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GhamaHealth editorial botanical scene representing licorice root, Glycyrrhiza glabra, digestive comfort, respiratory support and herbal wellness

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Licorice Root: Digestive, Respiratory and Adrenal Support

A practical GhamaHealth guide to licorice root, traditional use, DGL, glycyrrhizin, digestive comfort, respiratory formulas, adrenal context and safety considerations.

Curious why licorice appears in digestive, respiratory and adrenal formulas?

Trying to compare regular licorice, high-grade licorice and DGL products?

Wondering when it may fit — and when blood pressure, potassium, kidney, heart or medicine cautions matter?

Licorice root, botanically known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a sweet-tasting root used in traditional herbal medicine. It can be useful in digestive, respiratory and adrenal support contexts, but this is not a casual “safe for everyone” herb. The difference between standard licorice and DGL matters.

✦Table of Contents

✦Key Takeaways

Licorice root is Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is a Fabaceae-family root used in traditional herbal medicine.
Standard licorice and DGL are not the same. DGL removes most glycyrrhizin and is usually used in digestive comfort formulas.
Licorice needs stronger safety wording. It may affect blood pressure, potassium and fluid balance in susceptible people.
Medication caution matters. Extra care is needed with blood pressure medicines, diuretics, heart medicines, corticosteroids and kidney concerns.
Do not oversell adrenal claims. Use “adrenal support context” rather than claiming licorice fixes cortisol or stress.

Published: January 2025 • Reviewed: 10 June 2026

Licorice root has a long history in herbal medicine and is commonly used in digestive, respiratory and adrenal support formulas. It is sweet, soothing and widely recognised — but it is also one of the herbs where safety wording really matters.

The old version of this page had useful intent, but it overclaimed around ulcers, reflux, cortisol, inflammation, immune boosting and infection protection. It also needed stronger separation between standard licorice and DGL.

This rebuild keeps licorice useful while making the language safer: traditional digestive and respiratory support, adrenal context where labelled, clear DGL explanation, product form differences, and strong cautions around blood pressure, potassium, kidney health, pregnancy and medicines.

The context layer

How to think about licorice root

Licorice root sits across digestive support, respiratory herbs and adrenal formulas, which means the wording needs discipline.

Licorice root is used in traditional herbal medicine, liquid extracts, tablets, capsules, DGL digestive formulas and combination products. Depending on the product, the focus may be digestive comfort, mucous membrane support, respiratory comfort, adrenal health or overall resilience.

That does not mean licorice should be described as treating ulcers, reflux, bronchitis, infections, adrenal fatigue, cortisol imbalance, inflammation or immune dysfunction. Those claims can mislead customers and may be unsafe for people with blood pressure or kidney concerns.

For GhamaHealth, licorice works best as a targeted support herb with clear boundaries: useful, traditional and clinically relevant — but not casual.

Botanical name

Glycyrrhiza glabra, a root from the Fabaceae family.

Key distinction

Standard licorice contains glycyrrhizin; DGL is deglycyrrhizinated licorice used mainly in digestive products.

Best-known role

Traditional digestive, respiratory and adrenal support where the product label allows.

GhamaHealth view

Licorice root should never be treated like a harmless lolly. It is a useful herb, but the blood pressure, potassium and medicine cautions are part of the conversation, not fine print.

The tradition layer

Traditional herbal context

Licorice has a long traditional history, especially in formulas designed to soothe, harmonise and support mucous membranes.

Digestive tradition

Traditionally used to support digestive comfort and soothe the gastrointestinal tract where labelled.

Respiratory context

Appears in respiratory formulas for throat, cough and bronchial comfort where the product label supports that use.

Adrenal formulas

Used in some adrenal and stress support formulas, often alongside other traditional herbs.

Formula harmoniser

Licorice is traditionally used in some herbal systems to support and balance formulas.

DGL digestive use

DGL is commonly used in products designed for gut lining and digestive comfort support.

Modern wording

Use “supports digestive comfort” or “traditional respiratory support” instead of disease-treatment language.

The product layer

Glycyrrhizin, DGL and product forms

Licorice products are not interchangeable. This is the most important part of the page for customer clarity.

