There is something wonderfully unassuming about licorice root.
At first glance, Glycyrrhiza glabra is simply a woody, golden-brown root. But beneath that rough exterior is an herb with an extraordinary sweetness and a very long history. Licorice has traveled through ancient herbal traditions, apothecaries, kitchens, and medicine chests for centuries, earning a reputation as a soothing companion for the throat, stomach, and respiratory system.
And despite its candy-shop name, true licorice root has very little to do with the black licorice sweets many of us know today.
Let’s dig into the roots.
🌿 What Is Licorice Root?
Licorice, also spelled liquorice, is a perennial plant belonging to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its roots contain a naturally occurring compound called glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for much of licorice root’s characteristic sweetness.
In fact, glycyrrhizin is dramatically sweeter than ordinary table sugar.
The dried root has traditionally been prepared as tea or decoction, powdered and incorporated into herbal formulas, or used in extracts and other preparations.
Licorice has a particularly long history of traditional use throughout European, Middle Eastern, Chinese, and Ayurvedic herbal practices.
🍯 Traditionally Used to Soothe the Digestive System
One of licorice root’s best-known traditional roles is as a soothing digestive herb.
Herbalists have long used licorice preparations when the digestive tract feels irritated or uncomfortable. Its naturally soothing qualities have made it a common addition to formulas intended to support the stomach and upper digestive tract.
You may also encounter something called DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice.
DGL is licorice that has had most of its glycyrrhizin removed. It is commonly marketed for digestive support because removing glycyrrhizin reduces some of the safety concerns associated with regular licorice root.
Research into licorice and digestive conditions is ongoing, however, so it shouldn’t be considered a replacement for medical treatment for ulcers, reflux, or other gastrointestinal conditions.
🌬️ A Traditional Herb for the Throat & Respiratory System
Licorice root has also been treasured as a traditional respiratory herb.
Its soothing nature has made it especially popular in herbal preparations for dry, scratchy, or irritated throats. It is frequently paired with herbs such as marshmallow root, mullein, thyme, ginger, or slippery elm.
Traditionally, licorice has also been described as an expectorant, meaning it has been used to help loosen and move mucus from the respiratory tract.
This is one reason you’ll still find licorice root tucked into many traditional herbal throat teas and respiratory blends.
✨ Naturally Occurring Plant Compounds
Licorice root contains numerous biologically active plant compounds, including glycyrrhizin and various flavonoids.
Laboratory research has found antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity among certain licorice compounds. These findings are interesting and help researchers understand why the plant has attracted so much attention throughout herbal history.
However, laboratory activity does not automatically mean that consuming licorice will treat inflammation, infections, or disease in people.
That little distinction is important whenever we wander between traditional herbalism and modern clinical research.
🫖 How Licorice Root Is Traditionally Used
There are several ways licorice appears in herbal practice:
Tea or decoction: Dried root can be simmered in water to create a naturally sweet herbal preparation.
Herbal blends: Because of its sweetness, small amounts of licorice are sometimes added to bitter or strongly flavored herbal teas.
Throat preparations: Licorice is commonly found in traditional throat teas, syrups, and lozenges.
Digestive preparations: Regular licorice and DGL products may appear in formulas designed for digestive support.
Herbal extracts: Licorice is also available as liquid extracts and other concentrated preparations.
Because concentrated products can vary significantly in strength and glycyrrhizin content, their directions and precautions matter.
🌙 Licorice in Traditional Herbalism
Beyond individual uses, licorice has an interesting role in traditional herbal formulation.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice, known as Gan Cao, has historically been incorporated into many multi-herb formulas. It has traditionally been valued not only for its own properties but also as an herb used alongside others within carefully constructed preparations.
Its naturally sweet flavor makes it especially distinctive. Where some roots announce themselves with bitterness and bark-like intensity, licorice arrives carrying sweetness straight from the soil.
⚠️ An Important Note About Licorice Root Safety
Natural does not always mean gentle enough for unlimited use, and licorice root is a perfect example.
Glycyrrhizin can cause serious side effects when consumed in excessive amounts or over extended periods. It can contribute to sodium and fluid retention, potassium loss, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and other cardiovascular problems.
Regular licorice root may be inappropriate for people with certain heart, kidney, or blood-pressure conditions. It can also interact with medications.
Pregnant people should avoid medicinal amounts of licorice unless specifically advised otherwise by an appropriate healthcare professional.
If you’re taking prescription medications, have an existing health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to use licorice regularly rather than occasionally, speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using it.
DGL removes most glycyrrhizin and therefore has a different safety profile, but that doesn’t make every DGL product automatically appropriate for everyone.
🌾 A Root Worth Respecting
Licorice root is one of those plants that beautifully illustrates what herbalism can be: part history, part chemistry, part tradition, and an ongoing conversation with modern science.
Its intensely sweet root has been used for generations in preparations intended to comfort irritated throats, complement respiratory blends, support digestion, and soften the flavor of more bitter herbs.
But licorice also reminds us that herbs deserve respect.
A plant can be beautiful, traditional, useful, and remarkably complex all at once. Learning its benefits also means learning its boundaries.
And perhaps that is one of the loveliest lessons an old apothecary root can offer us: know the plant, know its story, and know when a little is enough.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Herbal products can cause side effects and interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare professional when appropriate.