Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffect on Acid RefluxSide EffectsHow to TakeAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effect on Acid Reflux
Side Effects
How to Take
Alternatives
Licorice contains a substance calledglycyrrhizin, which may cause side effects. Removing the glycyrrhizin (called deglycyrrhizinated licorice, DGL, or DG licorice) is thought to keep the benefits of licorice without the risk of adverse effects. Many people use DG licorice for the symptoms of acid reflux, but there is not much research to show that it is helpful.
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DG Licorice Effect on Acid Reflux
Licoriceis thought to affect the inner layers of the digestive system. This is why it might be tried to manage various digestive conditions, includingacid reflux.
Licorice can have some negative health effects, especially when people take it in high amounts or for long periods of time. A substance in licorice called glycyrrhizin is thought to be what causes side effects. In order to use it for health benefits, a form of licorice with the glycyrrhizin removed has been developed (deglycyrrhizinated licorice).
The Difference Between Licorice and DG LicoriceLicorice root is processed in order to make it into a supplement, either a powder or a liquid. The second processing—called deglycyrrhizination—removes the glycyrrhizin (which is a type of acid) from licorice.Glycyrrhetic acid gives licorice its sweetness. However, it may also cause side effects, which is why it’s removed from licorice supplements.
The Difference Between Licorice and DG Licorice
Licorice root is processed in order to make it into a supplement, either a powder or a liquid. The second processing—called deglycyrrhizination—removes the glycyrrhizin (which is a type of acid) from licorice.Glycyrrhetic acid gives licorice its sweetness. However, it may also cause side effects, which is why it’s removed from licorice supplements.
Licorice root is processed in order to make it into a supplement, either a powder or a liquid. The second processing—called deglycyrrhizination—removes the glycyrrhizin (which is a type of acid) from licorice.
Glycyrrhetic acid gives licorice its sweetness. However, it may also cause side effects, which is why it’s removed from licorice supplements.
DG licorice is thought to be helpful in digestive health because it causes the lining to produce more mucus.
Mucus is a slippery jelly-like substance that helps move food and stool along the digestive system and protects the lining of the digestive organs.Mucusis present in stool, but there’s not enough of it to be seen or felt unless a condition is causing more than usual to be produced.
DG licorice may increase the amount of mucus and help it be more effective. The mucus may be of higher quality and better able to protect the digestive tract lining. Some studies show that this increase in helpful mucus could be useful in treatingstomach ulcers.
A 2017 study was done on people with various digestive conditions to see if DG licorice was helpful. The study was small (38 people in it had reflux) and not a rigorous clinical trial. But there was a telling result, with most people in the reflux group saying that the preparation containing DG licorice helped their symptoms.
Another study showed that a preparation containing licorice was helpful in treatingmouth ulcers. The study involved people receiving treatment forhead and neck cancerwho developed mouth ulcers as a result.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence about DG licorice and acid reflux. While DG licorice may be helpful because it is thought to increase mucus production, most of the studies on the topic are old or not of high quality.
More studies are needed, especially clinical trials, to prove that DG licorice is helpful in acid reflux and to determine which people may benefit the most.
Side Effects and Interactions
When it’s used in food, licorice is thought to be generally safe. However, taking it in high amounts or for an extended time period could have health effects.
Some of the side effects that licorice (with the active ingredient of glycyrrhizin) can cause are:
Increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels in the blood can occur in people who take licorice root supplements in high doses or for a long time.
Potassiumis important in many body systems, and levels that are too low can contribute to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Licorice supplements could have negative effects in people who already live with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease.
Licorice in PregnancyHigh amounts of licorice root in the diet of some pregnant people are shown to lead to premature birth.If you want to take licorice supplements but are pregnant or may become pregnant, discuss them with a healthcare provider.There’s not much evidence on taking licorice root while breastfeeding or chestfeeding, so the safety profile isn’t known. In general, because there is a lack of evidence regarding safety, it’s best to avoid certain supplements while nursing.
Licorice in Pregnancy
High amounts of licorice root in the diet of some pregnant people are shown to lead to premature birth.If you want to take licorice supplements but are pregnant or may become pregnant, discuss them with a healthcare provider.There’s not much evidence on taking licorice root while breastfeeding or chestfeeding, so the safety profile isn’t known. In general, because there is a lack of evidence regarding safety, it’s best to avoid certain supplements while nursing.
