Black licorice root has a genuine track record as a stomach remedy, but the answer depends on what form you’re using. The candy aisle version and the medicinal extract work very differently in your body, and one carries real risks the other doesn’t. Here’s what the evidence actually shows.
How Licorice Helps Your Stomach Lining
Licorice root contains compounds that directly support the protective barrier inside your stomach. The key mechanism involves mucus production: licorice stimulates the cells lining your stomach to produce more mucus and accelerates the development of new mucus-secreting cells. This thicker mucus layer acts as a shield between your stomach wall and the acid that breaks down food, which is exactly what you need if you’re dealing with irritation, ulcers, or acid reflux.
The flavonoids in licorice root are responsible for most of this protective effect. They don’t just coat the surface temporarily the way an antacid does. They promote actual cell turnover and glandular development in the stomach lining, creating a more resilient environment over time.
DGL vs. Regular Licorice: A Critical Difference
Standard licorice root contains 6% to 10% glycyrrhizin, the compound that gives it that distinctive sweet flavor. Glycyrrhizin is also the compound responsible for licorice’s side effects, which can be serious (more on that below). For stomach issues specifically, most practitioners recommend a processed form called deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, which has the glycyrrhizin removed.
DGL retains the flavonoids that do the actual stomach-healing work while eliminating the ingredient that causes problems with blood pressure and potassium levels. It’s been used for decades in the treatment of peptic ulcers and mouth ulcers. If you’re browsing the supplement aisle for stomach support, DGL chewable tablets are the form you’ll most commonly find, and they’re the safer choice for regular use.
Evidence for Specific Stomach Problems
Peptic Ulcers
Licorice has shown the ability to fight the bacterium H. pylori, which causes most stomach ulcers. In a double-blind clinical trial of 60 patients with peptic ulcer disease, researchers tested licorice as a replacement for bismuth (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) within a standard four-drug treatment regimen. The licorice group saw a 67% eradication rate for H. pylori, compared to 57% in the bismuth group. That difference wasn’t statistically significant, which actually makes the point: licorice performed just as well as the conventional option. The study concluded that licorice could serve as a safe alternative for patients who can’t take bismuth.
Lab studies have separately confirmed that licorice compounds can inhibit H. pylori growth directly, suggesting it may also help prevent ulcers from forming in the first place.
Indigestion and Bloating
Functional dyspepsia, the clinical term for chronic indigestion without a clear structural cause, is one of the more common reasons people search for stomach remedies. A meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized clinical trials found that a polyherbal combination containing licorice as a key ingredient produced substantial improvement in dyspepsia symptoms compared to placebo. The evidence is strongest for licorice as part of a blend rather than on its own for this particular condition, but its mucus-boosting and motility-supporting properties make it a logical ingredient for digestive discomfort.
Acid Reflux
Because DGL strengthens the mucus barrier in the upper digestive tract, it may offer some relief for acid reflux symptoms. The logic is straightforward: a thicker mucus layer means your esophagus and stomach are better protected when acid splashes where it shouldn’t. This isn’t a replacement for addressing the root cause of reflux, but some people find DGL chewable tablets helpful as a complement to other strategies like dietary changes or elevating the head of the bed.
The Risks of Black Licorice Candy
Here’s where the story takes a turn. Black licorice candy, the kind you’d buy at a store, contains glycyrrhizin. This compound blocks an enzyme in your kidneys that normally keeps cortisol in check. When that enzyme is suppressed, your body retains too much sodium and dumps too much potassium, a condition called pseudoaldosteronism. The result can be dangerously high blood pressure, low potassium levels, and irregular heart rhythms.
The FDA specifically warns that people over 40 who eat just 2 ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks or more could develop an irregular heartbeat serious enough to require hospitalization. That’s not a large amount: roughly five or six pieces of candy per day, depending on the brand. The risk is highest for people with existing heart disease or high blood pressure, but it’s not limited to them. Research has shown that as little as 75 milligrams of glycyrrhizin per day for two weeks can raise blood pressure. One case report documented severe potassium depletion in a patient taking herbal medicine that provided 320 milligrams of glycyrrhizin daily over two years.
It’s worth noting that many “licorice-flavored” candies sold in the U.S. use anise flavoring instead of real licorice root. These don’t carry the same risks. Check the ingredients list: if it contains licorice extract or glycyrrhizin, the warnings apply.
Medication Interactions to Know About
Glycyrrhizin-containing licorice can interact with several common medications. It may reduce the effectiveness of the blood thinner warfarin and amplify the effects of digoxin, a heart medication. Because licorice lowers potassium levels, taking it alongside diuretics (water pills) that also deplete potassium creates a compounding risk. If you take any heart or blood pressure medications, standard licorice root supplements are not a good fit. DGL, with the glycyrrhizin removed, avoids these interactions.
How to Use Licorice for Stomach Issues
For digestive support, DGL is the practical choice. It comes as chewable tablets, typically taken before meals. Chewing matters because mixing DGL with saliva appears to activate its compounds more effectively. Most products provide 380 to 400 milligrams per tablet. Because the glycyrrhizin has been removed, DGL doesn’t carry the blood pressure or potassium concerns that regular licorice does, making it safe for longer-term use.
If you prefer licorice root tea or whole-root supplements for occasional stomach soothing, keeping your intake modest and short-term minimizes risk. The problems documented in research consistently involve daily use over weeks or months, not the occasional cup of licorice tea after a heavy meal.