Feature	Why it matters	Better customer-facing wording
Standard licorice	Contains glycyrrhizin, the compound associated with many of licorice’s traditional actions and key safety cautions.	Use only as directed and check suitability with blood pressure, kidney, heart and medicine concerns.
High-grade licorice	May be more concentrated or selected for stronger herbal activity depending on the product.	Best suited to practitioner-guided use and label-supported support contexts.
DGL	Deglycyrrhizinated licorice has most glycyrrhizin removed and is commonly used for digestive comfort.	Useful when the goal is digestive support without standard licorice’s glycyrrhizin profile.
Combination formulas	Licorice may be paired with herbs such as marshmallow, slippery elm, aloe, rehmannia or adrenal herbs.	Suitability depends on the full formula, not licorice alone.

The soothing layer

Digestive and respiratory support

Licorice is often discussed around soothing tissues, but the wording should stay within support language.

Digestive comfort

Licorice and DGL products may support digestive comfort and healthy mucous membranes where labelled.

Gut lining context

DGL formulas often combine licorice with herbs such as aloe, slippery elm and marshmallow root.

Reflux caution

Do not position licorice as treating reflux, ulcers or gastritis. Persistent symptoms need proper review.

Throat comfort

Licorice appears in traditional throat and respiratory formulas where label directions support that use.

Respiratory support

Use traditional respiratory support wording rather than claiming licorice clears bronchitis or treats coughs.

Not disease treatment

Licorice should not be positioned as treating ulcers, infections, bronchitis, asthma or chronic gut disease.

The resilience layer

Adrenal and stress context

Licorice appears in adrenal formulas, but this is where overclaiming can get out of hand very quickly.

Licorice is included in some adrenal and stress support formulas, often alongside herbs such as rehmannia, ashwagandha or other traditional resilience herbs. This does not mean licorice should be sold as fixing cortisol, adrenal fatigue or burnout.

Stress, fatigue and low resilience can be affected by sleep, diet, workload, illness, thyroid function, iron status, blood pressure, mental health, medications and many other factors. A herb can support a plan, but it should not pretend to be the whole plan.

The careful wording is “supports adrenal gland health where labelled,” “used in stress support formulas,” or “supports resilience in practitioner-guided herbal formulas.”

Good fit

Practitioner-style adrenal formulas where licorice is part of a broader support strategy.

Use with care

Blood pressure, potassium, fluid retention, kidney, heart and medicine concerns need extra caution.

Not enough

Severe fatigue, dizziness, fainting, chest symptoms or unexplained weakness need proper medical review.

The claim-control layer

What not to overclaim

Licorice pages can easily become risky if they talk like the herb treats everything from ulcers to adrenal fatigue.

Old-style claim	Problem	Safer GhamaHealth wording
“Heals ulcers”	Disease-treatment language and unsafe for persistent digestive symptoms.	Supports digestive comfort and healthy mucous membranes where labelled.
“Regulates cortisol”	Hormone-adjacent and too strong for a general herb page.	Supports adrenal health or stress support formulas where labelled.
“Boosts immunity”	Too broad and can imply infection protection.	Supports general wellbeing or immune support context where labelled.
“Safe for daily use”	Wrong for standard licorice because safety depends on dose, duration and health status.	Use only as directed; seek advice with blood pressure, kidney, heart or medicine concerns.

The form layer

Liquids, DGL, tablets and formulas

The best licorice choice depends on the goal: digestive comfort, respiratory support, adrenal formulas or general herbal support.

Standard liquid licorice

Used in traditional herbal formulas for digestive, respiratory and adrenal support where labelled.

High-grade licorice

More targeted practitioner-style option where stronger herbal activity may be intended.

DGL products

Designed for digestive comfort and gut lining support without standard licorice’s full glycyrrhizin profile.

Adrenal formulas

Licorice may appear with other herbs, but suitability depends on the full formula and customer health context.

The safety layer

Suitability and safety

Licorice root needs stronger safety wording than many other herbs. This is not optional.

Blood pressure

Standard licorice may not suit people with high blood pressure or those prone to fluid retention.

Potassium balance

High-dose or prolonged standard licorice may contribute to low potassium in susceptible people.

Kidney and heart concerns

Seek advice with kidney disease, heart disease, oedema, arrhythmia history or cardiovascular risk factors.

Medicine interactions

Use caution with diuretics, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids, digoxin and other regular medicines.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Seek professional advice before using licorice supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

DGL distinction

DGL is different from standard licorice, but product directions and individual suitability still matter.

Safety-first note

Licorice root is useful, but standard licorice can affect blood pressure, potassium and fluid balance. Medicine use, kidney concerns, heart concerns, pregnancy and prolonged use all change the conversation.

