassium balance. When glycyrrhizin intake is consistently high, the body may retain more sodium and experience a shift in potassium levels, which can affect blood pressure. This is a dose-dependent response that becomes more relevant with regular, high-dose licorice consumption.

People who are already managing blood pressure or who have existing heart or kidney concerns should consult a healthcare professional before taking licorice root in any supplement form. Those taking corticosteroids, diuretics, or certain drugs should also check in with their provider, as licorice root may influence electrolyte balance in ways that interact with those medications.

Pregnancy is an important consideration, as research has raised concerns around licorice root use during this time, and it is best avoided. As with any herb that has a strong physiological effect, those with specific health circumstances should check in with a healthcare professional before use.

These considerations are not reasons to avoid this herb altogether. There are reasons to use it intelligently and thoughtfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main benefits of licorice root?

Licorice root is traditionally used to support adrenal health, a healthy stress response, digestive comfort, respiratory ease, and skin health. It also functions as a harmonizer in herbal formulas, helping other botanicals work more effectively across body systems.

What is the difference between licorice root and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)?

Whole licorice root extract contains glycyrrhizin, the compound responsible for most of licorice root's active properties. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) has that compound removed, making it a gentler option for those who want digestive support without the blood pressure considerations associated with glycyrrhizin.

What forms does licorice root come in?

Licorice root products are available in many forms, including tinctures, licorice root tea, chewable tablets, capsules, and licorice root extract. For respiratory and throat support, liquid forms like tinctures and herbal teas are generally preferred because they allow the mucilage to coat the throat directly.

Who should avoid taking licorice root?

Those who are pregnant, managing high blood pressure, or dealing with heart or kidney concerns should consult a healthcare professional before taking licorice root. People on corticosteroids, diuretics, or certain other drugs should also seek guidance before use, as licorice root may influence potassium levels and electrolyte balance.

Is black licorice candy the same as licorice root?

No. Most American black licorice candy is flavored with anise oil rather than real licorice. The actual licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, is sweeter and milder in flavor and has distinct medicinal properties that candy versions do not replicate.

Finding Harmony with Licorice Root

Licorice root earns its title as the herbalist's harmonizer. It supports, it soothes, it bridges, and it does all so humbly. Understanding glycyrrhizin, choosing the right form, and finding products where the dosing has been done thoughtfully are what turn this ancient root into a reliable part of your modern wellness routine.

Plants that have held their place in human life for thousands of years have earned that place. Licorice root is one of them. 

Resources

• Glycyrrhetinic acid and inhibition of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, Endocrinology
  
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Licorice Root
• American Botanical Council, herbalgram.org

Rebecca Younger is passionate about herbs and women's health. She aspires to plant seeds of inspiration within her community about plant medicine and healthier ways of life. She studied Herbal Medicine at Herbalism Roots in Denver and is a certified Doula through the Matrona Foundation. She is the Brand Communications Specialist at WishGarden Herbs.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.