Chinese licorice, often called Gan Cao in traditional East Asian practice, is one of the most widely used herbs in classical formulas and modern herbal products. It is valued for two reasons at the same time: it has useful pharmacologic compounds, and it also changes how multi-herb formulas taste and behave. In practical use, people most often reach for Chinese licorice for cough support, throat comfort, and mild digestive complaints, while clinicians and researchers also study its anti-inflammatory and liver-related effects.
At the same time, this herb deserves more caution than many “gentle” kitchen herbs. Its main compound, glycyrrhizin, can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and interact with common medications when used too long or in concentrated amounts. That makes product type, dose, and duration especially important. This guide explains what Chinese licorice contains, what it may help with, how to use it, and when it is better to avoid it.
Key Insights
- Chinese licorice is commonly used for cough support, throat comfort, and short-term digestive symptom relief.
- Its best-known active compound, glycyrrhizin, can cause fluid retention, higher blood pressure, and low potassium in susceptible users.
- A traditional tea dose is 1.5–2 g root in 150 mL water, taken 2–4 times daily, depending on the use and product form.
- People with hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, low potassium, or pregnancy should avoid unsupervised use.
- Do not combine multiple licorice products at the same time, especially teas, extracts, candies, and supplements.
Table of Contents
- What is Chinese licorice
- Key ingredients and how they work
- What does it help with
- How to use Chinese licorice
- How much Chinese licorice per day
- Chinese licorice side effects and interactions
- What the evidence actually says
What is Chinese licorice
Chinese licorice is the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, a legume plant used for centuries in East Asian herbal medicine. It belongs to the same broader licorice group as Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza inflata, and many commercial products use one or a blend of these species. That is an important detail, because labels often say only “licorice root” or “Glycyrrhiza” without naming the exact species.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese licorice is known as Gan Cao. It appears in many formulas not only for its own effects, but also because it can moderate harsh tastes and help “harmonize” combinations. In practical terms, that means it is often included in smaller amounts alongside other herbs rather than used alone.
The root is naturally sweet. That sweetness comes largely from glycyrrhizin, a compound that is far sweeter than table sugar. This sweet taste explains why licorice has long been used in lozenges, teas, syrups, and confectionery. However, medicinal licorice and “licorice-flavored” candy are not the same thing. Some candies contain real licorice extract, while others use anise flavoring and contain little or no licorice compounds.
Chinese licorice is sold in several forms:
- Dried cut root for tea or decoction
- Powdered root
- Liquid extracts and tinctures
- Capsules and tablets
- Lozenges and syrups
- Topical creams and gels
- Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) chewables, which remove most glycyrrhizin
The DGL form matters because it is designed to reduce the blood pressure and potassium risks linked to glycyrrhizin. Many people use DGL for digestive support when they want a licorice-based product with a lower systemic risk profile.
A simple way to think about Chinese licorice is this: it is a useful herb, but it is not a casual “take as much as you like” ingredient. It sits in a middle category between food herb and pharmacologically active botanical. That is why product choice, timing, and duration matter just as much as the herb itself.
If you are buying a product for self-care, start by checking three things on the label:
- The species name, if listed (Glycyrrhiza uralensis vs another licorice species)
- Whether it contains glycyrrhizin or is marked DGL
- The dose per serving and the recommended duration
Those basics prevent most of the common mistakes people make with licorice supplements.
Key ingredients and how they work
Chinese licorice contains a large and chemically diverse set of compounds. Modern reviews describe licorice species as rich in triterpenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, and this wide chemical profile helps explain why the herb shows many different effects in lab and animal studies.
The most important compound for both benefits and side effects is glycyrrhizin (also called glycyrrhizic acid). After ingestion, gut bacteria convert it into glycyrrhetinic acid. This metabolite is the main reason licorice can affect blood pressure and potassium balance. It interferes with an enzyme that normally protects mineralocorticoid receptors from cortisol. When that protection is reduced, the body can behave as if aldosterone is too high, even when it is not. The result may include:
- Sodium and water retention
- Potassium loss
- Higher blood pressure
- Swelling
- Muscle weakness
- Heart rhythm problems in severe cases
This mechanism is well known and is the central safety issue with licorice products that contain glycyrrhizin.
