(DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, and you should consult your healthcare professional before starting any health regimen.)
Key takeaways
- Licorice root comes from Glycyrrhiza plants and has a long history in herbal medicine.
- Many people use it for throat soothing, cough comfort, and digestive support.
- A key compound called glycyrrhizin helps explain both its effects and its risks.
- DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, has much of the glycyrrhizin removed.
- DGL is often chosen for stomach comfort when people want less glycyrrhizin exposure.
- Black licorice candy is not the same as an herbal licorice product.
- Regular or high intake of some licorice products may raise blood pressure and lower potassium.
- People with heart, kidney, or blood pressure concerns should be extra careful.
- Licorice can interact with some medicines, including diuretics, corticosteroids, and blood pressure drugs.
- If you want to use licorice often, talk with a qualified healthcare professional first.
Licorice is one of those herbs many people think they already know. For some, it means black candy. For others, it means a sweet root used in teas, tinctures, and wellness blends. Both are tied to the same plant tradition, but they are not the same thing.
This article focuses mainly on licorice root as an herbal remedy, not black licorice candy. For centuries, people have used licorice in traditional herbal practices for throat comfort, digestive support, and general soothing care. At the same time, licorice is not a casual herb for everyone. Its active compounds can affect the body in meaningful ways, so smart use matters.
What licorice is, and why the plant is more than a candy flavor
Licorice root comes from a flowering plant in the bean family. The root has a naturally sweet taste, which is why it became popular in both herbal medicine and food flavoring. In many traditions, the dried root was brewed as tea, powdered, or added to herbal formulas.
Its sweetness is hard to miss. In fact, licorice root can taste much sweeter than sugar, even though the flavor feels earthy and slightly bitter underneath. That unique mix helps explain why people either love it or avoid it.
Herbalists have used licorice for a very long time. In traditional systems, it often showed up as a soothing herb. It was used to coat irritated tissues, soften the harsh edges of stronger herbs, and support the stomach and throat. Think of it like a natural buffer in a formula, gentle in feel, yet strong enough to deserve respect.
Licorice root vs black licorice candy
This is where confusion starts. Black licorice candy may contain real licorice extract, anise flavor, or a blend of both. Some candies taste like licorice without containing much real licorice root at all.
That matters because candy is a food product, not an herbal preparation. It often includes sugar, corn syrup, colorings, and flavor additives. The amount of actual licorice extract can vary a lot.
So, eating black licorice candy is not the same as sipping licorice tea or taking a licorice supplement. The form, dose, and added ingredients change the picture.
The main compounds that give licorice its effects
The best-known compound in licorice is glycyrrhizin. It contributes to the root’s sweet taste and many of its body effects. It also plays a big role in the safety concerns linked to long-term or high-dose use.
Licorice also contains flavonoids and other plant compounds. These may help explain its soothing feel and its place in traditional wellness formulas. Still, glycyrrhizin gets most of the attention because it can affect fluid balance, potassium levels, and blood pressure in some people.
In other words, licorice isn’t just a pleasant herb. It has active chemistry, which is why careful use matters.
Potential benefits of licorice root people often look for
People usually reach for licorice root because it feels soothing. That simple quality shows up again and again in traditional use. It’s common in herbal teas, throat lozenges, and digestive blends for that reason.
Research on licorice is still developing, and product types vary a lot. So, it’s better to keep expectations realistic. Licorice may support comfort and provide short-term herbal support, but it is not a cure-all.
Licorice works best when you think of it as a targeted support herb, not an everyday free-for-all.
Soothing support for the throat and cough comfort
Licorice has a long reputation for helping the throat feel calmer. That’s why it often appears in cough drops, syrups, and warm tea blends. The root has a slippery, coating quality that many people find comforting when the throat feels dry or scratchy.
It may also help a tea blend taste smoother. In herbal formulas for seasonal discomfort, licorice often pairs with marshmallow root, slippery elm, or ginger.
Still, the goal here is comfort, not a dramatic fix. If a cough is severe, lasts a long time, or comes with chest pain or fever, home care is not enough.
How licorice may help with digestion and stomach comfort
Licorice is also well known for digestive support. Traditionally, people used it for occasional indigestion, stomach irritation, and that raw, unsettled feeling after food or stress.
