Supplement

Licorice

Licorice is a root whose glycyrrhizin makes the body hold on to more sodium, which nudges blood pressure upward. People mostly look at it for low blood pressure on standing, though the evidence is limited, with about 150 participants studied. Other small studies found LDL oxidation improved in 19 people, while cortisol changed in an unclear direction and estrogen showed no clear difference.

Sources: PMID 19651803; PMID 12574791; PMID 16462145

Updated 30 September 2026
How we grade
15 studies cited

Best evidence: Grade C
Conditions studied: 12
Outcomes: 53
Graded outcomes: 0024

Evidence by condition

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

12 conditions

Hormone Health

Hormone Health: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Cortisol Small Increase	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	2 studies	22 people
Studies that measured cortisol Subjects with essential hypertension are more sensitive to the inhibition of 11 beta-HSD by liquoriceJ Hum Hypertens · PMID 12574791 Liquorice and glycyrrhetinic acid increase DHEA and deoxycorticosterone levels in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting adrenal SULT2A1 activityMol Cell Endocrinol · PMID 21184804
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		4 studies	61 people
Studies that measured testosterone Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy manExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 14520600 Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrationsLancet · PMID 11716893 Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licoriceN Engl J Med · PMID 10515764 Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 16513152
	Estrogen	Changes; see studies		1 study	36 people
Studies that measured estrogen Liquorice in moderate doses does not affect sex steroid hormones of biological importance although the effect differs between the gendersHorm Res · PMID 16462145
	Luteinizing Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	61 people
Studies that measured luteinizing hormone Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 15579328
	Follicle-Stimulating Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people
	Prolactin	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people
	Serum DHEA	Improves (the measure goes up)			22 people
	Sex Hormone Binding Globulin	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people

Metabolic Health

Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	LDL Oxidation Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	1 study	19 people
Studies that measured ldl oxidation Antioxidant effect of polyphenolic glabridin on LDL oxidationToxicol Ind Health · PMID 19651803
	Estrogen No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	9 people
Studies that measured estrogen Liquorice in moderate doses does not affect sex steroid hormones of biological importance although the effect differs between the gendersHorm Res · PMID 16462145
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		4 studies	33 people
Studies that measured testosterone Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy manExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 14520600 Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrationsLancet · PMID 11716893 Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licoriceN Engl J Med · PMID 10515764 Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 16513152
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	19 people
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers Licorice extract and its major polyphenol glabridin protect low-density lipoprotein against lipid peroxidation: in vitro and ex vivo studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient miceAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 9250104
	Parathyroid Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)			9 people

Sexual Health

Luteinizing Hormone
Testosterone: improves

Sexual Health: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Luteinizing Hormone No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	25 people
Studies that measured luteinizing hormone Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 15579328
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		4 studies	25 people
Studies that measured testosterone Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy manExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 14520600 Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrationsLancet · PMID 11716893 Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licoriceN Engl J Med · PMID 10515764 Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 16513152

Obesity

Adiponectin
Body Fat: improves
Glycemic Control: improves

Obesity: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Adiponectin No effect		NoneNo effect		44 people
	Body Fat	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	44 people
Studies that measured body fat A dual investigation of the effect of dietary supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil on anthropometric and biochemical markers of health and adiposityLipids Health Dis · PMID 21310080
	Glycemic Control	Improves (the measure goes up)			44 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			44 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			44 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people
	Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)			44 people
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people

Weight Loss & Maintenance

Adiponectin
Body Fat: improves
Glycemic Control: improves

Weight Loss & Maintenance: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Adiponectin No effect		NoneNo effect		44 people
	Body Fat	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	44 people
Studies that measured body fat A dual investigation of the effect of dietary supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil on anthropometric and biochemical markers of health and adiposityLipids Health Dis · PMID 21310080
	Glycemic Control	Improves (the measure goes up)			44 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			44 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			44 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people
	Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)			44 people
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)			44 people

High Blood Pressure

Testosterone: improves
Cortisol: improves
Blood Pressure: worsens

High Blood Pressure: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		4 studies	36 people
Studies that measured testosterone Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy manExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 14520600 Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrationsLancet · PMID 11716893 Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licoriceN Engl J Med · PMID 10515764 Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 16513152
	Cortisol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	25 people
Studies that measured cortisol Subjects with essential hypertension are more sensitive to the inhibition of 11 beta-HSD by liquoriceJ Hum Hypertens · PMID 12574791 Liquorice and glycyrrhetinic acid increase DHEA and deoxycorticosterone levels in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting adrenal SULT2A1 activityMol Cell Endocrinol · PMID 21184804
	Blood Pressure Moderate Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	1 study	25 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Effects of Licorice Functional Components Intakes on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and NETWORK Toxicology.Nutrients · PMID 39519602
	Estrogen	Changes; see studies		1 study	36 people
Studies that measured estrogen Liquorice in moderate doses does not affect sex steroid hormones of biological importance although the effect differs between the gendersHorm Res · PMID 16462145
	Luteinizing Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	36 people
Studies that measured luteinizing hormone Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 15579328
	Prolactin	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people
	Sex Hormone Binding Globulin	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people

