SyneraBotanica
Materia Medica

Fabaceae

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

The great harmonizer: a sweet, soothing root that supports adrenal tone, calms irritated mucosa and binds formulas together — potent enough to demand respect.

Also known as
Sweet root, Gan cao
Parts used
Root
Taste
Sweet
Energetics
Neutral to cooling · Moistening
Sourcing
Cultivated & wild

Actions

Adrenal tonicDemulcentExpectorantAnti-inflammatoryAntiviral

Traditional use

In Chinese medicine gan cao appears in more classical formulas than any other herb, where it 'harmonizes the actions of all herbs' and moderates harsh ingredients.

European herbalists used it for coughs, sore throats and gastric ulcers; it was found in Tutankhamun's tomb.

Research

  • Raises effective cortisol via 11β-HSD2 inhibition

    Clinical

    Well-documented pharmacology — and the reason high doses cause pseudoaldosteronism (sodium retention, low potassium, raised blood pressure).

    Omar HR et al. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2012;3(4):125–138.

  • Gut bacteria activate glycyrrhizin

    Clinical

    Glycyrrhizin is poorly absorbed; intestinal bacteria hydrolyze it to glycyrrhetinic acid, the systemically active form.

Key constituents

Glycyrrhizin
Triterpene saponin 50× sweeter than sugar; inhibits 11β-HSD2, prolonging cortisol action.
Liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin
Flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity.
Glabridin
Isoflavan concentrated in G. glabra; antioxidant.

Sourcing notes

Much commercial licorice is wild-harvested in Central Asia. Prefer certified organic cultivated root.

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