Licorice Root

Traditional respiratory and anti-inflammatory herb with soothing properties, supporting lung health and respiratory comfort

Scientific nameGlycyrrhiza glabra FormulaC42H62O16 (glycyrrhizin) Molecular weight822.93 g/mol CAS1405-86-3

75 absorption score

6 safety / 10

25 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Licorice Root with:

80 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Anti-inflammatory respiratory support

Powerful anti-inflammatory effects for respiratory tract and lung inflammation

Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid provide potent anti-inflammatory effects Evidence B-grade 1-4 weeks

Respiratory tract soothing

Gentle soothing support for irritated respiratory tract and throat

Demulcent properties provide protective coating and soothing effects Evidence B-grade 30 minutes to 6 hours

Expectorant and cough relief

Supports productive cough and helps clear respiratory secretions

Expectorant properties help mobilize and clear respiratory mucus Evidence C-grade 1-7 days

Immune system respiratory support

Supports immune function specifically for respiratory tract protection

Immune-modulating compounds enhance respiratory immunity Evidence C-grade 2-6 weeks

Adrenal and stress support

Supports adrenal function and stress response affecting respiratory health

Glycyrrhizin supports cortisol activity and adrenal function Evidence B-grade 2-8 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Probiotics for Autoimmune Disease Support Gut health & immune modulation 10-100 billion CFU daily B 60% Vitamin D3 Bone health & immune support 1000-2000 IU A 85% Zinc Picolinate Superior immune & healing support 15-30 mg A 95% L-Lysine Immune support & collagen synthesis 1-3g A 90% Oregano Oil Powerful respiratory antimicrobial 100-300mg B 85% Oregano Oil for Antimicrobial Protection Antimicrobial & pathogen defense 1-3 drops diluted daily B 75%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Licorice Root + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Licorice Root + Ginger Enhanced anti-inflammatory and respiratory support Works better together 75

Licorice Root + Mullein Enhanced respiratory soothing and anti-inflammatory effects Works better together 80

Licorice Root + Ivy Leaf Synergistic respiratory support and expectorant effects Works better together 80

Dosage

With meals

Daily200-400mg

Respiratory inflammation200-400mg daily (short-term)

Soothing support200-400mg daily as needed

Chronic conditions200mg daily (with monitoring)

Adrenal support200-300mg daily (limited duration)

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects30 minutes to 6 hours for soothing effects, 1-4 weeks for anti-inflammatory benefits

Peak Benefits2-8 weeks for sustained respiratory and adrenal support

Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement

Toxicity OnsetPossible with high doses or prolonged use

How to measure it

$40-80

MarkerBlood pressure, electrolytes (potassium), if using regularly

OptimalNormal blood pressure, normal potassium levels

Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement

FrequencyMonitor blood pressure and electrolytes if using long-term

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 8 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Alanine aminotransferase increased 2

Aspartate aminotransferase increased 2

Bronchitis 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1

Pneumonia 1

Named as the suspect 8 reports of 11 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 71% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event5

Visited a Health Care Provider5

Hospitalization3

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption High 75 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms

Delivered daily 225 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.37 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Mullein

Enhanced respiratory soothing and anti-inflammatory effects

Both provide respiratory anti-inflammatory and soothing properties · level C

Ivy Leaf

Synergistic respiratory support and expectorant effects

Complementary respiratory soothing and expectorant properties · level C

Ginger

Enhanced anti-inflammatory and respiratory support

Both provide anti-inflammatory effects for respiratory health · level C

What not to take with Licorice Root

2 documented

Potassium Depleting Substances

May worsen potassium depletion

Additive potassium-depleting effects · high significance

Blood Pressure Lowering Herbs

May counteract blood pressure lowering effects

Licorice can raise blood pressure · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

blood-pressure-medications Serious

May reduce effectiveness of blood pressure medications

What to do: Monitor blood pressure closely, avoid if hypertensive

heart-medications-digoxin Serious

May increase risk of irregular heart rhythm

What to do: Avoid concurrent use

diuretic-medications Moderate

May enhance potassium loss

What to do: Monitor electrolyte levels

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Licorice Root Extract (Standardized Glycyrrhizin) 75