Beyond glycyrrhizin, Chinese licorice also contains flavonoids and related phenolic compounds. These include substances such as liquiritin, liquiritigenin, and isoliquiritigenin, along with other licorice flavonoids that vary by species and processing method. Flavonoids are often discussed for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In research settings, they have been studied for effects on inflammatory signaling, mucosal protection, and oxidative stress pathways.
Polysaccharides are another major group. These are longer carbohydrate molecules that may contribute to immune signaling and gut-related effects, although human evidence is still developing. In many herbs, polysaccharides are part of the reason water-based preparations like decoctions behave differently from alcohol extracts.
Chinese licorice is also interesting because processing can change its profile. In traditional practice, raw licorice and honey-fried licorice are used a bit differently. Heating and processing can shift taste, extraction behavior, and possibly the relative amounts of certain active compounds. In real-world supplement products, however, these differences are not always standardized, which is one reason two “licorice” products can feel very different.
From a practical standpoint, the key takeaway is that Chinese licorice has two parallel profiles:
- A potential-support profile tied to anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and formula-supporting compounds
- A risk profile tied mainly to glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid
That split is why the same herb can be praised for sore throat or digestive comfort and still be unsafe for someone with hypertension. It is also why “licorice” should never be treated as one generic category without checking the actual product form.
If you remember only one ingredient, remember glycyrrhizin. It is the compound that most often determines whether a licorice product is appropriate for you.
What does it help with
Chinese licorice is used across several common health concerns, but the strength of evidence depends a lot on the condition and the product form. Some uses are traditional and long-standing, while others have only preliminary clinical support.
For traditional use, Chinese licorice is commonly used for:
- Mild digestive discomfort, including burning sensation and dyspepsia
- Cough support, especially as an expectorant in cough associated with colds
- Throat soothing in teas, syrups, and lozenges
These uses fit how licorice is experienced in everyday practice. It has a naturally sweet taste, can coat the throat, and is often included in cough formulas for comfort and flavor balance.
There are also some modern, more targeted uses people ask about. The most common include canker sores, sore throat after intubation, and topical skin support. In human studies, licorice-containing mouth rinses, gargles, or topical products have shown some promise for recurrent canker sores and post-intubation sore throat. Topical products have also been studied for eczema symptoms and minor skin concerns. That said, these are not universal results, and many studies use specific preparations that do not translate directly to every store-bought supplement.
Digestive support is another area of interest, but it is more complicated than marketing claims suggest. Some products use deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), especially for upper digestive comfort. DGL is often preferred for this purpose because it reduces glycyrrhizin exposure. The challenge is that evidence is mixed, and product formulations vary widely. A tea, a DGL chewable, and a concentrated extract may not act the same way.
Liver support is one of the more research-active areas. A recent meta-analysis of randomized trials in people with primary liver disease found improvements in liver enzymes such as ALT and AST with licorice-containing interventions. This is encouraging, but it needs context: many studies used different formulations, doses, and combinations with other herbs or treatments, so it does not prove that a standard over-the-counter Chinese licorice supplement will produce the same effect.
What Chinese licorice probably does best in self-care is symptom support rather than cure-level treatment. Examples include:
- Short-term throat and cough comfort during a cold
- Supportive use in digestive discomfort when chosen carefully
- Targeted topical use for specific skin or oral applications
What it does not do well is replace medical evaluation for persistent symptoms. If you have ongoing reflux, chronic cough, swelling, or abnormal liver tests, licorice is not a substitute for diagnosis.
A realistic view is the safest one: Chinese licorice can be helpful, especially in short-term or formula-based use, but it is not a simple “more is better” herb. Benefits are often modest, preparation-specific, and highly dependent on who is using it.