Part of its appeal is the way it seems to coat and calm. That’s one reason licorice root tea shows up in so many best digestive herbal teas and gut-support blends. For some people, that gentle effect feels like putting a soft blanket over an irritated stomach.
You may also see DGL, which stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice. This form has much of the glycyrrhizin removed. Many people choose DGL for stomach comfort because it offers a different safety profile than standard licorice products.
How to use licorice safely, forms, dose questions, and who should avoid it
Licorice comes in many forms, and each one changes the experience. Tea is mild and traditional. Capsules and extracts can be stronger. Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts. Powders can be mixed into formulas. DGL often comes as chewable tablets made for digestive support.
Because strengths vary so much, labels matter. One product may contain whole licorice root, while another contains a standardized extract with a defined level of glycyrrhizin. Those are not interchangeable.
Common forms of licorice, from tea to DGL supplements
Tea is often the gentlest entry point. People use it for throat comfort or light digestive support.
Capsules and powders are common when someone wants a measured serving. However, product strength can differ a lot.
Tinctures and liquid extracts are concentrated and easy to take in small amounts. Since they absorb quickly, they may not be the best starting point for everyone.
DGL supplements are most often linked with stomach support. Because much of the glycyrrhizin has been removed, DGL is often the form people consider when they want digestive help with less concern about glycyrrhizin exposure.
Important side effects, drug interactions, and higher-risk groups
This is the part many people skip, and they shouldn’t. Regular use of licorice that contains glycyrrhizin can cause serious problems in some people. These may include high blood pressure, low potassium, fluid retention, swelling, and heart rhythm changes.
Pregnant people should avoid licorice unless a clinician says otherwise. People with heart disease, kidney disease, liver concerns, or hypertension should also be cautious.
Licorice can interact with medications, including:
- Blood pressure medicines
- Diuretics
- Corticosteroids
- Digoxin and other heart-related drugs
- Some medicines that affect potassium levels
Short-term use may be fine for some healthy adults, but casual long-term use is not smart. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with a qualified healthcare professional before using licorice regularly.
Choosing a quality licorice product and using it with realistic expectations
A good licorice product should tell you what it contains without making you guess. That sounds basic, but not every supplement label does it well. Some products say “licorice” without noting whether it includes glycyrrhizin or whether it is DGL.
Third-party testing can also help. It won’t make an herb perfect, but it gives you more confidence about identity and purity. Since licorice can have real effects in the body, quality control matters more than marketing language.
What to look for on the label before you buy
Look for the species name when possible, often Glycyrrhiza glabra. Then check whether the product is whole licorice, a standardized extract, or DGL.
Also pay attention to:
- Serving size
- Directions for use
- Added sweeteners or fillers
- Whether glycyrrhizin is present
- Third-party testing or quality seals
If you want tea, choose a product with a short, readable ingredient list. If you want digestive support, DGL may make more sense than a standard licorice capsule. The label should help you tell the difference quickly.
When licorice may fit into a broader herbal routine
Licorice makes the most sense as one tool in a larger routine. It can pair well with a thoughtful approach to food, hydration, stress care, and symptom tracking. It should not carry the whole load by itself.
For example, someone with occasional stomach upset might use licorice tea short-term, while also exploring other soothing teas for mind wellness if stress seems to worsen digestion. That kind of broader view is often more helpful than chasing one herb as the answer to everything.
Use licorice with purpose. Short-term, intentional use is usually a better plan than taking it daily without a clear reason.
Licorice root has earned its place in herbal wellness because it can be comforting, sweet, and surprisingly useful. Many people turn to it for throat support and digestive comfort, especially in tea or DGL form. Still, not all licorice products are the same, and glycyrrhizin changes the safety picture in a big way. The best takeaway is simple: use licorice with care, keep expectations realistic, and get professional guidance if regular use is on the table.
Stay Connected for More Natural Living Inspiration
If you enjoyed this post about herbal wellness and love discovering natural ways to refresh your home and wellness, don’t miss out on future recipes and clean-living tips! Subscribe to the blog for weekly DIYs, wellness inspiration, and herbal remedies delivered straight to your inbox.
Don’t forget to visit my LinkTree for the links to my favorite essential oils, herbal teas, natural recipes, YouTube ambiance videos for sleeping; a project I created to help with insomnia symptoms and the second channel, Rooted in Nature YouTube Channel both channels feature herbal recipes for wellness and home.
Thanks for coming by!