High amounts of licorice root in the diet of some pregnant people are shown to lead to premature birth.If you want to take licorice supplements but are pregnant or may become pregnant, discuss them with a healthcare provider.
There’s not much evidence on taking licorice root while breastfeeding or chestfeeding, so the safety profile isn’t known. In general, because there is a lack of evidence regarding safety, it’s best to avoid certain supplements while nursing.
How to Dose DG Licorice Supplements
There is no recommended dosage of DG licorice. Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements for safety, efficacy, or accuracy of labeling,what is actually contained in a product may differ from what is on the label.
The European Union gives an upper limit (the highest dose they concluded was safe for most people) of 100 milligrams (mg) of glycyrrhizin daily. Glycyrrhizin is the ingredient in licorice that might be responsible for the side effects.
Important Warnings About Taking LicoriceIt’s important that people who live with health conditions, especially heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, talk to a healthcare provider before taking any amount of licorice supplements. People who take a medication that affects potassium levels will also want to check with a healthcare provider about the possible effects.
Important Warnings About Taking Licorice
It’s important that people who live with health conditions, especially heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, talk to a healthcare provider before taking any amount of licorice supplements. People who take a medication that affects potassium levels will also want to check with a healthcare provider about the possible effects.
Labels on most over-the-counter (OTC) supplements will have a suggested dosage. The dosage on one brand will not be the same as the dosage on another because the ingredients often are different.
It is important to read carefully and understand how much licorice or DG licorice is being consumed. Additionally, working with a healthcare provider to understand licorice and how it should be taken is important.
Alternatives for Symptom Relief
There’s not enough evidence to say that DG licorice would helptreat acid reflux. There are other options, however.
You might try diet and lifestyle changes. In reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter isn’t closing properly, so acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus (food tube). Some foods can loosen the sphincter and should be avoided, includingthese foods:
Other lifestyle and at-home remedies to try for reflux include:
Compared to OTC Acid Reflux Medication
OTC remedies are often used to treat acid reflux. Many options are available, and they may be effective for the occasional bout of reflux.
Some of the medications available include:
For Chronic Symptoms
Acid reflux that occurs more than a few times a week might be diagnosed as chronic (long-lasting). Over-the-counter remedies may not be as effective at relieving symptoms when reflux is chronic.
Seeing a healthcare provider (such as agastroenterologist—a specialist who treats digestive conditions) for a diagnosis and treatment is important for symptom relief and improving quality of life.
Beyond treatment with medications, surgery may be an option for people who have serious reflux that doesn’t get better with lifestyle changes and/or medications.
Summary
DG licorice may increase the amount of mucus the digestive system makes. This mucus may be of higher quality and may help with a variety of complaints. However, there’s not much evidence that DG licorice is helpful for acid reflux, especially because many of the studies on its use are older and of low quality.
People with certain health conditions should avoid DG licorice because it may have serious adverse effects. Acid reflux is often treated with over-the-counter remedies or prescription medications.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ahuja A, Ahuja NK.Popular remedies for esophageal symptoms: a critical appraisal.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2019;21:39. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0707-4Setright, Russell.Prevention of symptoms of gastric irritation (GERD) using two herbal formulas: An observational study.J Austral TradMed Soc. 2017;23:68.Ghalayani P, Emami H, Pakravan F, Nasr Isfahani M.Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide mucoadhesive film with licorice mucoadhesive film on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial.Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017;13:e48-e56. doi:10.1111/ajco.12295National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Licorice root.Harvard Health Publishing.The importance of potassium.Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.de Putter R, Donck J.Low-dose liquorice ingestion resulting in severe hypokalaemic paraparesis, rhabdomyolysis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.Clin Kidney J. 2014;7:73-75. doi:10.1093/ckj/sft159Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.Food and Drug Administration.Over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn treatment.Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117:27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538Additional ReadingAly AM, Al-Alousi L, Salem HA. Licorice: a possible antiinflammatory and anti-ulcer drug.AAPS PharmSciTech.2005;6:74–82.Martin MD, Sherman J, van de Ven P, Burgess J. A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning Licorice extracts for the treatment of aphthous ulcers.Gen Dent. 2008;56:206-210.Nasiri M, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of Pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. And its Bioactive compounds.Phytother Res. 2008;22:709-724.