Licorice is an herb commonly used as a flavoring agent and medicinal treatment for an array of disorders. Licorice has been used throughout history to treat different digestive disorders, including nausea, vomiting and dyspepsia, due to its soothing effect on the digestive system. You can experience nausea on its own, but sometimes it is the symptom of a more serious, underlying medical condition. See your doctor for a definite diagnosis before trying licorice for nausea.
About Licorice
Licorice, also called glycyrrhiza glabra, is a popular herb known for its unique and distinctive flavor. The root of the licorice plant is commonly used to make the licorice supplements you see in health stores. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, licorice is sometimes called sweet root because of compounds that make it 50 times sweeter than sugar. If you have ever tasted licorice, chances are you know how sweet it is. For thousands of years, licorice has been used in Eastern and Western medicine to treat the common cold, respiratory disorders and digestive disorders. A specific kind of licorice, called deglycyrrhizinated licorice, is most commonly used for digestive conditions, because it is less likely to cause adverse reactions.
Effects on Nausea
You may experience nausea as having an upset stomach combined with the urge to vomit. There are many conditions that cause nausea, including heartburn, food poisoning, motion sickness, medication-related dyspepsia and stomach ulcers. The calming compounds in licorice comprise one of the reasons it is used to treat respiratory conditions and breathing disorders. Licorice is known to have a soothing effect on your stomach, but the herb may also contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit certain disorders. Licorice may also help your nausea if it is caused by esophageal irritation, stomach inflammation and other inflammatory digestive disorders because of anti-inflammatory compounds it contains.
Research
Powerful compounds in licorice may have a positive impact on stomach functions that contribute to your nausea and other gastrointestinal issues. A study published in the June 2011 issue of “Evidenced-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” evaluated the effectiveness of licorice extracts on dyspepsia. Study participants who received a licorice-based supplement showed significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms compared to placebo. An evaluative study published in the April 2009 issue of “Phytotherapy Research” confirmed that licorice root has potent antispasmodic properties and has been used in Eastern cultures for many years to effectively regulate digestive functions.
Considerations
Although herbs occur in nature, they contain phytochemicals that can cause adverse reactions. However, you have a greater chance of adverse reactions when taking a higher than recommended dose of licorice. Drugs.com states that a dosage of licorice as high as 15 grams a day has been used to treat stomach disorders. However, ask your doctor what amount of licorice is safe to treat the cause of your nausea. Excessive amounts of licorice may result in muscle pain and numbness of the extremities. Avoid using licorice in combination with estrogen-based drugs or cardiac medications unless directed to do so by a physician.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Licorice; Steven D. Ehrlich N.M.D.; March 2010
- MedlinePlus; Nausea and Vomiting; David C. Dugdale III, M.D., et al.; October 2009
- “Evidenced-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine”; An Extract of Glycyrrhiza Glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia; K.R.Raveendra, et al.; June 2011
- “Phytotherapy Research”; Isoliquiritigenin, a Flavonoid from Licorice, Plays a Dual Role in Regulating Gastrointestinal Motility in Vitro and in Vivo; G. Chen, et al.; April 2009
- Drugs.com; Licorice
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