How to use Chinese licorice
How you use Chinese licorice should depend on your goal. The same herb can be prepared as a tea, decoction, lozenge, topical product, or extract, and each form has a different intensity and risk profile.
For throat and cough comfort, the most common forms are:
- Herbal tea or decoction
- Syrups
- Lozenges
- Gargles
These forms work well for local soothing because they contact the throat and mouth directly. If throat comfort is your main goal, a lozenge or warm tea often makes more sense than a concentrated capsule.
For digestive support, many people choose:
- Tea or decoction (traditional use)
- DGL chewable tablets
- Capsules with standardized extracts
DGL chewables are especially common for upper digestive symptoms because they lower glycyrrhizin exposure. They are also easier to dose consistently than loose root tea. If you are using licorice for digestion and you have any blood pressure risk, DGL is usually the safer starting point.
For skin or oral applications, use product-specific topical forms:
- Creams or gels for skin
- Mouth rinse, gel, or paste for oral lesions
- Short-contact gargles for throat discomfort
Topical use may still cause irritation, so a patch test or brief trial is a good idea.
A practical way to choose the right form is to match it to where you want the effect:
- Mouth or throat issue: lozenge, gargle, or warm tea
- Digestive support: DGL chewable or tea, depending on tolerance
- General supplement use: capsule only if you know the glycyrrhizin content and duration
- Skin support: topical product only
A few product-selection tips make a big difference:
- Check if the label says “deglycyrrhizinated” (DGL) or “glycyrrhizin removed”
- Avoid stacking licorice from multiple sources (tea plus capsules plus candy)
- Prefer products that list extract ratio, species, or standardization
- Be cautious with imported mixed-herb formulas if the label does not list exact amounts
- Do not use high-strength extracts casually
If you are using Chinese licorice as part of a traditional multi-herb formula, dosing decisions are harder because the herb may be included for balancing rather than as the main active ingredient. In that case, the total licorice intake can still add up, especially if you also drink licorice tea or use cough lozenges separately.
One overlooked point is timing. Licorice products are often better used in the shortest effective window, such as a few days during a cold, instead of becoming a daily long-term habit. This is especially true for non-DGL products.
In short, Chinese licorice is easiest to use safely when you pick one form, one purpose, and one time-limited plan. Most problems happen when people use several licorice products at once without realizing the combined exposure.
How much Chinese licorice per day
Dosage for Chinese licorice depends on the form and the reason for use. This is one of the most important sections, because licorice is a herb where dose and duration strongly affect safety.
For traditional short-term use, an official European herbal monograph lists the following adult dosing ranges for licorice root preparations (including Glycyrrhiza uralensis root):
For digestive symptoms (traditional use):
- Tea or decoction: 1.5–2 g of comminuted root in 150 mL water, taken 2 to 4 times daily
- Timing: one cup after meals
- Soft extract (DER 1:0.4–0.5): 32 mg, 2 to 3 times daily
- Maximum listed for that soft extract: 160 mg per day
For cough associated with cold (traditional expectorant use):
- Tea or decoction: 1.5 g in 150 mL water, 2 times daily
- Soft extract (DER 3:1): 1.2–1.5 g, 3 to 4 times daily
Those are traditional-use dosing frameworks, not a free pass for long-term daily use. The same monograph also sets clear duration limits and follow-up points:
- For digestive symptoms, do not use for more than 4 weeks
- If digestive symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, seek medical advice
- For cough use, seek medical advice if symptoms last more than 1 week
This duration guidance is just as important as the dose itself.
If your product is a capsule, tincture, or a proprietary extract, the exact numbers may not match the ranges above because extract ratios and glycyrrhizin content vary. In that case:
- Follow the product label
- Confirm whether the product contains glycyrrhizin
- Use the lowest effective dose
- Avoid extending use without a reason
For DGL products, dosing is not interchangeable with whole-root licorice because the glycyrrhizin is reduced or removed. DGL is typically used on a product-specific schedule, often around meals, but labels vary widely. Treat DGL and standard licorice as different products.