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ahuja A, Ahuja NK.Popular remedies for esophageal symptoms: a critical appraisal.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2019;21:39. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0707-4Setright, Russell.Prevention of symptoms of gastric irritation (GERD) using two herbal formulas: An observational study.J Austral TradMed Soc. 2017;23:68.Ghalayani P, Emami H, Pakravan F, Nasr Isfahani M.Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide mucoadhesive film with licorice mucoadhesive film on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial.Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017;13:e48-e56. doi:10.1111/ajco.12295National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Licorice root.Harvard Health Publishing.The importance of potassium.Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.de Putter R, Donck J.Low-dose liquorice ingestion resulting in severe hypokalaemic paraparesis, rhabdomyolysis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.Clin Kidney J. 2014;7:73-75. doi:10.1093/ckj/sft159Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.Food and Drug Administration.Over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn treatment.Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117:27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538Additional ReadingAly AM, Al-Alousi L, Salem HA. Licorice: a possible antiinflammatory and anti-ulcer drug.AAPS PharmSciTech.2005;6:74–82.Martin MD, Sherman J, van de Ven P, Burgess J. A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning Licorice extracts for the treatment of aphthous ulcers.Gen Dent. 2008;56:206-210.Nasiri M, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of Pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. And its Bioactive compounds.Phytother Res. 2008;22:709-724.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ahuja A, Ahuja NK.Popular remedies for esophageal symptoms: a critical appraisal.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2019;21:39. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0707-4Setright, Russell.Prevention of symptoms of gastric irritation (GERD) using two herbal formulas: An observational study.J Austral TradMed Soc. 2017;23:68.Ghalayani P, Emami H, Pakravan F, Nasr Isfahani M.Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide mucoadhesive film with licorice mucoadhesive film on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial.Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017;13:e48-e56. doi:10.1111/ajco.12295National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Licorice root.Harvard Health Publishing.The importance of potassium.Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.de Putter R, Donck J.Low-dose liquorice ingestion resulting in severe hypokalaemic paraparesis, rhabdomyolysis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.Clin Kidney J. 2014;7:73-75. doi:10.1093/ckj/sft159Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.Food and Drug Administration.Over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn treatment.Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117:27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538
Ahuja A, Ahuja NK.Popular remedies for esophageal symptoms: a critical appraisal.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2019;21:39. doi:10.1007/s11894-019-0707-4
Setright, Russell.Prevention of symptoms of gastric irritation (GERD) using two herbal formulas: An observational study.J Austral TradMed Soc. 2017;23:68.
Ghalayani P, Emami H, Pakravan F, Nasr Isfahani M.Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide mucoadhesive film with licorice mucoadhesive film on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial.Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017;13:e48-e56. doi:10.1111/ajco.12295
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Licorice root.
Harvard Health Publishing.The importance of potassium.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA 101: dietary supplements.
de Putter R, Donck J.Low-dose liquorice ingestion resulting in severe hypokalaemic paraparesis, rhabdomyolysis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.Clin Kidney J. 2014;7:73-75. doi:10.1093/ckj/sft159
Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.
Food and Drug Administration.Over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn treatment.
Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol.2022;117:27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538
Aly AM, Al-Alousi L, Salem HA. Licorice: a possible antiinflammatory and anti-ulcer drug.AAPS PharmSciTech.2005;6:74–82.Martin MD, Sherman J, van de Ven P, Burgess J. A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning Licorice extracts for the treatment of aphthous ulcers.Gen Dent. 2008;56:206-210.Nasiri M, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of Pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. And its Bioactive compounds.Phytother Res. 2008;22:709-724.
Aly AM, Al-Alousi L, Salem HA. Licorice: a possible antiinflammatory and anti-ulcer drug.AAPS PharmSciTech.
2005;6:74–82.
Martin MD, Sherman J, van de Ven P, Burgess J. A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning Licorice extracts for the treatment of aphthous ulcers.Gen Dent. 2008;56:206-210.
Nasiri M, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of Pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. And its Bioactive compounds.
Phytother Res. 2008;22:709-724.
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