Licorice root has genuine stomach-protective properties backed by clinical research. It boosts mucus production in the stomach lining, helps heal ulcers, and can relieve symptoms of indigestion and acid reflux. The catch is that regular licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin that can raise blood pressure and deplete potassium, so most stomach-related use centers on a modified form called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) that strips out that problematic compound.
How Licorice Protects the Stomach Lining
Your stomach is lined with a layer of mucus that shields the tissue underneath from its own acid. Licorice works primarily by strengthening that barrier. Compounds in licorice, particularly its flavonoids, stimulate the stomach’s surface cells to produce more of the protective mucus proteins that coat the lining. They also trigger a cell-signaling process that promotes the regeneration of mucus-producing cells themselves, so the effect isn’t just a temporary coating but an actual repair of damaged tissue.
Beyond mucus production, licorice reduces inflammation in the stomach wall and supports the growth of new blood vessels in damaged areas, which speeds healing. It also shifts the balance of gut bacteria in ways that increase short-chain fatty acid production, and those fatty acids further boost mucus secretion. This layered mechanism is why licorice has been used in traditional medicine systems for centuries and why modern researchers keep finding measurable effects in clinical trials.
Relief for Indigestion and Bloating
Functional dyspepsia, the medical term for chronic indigestion without an obvious structural cause, is one of the best-studied uses of licorice. In a randomized, double-blind trial, patients taking a standardized licorice extract (sold as GutGard) showed significant improvement in their symptom scores compared to placebo. By day 15, symptoms like upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and early fullness had already dropped meaningfully. By day 30, the improvement nearly doubled, with dyspepsia index scores falling by about 19.5 points from baseline.
That timeline matters if you’re considering trying it. You’re not likely to feel a dramatic change on day one, but within two weeks most people in the studies reported noticeable relief, with continued improvement over the following weeks.
Acid Reflux and Heartburn
For people dealing with heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), DGL licorice shows promise as well. A phase III clinical trial of 200 participants found that a deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract significantly improved quality of life and resolved heartburn and regurgitation symptoms over 28 days, with improvements starting as early as day 7. In a separate two-year observational study of 58 GERD patients, DGL actually outperformed antacids for symptom control.
This doesn’t mean licorice replaces prescription reflux medications for everyone. But for mild to moderate heartburn, or as a complement to other treatments, the evidence suggests it’s more than a folk remedy.
Ulcers and H. Pylori Infection
Licorice has a long history as an ulcer treatment, and clinical data supports the connection. In one study comparing standard ulcer therapy (which included bismuth) to the same regimen with licorice substituted for bismuth, the licorice group achieved 95% ulcer healing and a 70% reduction in H. pylori infection based on tissue analysis. Pain reduction occurred in 80% of patients in the licorice group. Researchers concluded that licorice could serve as a viable replacement in standard treatment protocols, particularly in settings where other medications aren’t available, given its low cost and minimal side effects.
In head-to-head comparisons, DGL at 760 mg three times daily between meals has been tested against conventional acid-blocking medications. While it doesn’t always match the most powerful prescription drugs, it consistently performs better than placebo and holds its own against older over-the-counter options. Most ulcer studies run for four to eight weeks, with some extending to 16 weeks for more severe cases.
DGL vs. Regular Licorice: Why It Matters
This is the most important distinction for anyone considering licorice for stomach issues. Regular licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which mimics a hormone that causes your body to retain sodium and lose potassium. The result can be high blood pressure, low potassium levels, swelling, and in severe cases, heart rhythm problems. What makes this particularly tricky is that the enzyme glycyrrhizin suppresses can stay inhibited for two weeks after you stop taking licorice, and the effects on your hormonal system can linger for several months.
DGL has the glycyrrhizin removed, which eliminates these cardiovascular risks while preserving the stomach-protective benefits. For everyday stomach use, DGL is the form you want. It’s widely available as chewable tablets and capsules.
Dosage and Timing
Clinical trials have used a range of doses, but the most common protocols look like this:
- DGL tablets: 760 mg three times daily, taken between meals
- Powdered licorice root: 1 to 2 grams three times daily
- Solid (dry powdered) extract (4:1 concentration): 250 to 500 mg three times daily
Taking DGL between meals or about 20 to 30 minutes before eating is the most common approach in the research. The idea is to let the extract coat and interact with the stomach lining before food arrives. Most studies showing clear benefits ran for at least 15 to 30 days, so give it a few weeks before deciding whether it’s working.
Who Should Avoid Licorice
Even with DGL being the safer option, regular licorice root or licorice-containing supplements pose real risks for certain people. If you take diuretics (water pills), you should avoid regular licorice entirely because both deplete potassium, and the combined effect can become dangerous. The same applies if you take fludrocortisone or any medication that affects potassium levels. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease are also at higher risk from glycyrrhizin’s effects.
Pregnant women should avoid licorice root in medicinal doses. And if you enjoy licorice candy, keep in mind that some brands use real licorice extract rather than anise flavoring. Eating it occasionally is unlikely to cause problems, but daily consumption of real licorice candy over weeks or months can trigger the same blood pressure and potassium issues seen with supplements.