What is dgl licorice used for

Glabrene and isoliquiritigenin may serve as candidates for skin-lightening agents. The dosage of licorice for most clinical applications is based on the content of glycyrrhetinic acid. The exception is in the treatment of peptic ulcer. In this application, DGL is preferred, as it produces equally effective results compared with glycyrrhetinic acid but is free from any side effects.

In general, the following doses three times a day are safe and effective in raising glycyrrhetinic acid levels:. In the treatment of AIDS, pure glycyrrhetinic acid products or extracts standardized for glycyrrhetinic acid are recommended. To be effective in healing peptic ulcers, it appears that DGL must mix with saliva.

DGL may promote the release of salivary compounds, which stimulate the growth and regeneration of stomach and intestinal cells. DGL in capsule form has not been shown to be effective. The standard dosage for DGL is two to four mg chewable tablets between or 20 minutes before meals. Taking DGL after meals is associated with poor results. The main hazards of licorice administration are due to the aldosterone-like effects of glycyrrhetinic acid. The maximal effect on blood pressure with long-term ingestion is observed after 2 weeks of use.

Prevention of the side effects of glycyrrhizin may be possible by following a high-potassium, low-sodium diet. Although no formal trial has been performed, patients who normally consume high-potassium foods and restrict sodium intake, even those with high blood pressure and angina, have been reported to be free from the aldosterone-like side effects of glycyrrhizin.

Licorice should probably not be used in patients with a history of hypertension or renal failure or in those who currently use digitalis preparations. Licorice preparations containing glycyrrhizin may reduce serum and salivary testosterone levels in men.

Licorice intake during pregnancy is generally regarded as safe, unless hypertension becomes an issue. There was one detailed study on maternal consumption of glycyrrhizin and how it affected birth weight. Birth weight and gestational age from ultrasound measurements were obtained from hospital records. Babies with heavy exposure to glycyrrhizin were not significantly lighter at birth, but they were significantly more likely to be born earlier—2. No other associations could be made.

No significant reports of drug interactions have appeared, although on theoretical grounds, licorice components have shown considerable interactions with various enzyme systems. Licorice root extract and purified glabridin were shown to inhibit P 3A4, a major human drug metabolizing P enzyme, in time- and concentration-dependent manners, thereby potentiating the action of many drugs. Also, individuals using oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin need to monitor blood sugar levels closely when using glycyrrhiza.

Glycyrrhetinic acid can reduce the prevalence of side effects related to the diuretic activity of spironolactone. In a study of 32 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, women who received 3. The prevalence of metrorrhagia was also lower with the combined therapy. See www. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Textbook of Natural Medicine.

Published online Jul Michael T. Murray , ND. Guest Editor s : Joseph E. Guest Editor s : Michael T. Murray Natural Living, Inc. Copyright and License information Disclaimer. All rights reserved. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVIDrelated research that is available on the COVID resource centre - including this research content - immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source.

Glycyrrhiza glabra family: Leguminosae Common names: licorice, glycyrrhiza. General Description Glycyrrhiza glabra is a perennial, temperate-zone herb or subshrub, 3 to 7 feet high, with a long, cylindrical, branched, flexible, and burrowing rootstock with runners Fig.

Open in a separate window. History and Folk Use The medicinal use of licorice in both Western and Eastern cultures dates back several thousand years.

Estrogenic Activity Most herbalists generally believe that glycyrrhiza exhibits alterative action on estrogen metabolism i. Pseudoaldosterone Activity Long-term ingestion of glycyrrhiza in large doses leads to a well-documented pseudoaldosteronism syndrome i.

Anti-inflammatory and Antiallergic Activity Glycyrrhiza has significant anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity. Immunostimulatory and Antiviral Effects Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid were shown to induce interferon. Anticancer Effects Licorice components exert a wide range of anticancer effects. Antibacterial Activity Alcohol extracts of glycyrrhiza displayed antimicrobial activity in vitro against Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus including antibiotic resistant strains , Streptococcus mutans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Bacillus subtilis, S.

Antihepatotoxic Activity Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits carbon tetrachloride and galactosamine-induced liver damage. Memory-Enhancing Effect Licorice may exert some memory-enhancing effects.

Antinephritic Activity Glabridin, an isoflavan isolated from G. Clinical Applications Licorice is a component of more traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal formulas than any other herb and has been commonly used in Western natural medicine and herbalism for centuries.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Although glycyrrhetinic acid was the first drug proven to promote healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers, 43 most physicians using licorice in the treatment of peptic ulcers now use DGL. Gastric Ulcers Numerous clinical studies over the years found DGL to be an effective antiulcer compound.

Duodenal Ulcers DGL is also effective in duodenal ulcers. Aphthous Ulcers Recurrent aphthous stomatitis canker sores is a common problem. Oral Licorice Preparations Containing Glycyrrhizin The most popular use of oral licorice preparations containing glycyrrhizin is in the treatment of viral illnesses, particularly the common cold.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria This disorder of heme biosynthesis is characterized by recurrent attacks of neurological and psychiatric dysfunction. Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Preparations containing glycyrrhetinic acid may be effective in reducing various issues related to syndrome X or metabolic syndrome. Can active components of licorice, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, lick rheumatoid arthritis?