Licorice Root Extract (Standardized Glycyrrhizin): Powerful anti-inflammatory, Excellent soothing, Traditional use, Multiple benefits

Food sources

before you supplement

Licorice root tea Moderate glycyrrhizin content · 65

Fresh licorice root Natural glycyrrhizin content · 60

Standardized extracts Concentrated glycyrrhizin · 75

Licorice candy (real licorice) Variable, often low concentration · 40

Too little

deficiency signs

Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
General symptoms addressed by licorice root:
Chronic respiratory inflammation and irritation
Persistent cough and throat irritation
Poor respiratory immunity and frequent infections
Stress-related respiratory problems
Adrenal fatigue affecting respiratory health

Too much

toxicity signs

Concerns with high doses or prolonged use:
Elevated blood pressure and hypertension
Potassium depletion and muscle weakness
Fluid retention and edema
Headaches and fatigue
Irregular heart rhythm (severe cases)

Who benefits most

respiratory-inflammation-asthma

Powerful anti-inflammatory support for respiratory inflammation and asthma

200-400mg daily (short-term use)

cough-throat-irritation

Excellent soothing support for cough and throat irritation

200-400mg daily as needed

chronic-respiratory-conditions

Anti-inflammatory support for chronic respiratory conditions (with monitoring)

200mg daily with regular monitoring

stress-related-respiratory-issues

Adrenal support for stress-related respiratory problems

200-300mg daily (limited duration)

respiratory-immunity

Immune support specifically for respiratory tract health

200mg daily intermittently

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Licorice Root at 200-400mg per serving. The form that matters here is Licorice Root Extract (Standardized Glycyrrhizin).

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How it works

Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid provide potent anti-inflammatory effects
Demulcent properties provide protective coating and soothing effects on respiratory tissues
Expectorant properties help mobilize and clear respiratory secretions
Immune-modulating compounds enhance respiratory tract immunity
Supports cortisol activity and adrenal function affecting respiratory health
Anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties provide respiratory protection

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Strong evidence for anti-inflammatory respiratory effects
Good traditional use evidence for respiratory soothing
Significant adrenal and cortisol-supporting effects
Important safety concerns with blood pressure and electrolytes

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Licorice Root?

Documented effects: Anti-inflammatory respiratory support; Respiratory tract soothing; Expectorant and cough relief; Immune system respiratory support. Powerful anti-inflammatory effects for respiratory tract and lung inflammation

How much Licorice Root should you take per day?

The common daily range is 200-400mg. By goal — respiratory inflammation: 200-400mg daily (short-term); soothing support: 200-400mg daily as needed; chronic conditions: 200mg daily (with monitoring); adrenal support: 200-300mg daily (limited duration).

When is the best time to take Licorice Root?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 30 minutes to 6 hours for soothing effects, 1-4 weeks for anti-inflammatory benefits.

What are the side effects of Licorice Root?

At excessive doses: Concerns with high doses or prolonged use:, Elevated blood pressure and hypertension, Potassium depletion and muscle weakness, Fluid retention and edema, Headaches and fatigue. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with Licorice Root?

Separate it from Potassium Depleting Substances, Blood Pressure Lowering Herbs by two to four hours. May worsen potassium depletion

Does Licorice Root interact with medications?

Documented interactions with blood-pressure-medications, heart-medications-digoxin, diuretic-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Licorice Root?

The marker is Blood pressure, electrolytes (potassium), if using regularly, optimal range Normal blood pressure, normal potassium levels. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by licorice root:, Chronic respiratory inflammation and irritation, Persistent cough and throat irritation.

Taken for

59 Immunity

Vitamin D3 · Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) · Comprehensive Immune Support Complex