Useful next step

FAQs + Checklist

Use these quick answers when comparing standard licorice, high-grade licorice, DGL products, adrenal formulas and safety considerations.

What is licorice root used for in supplements?

Licorice root is commonly used in digestive, respiratory and adrenal support formulas where labelled. DGL products are usually focused on digestive comfort and gut lining support.

What is the difference between licorice and DGL?

DGL means deglycyrrhizinated licorice. It has most glycyrrhizin removed and is commonly used in digestive comfort formulas. Standard licorice contains glycyrrhizin and has stronger blood pressure and potassium cautions.

Can licorice root help reflux or ulcers?

Licorice should not be presented as treating reflux, ulcers or gastritis. Some DGL formulas support digestive comfort and healthy mucous membranes where labelled. Persistent symptoms need medical review.

Can licorice support adrenal health?

Some products use licorice in adrenal support formulas. It should not be described as fixing cortisol, adrenal fatigue or burnout. Suitability depends on health status and medicines.

Who should avoid or use extra caution?

Use extra caution with high blood pressure, low potassium, kidney disease, heart disease, fluid retention, pregnancy, breastfeeding, diuretics, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids, digoxin or regular medicines.

Is licorice root safe for daily use?

Not automatically. Safety depends on the form, dose, duration, glycyrrhizin content and individual health context. Standard licorice should not be used casually long term without advice.

Bottom line

Licorice root is useful, but it needs respect

Licorice root has a strong place in traditional herbal use and modern supplement formulas. It is relevant for digestive comfort, respiratory support, adrenal formulas and gut lining support when used in the right product context.

The weak point in many licorice pages is overclaiming. Licorice should not be sold as an ulcer treatment, reflux cure, bronchitis remedy, infection fighter, cortisol regulator or adrenal fatigue fix. That language can mislead customers and create safety issues.

For GhamaHealth, the strongest version is practical and trustworthy: clear separation between standard licorice and DGL, product-page-only Related Products, careful wording, and strong cautions around blood pressure, potassium, kidneys, heart health, pregnancy, breastfeeding and medicines.

Important Information

Health Disclaimer and References

General information only

This page is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used to diagnose or treat ulcers, reflux, gastritis, bronchitis, infections, adrenal fatigue, cortisol problems, immune disorders, kidney disease, heart disease or any health condition.

Blood pressure, potassium and fluid retention caution

Standard licorice may affect blood pressure, potassium and fluid balance in susceptible people, especially with high-dose or prolonged use. Seek professional advice if you have high blood pressure, low potassium, fluid retention, kidney disease or heart concerns.

Medication caution

Seek professional advice before using standard licorice with diuretics, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids, digoxin, heart medicines, hormonal medicines, laxatives or other regular medications.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children

Seek professional advice before using licorice supplements during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children. Food-like exposure and concentrated herbal products are different.

DGL is different from standard licorice

DGL has most glycyrrhizin removed and is commonly used in digestive comfort products. This does not mean every DGL product suits every person. Always read the label and check suitability if symptoms are persistent or medicines are involved.

When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice for chest pain, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, fainting, swelling, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure symptoms, black stools, vomiting blood, persistent reflux, severe abdominal pain, ongoing cough or symptoms that are severe, unusual or worsening.

Product information may change

Product ingredients, doses, warnings, directions and availability may change over time. Check the individual product page and packaging before purchase or use.

GhamaHealth disclaimer

For more details, read our Health Disclaimer & Liability Notice.

References

GhamaHealth. MediHerb Licorice 1:1 500ml . Product information and label context for respiratory, digestive and adrenal support.
GhamaHealth. MediHerb Licorice High Grade 1:1 500ml . Product information for high-grade licorice liquid extract.
GhamaHealth. Pure Encapsulations DGL Plus . Product information for DGL, aloe vera, slippery elm and marshmallow root digestive support formula.
GhamaHealth. MediHerb Adrenal Complex . Product information for adrenal support formula containing licorice root and rehmannia.
NCCIH. Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety . General evidence, interaction and safety context.
Isbrucker, R. A., & Burdock, G. A. (2006). Risk and safety assessment on the consumption of licorice root extract . Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.
Armanini, D., et al. (2002). History of the endocrine effects of licorice . Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes.
GhamaHealth. Health Disclaimer & Liability Notice . GhamaHealth’s general information and supplement suitability notice.

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