What it does: It is known for supporting digestive comfort, calming occasional throat irritation, and helping the body manage stress by providing adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory benefits.
How it is used: Licorice Root is most commonly used in supplements for digestive wellness, soothing sore throats, supporting respiratory comfort, and stress resilience.
Natural sources and supplement forms: Found naturally in the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, it is available as dried root, powders, herbal teas, liquid extracts, and standardized forms like deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).
Why it appears in supplement formulas: It is included for its dual action of supporting the digestive lining and calming throat tissues while also helping the body cope with stress.
What to know before use: Glycyrrhizin-containing licorice can raise blood pressure or affect potassium levels with long-term use; DGL forms lack this risk and are better for sensitive individuals or prolonged use.
Licorice Root: Ancient Herb with a Naturally Sweet Twist
Licorice root comes from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant and is naturally up to 50 times sweeter than table sugar due to a compound called glycyrrhizin. It has been prized for thousands of years in both Eastern and Western herbal traditions, and its distinctive sweet flavor is still used today in some candies, teas, and supplement blends.
