About Licorice Root Extract
Contains glycyrrhizin, glabridin, and liquiritigenin as key bioactives. A few small, older trials (1970s-80s) suggest DGL form may benefit peptic ulcer symptoms and functional dyspepsia, but study quality is poor and no modern well-powered RCTs exist. Anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects are primarily demonstrated in vitro and animal models — oral bioavailability of glycyrrhizin is limited. Carries dose-dependent risks of pseudoaldosteronism (hypertension, edema, hypokalemia). The DGL form removes most glycyrrhizin and is considered safer for long-term use.
What Licorice Root Extract supports
- Traditional use for digestive comfort; limited clinical evidence
- Glycyrrhizin form carries dose-dependent safety risks
How much Licorice Root Extract to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
150–500
mg
Standard extract doses of 150–500 mg/day. DGL form typically dosed at 380 mg chewed before meals, 2-3x/day (~760–1140 mg/day). Glycyrrhizin intake should stay below 100 mg/day (EU/EFSA threshold) to avoid hypertension and hypokalemia.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. A few small, dated trials suggest DGL form may help with ulcer symptoms; anti-inflammatory/anti-viral claims are mostly in vitro — no modern well-powered RCTs
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