Found in capsules, teas, extracts and candy, licorice root may provide you with health benefits for some conditions. Studies on licorice for treating eczema, heartburn, ulcers and weight loss show promise. Not all the claims surrounding the product are supported by scientific evidence, however. Consult your doctor before beginning any treatment program. Licorice with the active ingredient glycyrrhiza can cause serious side effects, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Another type of extract called deglycyrrhizinated licorice, DGL, does not seem to have the same negative side effects.
Eczema
Licorice may provide relief for your eczema symptoms. If you have eczema, you may experience inflammation and itching primarily on your arms and the backs of your legs. A 2003 study published in the "Journal of Dermatological Treatment" found patients who used licorice gel experienced relief of symptoms, including itching, redness and swelling. A 2 percent concentration of licorice was more effective than a 1 percent concentration during the two-week study. The study concluded that licorice extract can be considered as an effective treatment option for eczema.
Heartburn
You can use licorice and a combination of other herbs to relieve heartburn symptoms. Government website MedlinePlus notes you can find the herbs packaged together in a product called Iberogast or STW5. The mixture includes angelica, caraway, clown's mustard plant, celandine, German chamomile, lemon balm, milk thistle and peppermint leaf. Taking 1 ml orally three times per day during a four-week period may reduce your acid reflux severity and the pain of cramping, nausea and vomiting, MedlinePlus notes.
Ulcers
The DGL form of licorice is used as a treatment for stomach ulcers, but evidence of its effectiveness is mixed, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. The medical center cited a study on aspirin, which often causes ulcers in rats, in which rats given licorice-coated aspirin developed 50 percent fewer ulcers. In another study, 100 patients with stomach ulcers took licorice root extract to treat their symptoms. For 86 of the patients, conventional treatment methods had been ineffective. The ulcers disappeared in 22 patients, and conditions for 90 percent of participants improved. Yet, other studies showed licorice had no effect on ulcers, the medical center added. Consult your doctor if you are attempting to treat an ulcer with licorice or other methods.
Body Fat
If you have extra body fat, you may find results with licorice. A 2003 study in the "Journal of Endocrinologial Investigation" found licorice reduced body fat and suppressed the hormone aldosterone, which regulates the salt and water balance of the body. The 15 participants, who were normal weight, ate 3.5 g of licorice per day for two months and retained more water, even though body fat decreased. In another study, a component of licorice called glycyrrhetinic acid was found to reduce the thickness of fat on the thighs when applied topically. A 2008 study in "Obesity Research & Clinical Practice" showed participants who ate 900 mg of licorice flavaoid oil during an eight-week period experienced a significant decrease in body fat, weight and LDL cholesterol levels. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes additional studies are needed to determine whether licorice is effective for the treatment of obesity.
References
- "Journal of Dermatological Treatment"; The Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis with Licorice Gel; M. Saeedi et al.; 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Licorice
- MedlinePlus: Licorice
- "Obesity Research and Clinical Practice"; Licorice Flavonoid Oil Reduces Total Body Fat; Yuji Tominaga; 2008
- "Journal of Endocrinological Investigation"; Effect of Licorice on the Reduction of Body Fat Mass in Healthy Subjects; D. Armanini et al.; 2003
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