Low Testosterone

Testosterone: improves
Cortisol: improves
Blood Pressure: worsens

Low Testosterone: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		4 studies	9 people
Studies that measured testosterone Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy manExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 14520600 Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrationsLancet · PMID 11716893 Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licoriceN Engl J Med · PMID 10515764 Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 16513152
	Cortisol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	9 people
Studies that measured cortisol Subjects with essential hypertension are more sensitive to the inhibition of 11 beta-HSD by liquoriceJ Hum Hypertens · PMID 12574791 Liquorice and glycyrrhetinic acid increase DHEA and deoxycorticosterone levels in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting adrenal SULT2A1 activityMol Cell Endocrinol · PMID 21184804
	Blood Pressure Moderate Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	1 study	9 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Effects of Licorice Functional Components Intakes on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and NETWORK Toxicology.Nutrients · PMID 39519602
	Luteinizing Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	9 people
Studies that measured luteinizing hormone Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 15579328

General Cardiovascular Health

Blood Pressure: worsens
LDL Oxidation: improves
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: improves

General Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood Pressure Moderate Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	1 study	137 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Effects of Licorice Functional Components Intakes on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and NETWORK Toxicology.Nutrients · PMID 39519602
	LDL Oxidation	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	10 people
Studies that measured ldl oxidation Antioxidant effect of polyphenolic glabridin on LDL oxidationToxicol Ind Health · PMID 19651803
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	10 people
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers Licorice extract and its major polyphenol glabridin protect low-density lipoprotein against lipid peroxidation: in vitro and ex vivo studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient miceAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 9250104

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Body Mass Index (BMI): improves

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Body Mass Index (BMI)	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	66 people
Studies that measured body mass index (bmi) Effects of licorice extract in combination with a low-calorie diet on obesity indices, glycemic indices, and lipid profiles in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.J Ovarian Res · PMID 39080737

Canker Sores

Canker Sores Symptoms: improves

Canker Sores: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Canker Sores Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	46 people
Studies that measured canker sores symptoms A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning glycyrrhiza (licorice) herbal extract for the treatment of aphthous ulcersGen Dent · PMID 18348383

Sore Throat

Sore Throat Symptoms: improves

Sore Throat: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Sore Throat Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	619 people
Studies that measured sore throat symptoms Comparative Efficacy of 6 Topical Pharmacological Agents for Preventive Interventions of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.Anesth Analg · PMID 33886521

Surgical Recovery

Sore Throat Symptoms: improves

Surgical Recovery: outcomes studied for Licorice
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Sore Throat Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	619 people
Studies that measured sore throat symptoms Comparative Efficacy of 6 Topical Pharmacological Agents for Preventive Interventions of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.Anesth Analg · PMID 33886521

Key findings

CortisolHormone HealthImproves (the measure goes down)
LDL OxidationMetabolic HealthImproves (the measure goes down)
EstrogenMetabolic Health

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Third-party tested Licorice products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

Grade C

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Studies cited

15 studies from PubMed

Subjects with essential hypertension are more sensitive to the inhibition of 11 beta-HSD by liquoriceJ Hum Hypertens · PMID 12574791
Liquorice in moderate doses does not affect sex steroid hormones of biological importance although the effect differs between the gendersHorm Res · PMID 16462145
A dual investigation of the effect of dietary supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil on anthropometric and biochemical markers of health and adiposityLipids Health Dis · PMID 21310080
Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy manExp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · PMID 14520600
Liquorice and glycyrrhetinic acid increase DHEA and deoxycorticosterone levels in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting adrenal SULT2A1 activityMol Cell Endocrinol · PMID 21184804
Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrationsLancet · PMID 11716893
Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licoriceN Engl J Med · PMID 10515764
Effect of licorice on PTH levels in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 16513152
Antioxidant effect of polyphenolic glabridin on LDL oxidationToxicol Ind Health · PMID 19651803
A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning glycyrrhiza (licorice) herbal extract for the treatment of aphthous ulcersGen Dent · PMID 18348383
Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy womenSteroids · PMID 15579328
Licorice extract and its major polyphenol glabridin protect low-density lipoprotein against lipid peroxidation: in vitro and ex vivo studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient miceAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 9250104
Effects of Licorice Functional Components Intakes on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and NETWORK Toxicology.Nutrients · PMID 39519602
Comparative Efficacy of 6 Topical Pharmacological Agents for Preventive Interventions of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.Anesth Analg · PMID 33886521
Effects of licorice extract in combination with a low-calorie diet on obesity indices, glycemic indices, and lipid profiles in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.J Ovarian Res · PMID 39080737

Evidence by condition

General Cardiovascular Health

Key findings

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Studies cited

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