Sweetening Agent Because glycyrrhizin is 50 to times sweeter than sucrose, licorice can be used as a sweetening or flavoring agent to mask the bitter taste of other medications. Topical Applications Eczema and Psoriasis Glycyrrhetinic acid exerts an effect similar to that of topical hydrocortisone in the treatment of eczema, contact and allergic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Herpes Simplex Clinical studies showed topical glycyrrhetinic acid and derivatives to be quite helpful in reducing the healing time and pain associated with cold sores and genital herpes.

Melasma Two components, glabrene and isoliquiritigenin, can inhibit tyrosinase—a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. Dosage The dosage of licorice for most clinical applications is based on the content of glycyrrhetinic acid. Dosage Instructions for Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice To be effective in healing peptic ulcers, it appears that DGL must mix with saliva.

Toxicology The main hazards of licorice administration are due to the aldosterone-like effects of glycyrrhetinic acid. Drug Interactions No significant reports of drug interactions have appeared, although on theoretical grounds, licorice components have shown considerable interactions with various enzyme systems.

References See www. References 1. Hattori M. Metabolism of glycyrrhizin by human intestinal flora. Planta Med. Yamamoto K. Gastric cytoprotective anti-ulcerogenic actions of hydroxychalcones in rats. Chandler R. Licorice, more than just a flavour. Can Pharm J. Kumagai A. Effect of glycyrrhizin on estrogen action. Endocrinol Jpn. Kraus S. The anti-estrogenic action of beta-glycyrrhetinic acid.

Exp Med Surg. Tamir S. Estrogen-like activity of glabrene and other constituents isolated from licorice root. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. Maggiolini M. Estrogenic and antiproliferative activities of isoliquiritigenin in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Farese R. Licorice-induced hypermineralocorticoidism. N Engl J Med. Stormer F. Glycyrrhizic acid in liqourice—evaluation of health hazard.

Food Chem Toxicol. Takeda R. Prolonged pseudoaldosteronism induced by glycyrrhizin. Baron J. Side-effects of carbenoxolone. Acta Gastroenterol Belg. Epstein M. Effect of eating liquorice on the renin-angiotensin aldosterone axis in normal subjects. Armanini D. Affinity of liquorice derivatives for mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. Clin Endocrinol Oxf ; 19 — Tamura Y. Effects of glycyrrhetinic acid and its derivatives on delta alpha- and 5 beta-reductase in rat liver.

Kuroyanagi T. Effect of prednisolone and glycyrrhizin on passive transfer of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Cyong J. If you are on any supplements or medications on a daily basis, you should always have regular blood work done to monitor your liver and kidney functioning. If you think that you are having any issues, whether it is hypertension or swelling in ankles, you may want to consider coming off the DGL and see if the symptoms improve.

You should also see your doctor for a full physical evaluation and discussion about your supplement and medication regimen if you should at any point have any concerns about new or worsening symptoms. It's safe to say that I am a huge fan of supplements as alternative options for medications when the safety profile is more favorable.

So when you do have an ailment such as fatigue or stomach upset, DGL is a great option. But as with anything you ingest on a daily basis, natural, common-sense precautions should be taken.

So make sure you are checking your blood pressure and blood work regularly, and make sure to keep your doctor in the loop about any new supplements or medications you are taking. In my clinic, I teach my patients to use common sense with their health more so than anything else. In the end, being overly cautious is always better than not being cautious enough.

While the safety profile and effectiveness of DGL in treating stomach ulcers, heartburn or gastritis is similar -- if not better -- than over-the-counter strong medications and it is one of my favorites to use in my patients with no major issues in usage , continue to use common sense when starting a new supplement, whether it be DGL or something else. For more by Julie Chen, M. People believe that using this a few times per day will alleviate acid reflux symptoms.

Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter LES fails to close completely. The LES seals food, and acid that breaks down food, in the stomach. This can cause a burning sensation.

DGL is a form of licorice that people have processed for safer consumption. They remove a substantial amount of a substance called glycyrrhizin. This makes DGL safer for long-term use and has less interactions with medical conditions or medications than licorice extract. Most licorice comes from Asia, Turkey, and Greece. You can find DGL in several forms, most frequently in tablets or capsules. Traditionally, women have used licorice root extract to balance their hormones during menstruation and menopause.

Today, licorice is present in some home remedies. People believe licorice eases a sore throat, treats ulcers, and helps clear respiratory infections such as bronchitis. Licorice root may even treat viral infections, such as hepatitis. Clinical trials have found that an injectable form of licorice extract has shown effects against hepatitis C that are beneficial.

More research is needed to determine whether this is a viable treatment option. According to a study , DGL was shown to promote mucus activity. This extra mucus may act as a barrier to acid in the stomach and esophagus. The standard licorice containing glycyrrhizin should be used for respiratory infections, chronic fatigue syndrome or herpes topical.

