Licorice Root

EVIDENCE: MIXED

Also sold as: Glycyrrhiza glabra, DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, Indian licorice ⚠ see below

Small dental studies tested licorice preparations and lollipops for reduced S. mutans. Ongoing glycyrrhizin exposure can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Species identification also matters: Indian licorice is an ambiguous name shared with Abrus precatorius, whose seeds contain abrin.

Compiled by iSupplementReviews editorial team ·Updated 2026-10-06 · 4 sources

Type: Botanical root extract
Studied dose: Dental trials: licorice lollipops/extract providing glycyrrhizol ~15–30 mg/day; herbal use 1–5 g root/day (DGL for GI)
Best form: DGL for GI indications (glycyrrhizin removed = safer); standardized licorice for antimicrobial uses — the label's 'Indian Licorice Root Extract' names neither species nor standardization
Upper limit: Chronic glycyrrhizin >~100 mg/day → hypertension, hypokalemia, pseudoaldosteronism (documented); EU guidance caps ~100 mg/day
Our rating: MIXED — Some human evidence, inconsistent or indirect

What is licorice root?

Licorice root usually refers to Glycyrrhiza glabra, containing compounds such as glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizol A. These have anti-inflammatory and oral-antimicrobial research. Indian licorice is an ambiguous common name also used for Abrus precatorius, whose seeds contain abrin. A label should identify the species.

What does the research show?

Claim	Evidence	Dose studied	Verdict
Reduces S. mutans / plaque	Small human trials (lollipops, mouthrinse)	Glycyrrhizol ~15–30 mg/day	Weak-positive — real signal, small trials
Oral antimicrobial activity	Lab work + compound isolation	—	Established mechanism
Improves clinical gum disease	No trials	—	Unproven
Chronic glycyrrhizin is safe	Opposite — dose-dependent hypertension/low potassium	>~100 mg/day glycyrrhizin	Refuted — real toxicity ceiling

What dose was studied?

Dental-aimed studies used targeted extract delivery (lollipops, rinses providing defined glycyrrhizol). Herbal GI doses run 1–5 g root/day or DGL equivalents. Here the dose is undisclosed inside a ~0.2 mL dropper serving shared with eight other active ingredients; it could be effective-range or homeopathic, and the label doesn’t allow the distinction.

Side effects

Glycyrrhizin: pseudoaldosteronism, meaning hypertension, low potassium, fluid retention, and rhythm risk at chronic high doses. DGL sidesteps this. Allergic reactions rare. The other ‘Indian licorice’ (Abrus) carries abrin, fatal at milligram seed doses, which is why the ambiguous name is worth more than a footnote.

Drug interactions

Digoxin: low potassium potentiates arrhythmia (documented clinical risk).
Diuretics: additive potassium wasting.
Corticosteroids: glycyrrhizin potentiates cortisol effects.
Blood-pressure drugs: glycyrrhizin counteracts pressure control.

Who should not take it

Hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, low potassium, pregnancy (glycyrrhizin linked to preterm risks in large-cohort data), and anyone on digoxin, diuretics, or steroids, all at meaningful glycyrrhizin doses, which an undisclosed label can’t rule out.

What the authorities say

NCCIH documents both the traditional uses and the glycyrrhizin toxicity profile with explicit dose cautions; EU guidance caps chronic glycyrrhizin ~100 mg/day. The dental literature treats licorice as a promising oral antimicrobial needing bigger trials: more legitimate than most dental-blend botanicals, and still not a proven therapy.

What to know about licorice

Licorice has small mouthrinse and lollipop studies, but species, preparation, amount, and glycyrrhizin content matter. Indian licorice alone is not enough identification. Ongoing glycyrrhizin use can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.

Frequently asked questions about Licorice Root

Does licorice help teeth or gums?

It's one of the few botanicals in this formula with real dental data: small trials show licorice-extract lollipops and mouthrinses reduce S. mutans counts and plaque scores, and the isolated compound glycyrrhizol A is a documented oral antimicrobial. The limitation: these are small, short studies. 'Biologically active in the mouth' is established; 'improves clinical dental outcomes' is not.

What is 'Indian licorice' — and why is it a problem on a label?

Two different plants answer to that name: Glycyrrhiza glabra grown in India (true licorice, presumably intended here) and Abrus precatorius, a legume whose seeds contain abrin, one of the most potent plant toxins known (a ricin relative). The label doesn't disambiguate. The product is almost certainly G. glabra; abrin would be a regulatory catastrophe, not a supplement. But when a Supplement Facts panel uses an ambiguous common name for a plant with a toxic name-twin, the label failed at its one job.

Is licorice safe to take daily?

Glycyrrhizin has a real, well-documented safety ceiling: chronic intake above ~100 mg/day produces pseudoaldosteronism, hypertension, low potassium, fluid retention, and in extremes heart-rhythm problems. DGL removes the glycyrrhizin and dodges the issue entirely. Without a disclosed extract type or dose, consumers can't verify which risk profile applies; another reason the ingredients without disclosed amounts matters.

Why is licorice in a dental formula?

This one is defensible on paper: licorice has a real oral-antimicrobial literature and a traditional tooth-stick/mouth-freshener history across Asia. The vendor's references page even cites a licorice/decay news item. The failure is undisclosed amounts, not the ingredient choice.

Can licorice interact with medications?

Yes. Glycyrrhizin's potassium-lowering compounds with digoxin (arrhythmia risk), diuretics (additive potassium loss), and corticosteroids (it potentiates them). It also mildly counteracts blood-pressure drugs by raising pressure, and inhibits drug-metabolizing enzymes affecting various medications. These are real interactions at real doses; at unknown-trace doses the exposure question is open.

References

Products we reviewed containing Licorice Root

Based on recorded labels or seller-described formulas. Inclusion does not establish a match to the strains, preparations or amounts studied here; check each review's disclosure limits.