Licorice root in capsules, 5—6 grams per day, can be used. Concentrated extracts, — mg three times per day, are another option. Long-term internal use more than two to three weeks of high amounts over 10 grams per day of glycyrrhizin-containing products should be attempted only under the supervision of a doctor. Licorice creams or gels can be applied directly to herpes sores three to four times per day. DGL is prepared without the glycyrrhizin in order to circumvent potential safety problems see below , and is used for conditions of the digestive tract, such as ulcers.

For best results, one — mg tablet is chewed three times per day before meals and before bed. This may be repeated three or four times per day. The flavonoids found in the extract of licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra known as DGL deglycyrrhizinated licorice are helpful for avoiding the irritating actions NSAIDs have on the stomach and intestines.

One study found that mg of chewable DGL taken together with each dose of aspirin reduced gastrointestinal bleeding caused by the aspirin. DGL has been shown in controlled human research to be as effective as drug therapy cimetidine in healing stomach ulcers. An Oriental herb formula containing Glycyrrhiza radix licorice root and Paeoniae radix white peony root successfully restored menses in a year-old woman who had developed amenorrhea lack of menstruation while taking risperidone.

Discontinuation of these herbs while the woman continued taking risperidone again led to disruption of her menses. In another study, treatment with this same formula restored menses in 6 of 18 women who had developed amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea infrequent menstruation from taking risperidone.

Controlled research is needed to determine whether supplementation with licorice and peony might help prevent amenorrhea in women taking risperidone.

When applied to the skin, glycyrrhetinic acid a chemical found in licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra increases the activity of hydrocortisone. This effect might allow for less hydrocortisone to be used when combined with glycyrrhetinic acid, but further study is needed to test this possibility. The flavonoids found in the extract of licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra known as DGL deglycyrrhizinated licorice are helpful for avoiding the irritating actions aspirin has on the stomach and intestines.

The potent anti-inflammatory substance known as glycyrrhizin from licorice has been combined with isoniazid for treatment of tuberculosis. An older study found a benefit from combining the two compared to using isoniazid alone. Glycyrrhizin was given by injection, so it is not certain if licorice extracts containing glycyrrhizin would be as effective given by mouth.

The treatment required at least three months of administration. Test tube studies show that the herbal combination sho-saiko-to enhances the antiviral activity of lamivudine. Sho-saiko-to contains extracts of seven herbs, including Bupleuri radix, Pinelliae tuber, Scutellariae radix, Zizyphi fructus, ginseng Ginseng radix , licorice Glycyrrhizae radix , and ginger Zingibers rhizoma. Controlled studies are needed to determine whether taking sho-saiko-to might enhance the beneficial effects of lamivudine.

This interaction applies only to dermatological forms of this drug. Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra may increase the side effects of potassium-depleting diuretics, including thiazide diuretics.

Thiazide diuretics and licorice should be used together only under careful medical supervision. At the time of this writing, no evidence was found of interactions between deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL and any diuretic was found in the medical literature.

Potassium deficiency increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Excessive use of licorice plant or licorice plant products may cause the body to lose potassium. Artificial licorice flavoring does not cause potassium loss. People taking digoxin should read product labels carefully for licorice plant ingredients. Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra may enhance the side effects of potassium-depleting diuretics, including loop diuretics. Loop diuretics and licorice should be used together only under careful medical supervision.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL may be used safely with all diuretics. Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was shown to decrease the elimination of prednisone in test tube studies. If this action happens in people, it might prolong prednisone activity and possibly increase prednisone-related side effects. A small, controlled study found that intravenous iv glycyrrhizin an active constituent in licorice given with iv prednisolone prolonged prednisolone action in healthy men.

Whether this effect would occur with oral corticosteroids and licorice supplements is unknown. An animal study has shown that glycyrrhizin prevents the immune-suppressing actions of cortisone—the natural corticosteroid hormone produced by the body.

More research is necessary to determine if this action is significant in humans taking oral corticosteroids. Until more is known, people should not take licorice with corticosteroids without first consulting a doctor. Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra may worsen the side effects of potassium-depleting diuretics, including loop diuretics. Licorice products that include glycyrrhizin may increase blood pressure and cause water retention and potassium deficiency.

Long-term intake more than two to three weeks of products containing more than 1 gram of glycyrrhizin the amount in approximately 10 grams of root daily is the usual amount required to cause these effects.

Consumption of 7 grams licorice containing mg glycyrrhizin per day for seven days has been shown to decrease serum testosterone levels in healthy men by blocking the enzymes needed to synthesize testosterone. Consumption of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to increase potassium intake is recommended to help decrease the chance of potassium deficiency. According to the German Commission E monograph, licorice is inadvisable for pregnant women as well as for people with liver and kidney disorders.

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Endoscopic controlled trial of four drug regimens in the treatment of chronic duodenal ulceration. Ir Med J ; Clinical trial of deglycyrrhizinised liquorice in gastric ulcer.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice in aphthous ulcers. J Assoc Physicians India ; Reduction of serum testosterone in men by licorice. New Engl J Med ; [letter]. Liquorice consumption and salivary testosterone concentrations. Lancet ; Learn more about TraceGains, the company.