A few common dosing mistakes to avoid:
- Using medicinal licorice tea like a daily beverage
- Taking licorice capsules and eating real licorice candy in the same week
- Assuming “natural” means no upper limit
- Ignoring how long you have been taking it
If you have hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, low potassium, or you take prescription medications, the right dose may be “none” unless a clinician tells you otherwise. With Chinese licorice, the safest approach is not simply lower dose, but the correct product for the correct person.
When in doubt, use a short course, use one licorice product at a time, and reassess quickly.
Chinese licorice side effects and interactions
Chinese licorice can cause serious side effects when used too long, used in high doses, or used by people with certain medical conditions. This risk is mainly linked to glycyrrhizin-containing products, not necessarily DGL products.
The most important adverse effect pattern is sometimes called licorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism. In plain language, licorice can push the body toward a fluid-retaining, potassium-losing state. Symptoms and consequences may include:
- Higher blood pressure
- Swelling or fluid retention
- Low potassium
- Headache
- Muscle weakness or cramping
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
- In severe cases, dangerous cardiac rhythm problems
These effects can happen gradually, which is why people often miss the connection. Someone may think they are only using “herbal tea” while their blood pressure rises over a few weeks.
People who should avoid unsupervised Chinese licorice use include:
- People with hypertension
- People with kidney disease
- People with heart or cardiovascular disease
- People with liver disease
- People with low potassium
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people
- Children and adolescents (for many traditional licorice preparations, use under 18 is not recommended)
- Anyone with a history of significant arrhythmia
Medication interactions are a major concern. Licorice may interact with or worsen the effects of:
- Diuretics
- Cardiac glycosides
- Corticosteroids
- Stimulant laxatives
- Antihypertensive medications
- Other products that affect electrolytes
The interaction risk is not only about one dramatic event. It is often about cumulative strain on blood pressure, potassium, and heart rhythm. If you already take a medication that influences fluid balance, licorice can push things in the wrong direction.
Pregnancy is another important caution area. Large oral intake of licorice extract has been linked to pregnancy risks, and most formal monographs and safety resources recommend avoiding it during pregnancy and lactation because safety is not established.
DGL is often presented as a safer option, and in many cases that is true for blood pressure-related concerns because the glycyrrhizin content is reduced. But “safer” does not mean risk-free. You still need to watch for:
- Skin irritation with topical products
- Product-quality variability
- Interactions in multi-herb formulas
- Self-treatment delays when symptoms need medical care
Stop using Chinese licorice and seek medical advice promptly if you notice swelling, elevated blood pressure, muscle weakness, palpitations, or persistent headaches during use.
The safest habit is simple: if a licorice product is not clearly labeled DGL, assume it may contain enough glycyrrhizin to matter. That one assumption prevents many avoidable side effects.
What the evidence actually says
Chinese licorice has a large research footprint, but the evidence is uneven. There is strong biochemical and pharmacology interest, a long history of traditional use, and a growing number of human studies, yet the clinical picture is still mixed because products and doses vary so much.
Here is the most useful way to read the evidence:
1. Mechanism and compound research is robust
Modern reviews show licorice species contain many active compounds and have broad pharmacologic activity in preclinical work, including anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. This supports why the herb remains important, but it does not automatically predict what a standard supplement will do in humans.
2. Human evidence exists, but formulations differ
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in people with primary liver disease found that licorice-containing interventions improved ALT and AST on average. That is meaningful, but many included studies used different preparations, and some combined licorice with other herbs or standard treatments. In other words, the signal is promising, but not a simple “buy any licorice capsule” conclusion.
3. Safety evidence is clinically important and stronger than many people realize
Licorice is one of the clearer examples of an herb with real dose-related risk. A recent meta-analysis of randomized trials found that interventions dominated by glycyrrhizic acid increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while flavonoid-dominant interventions did not show the same blood pressure effect. That distinction matters because it supports what clinicians already suspect: the compound profile, not just the plant name, changes the risk.
4. Consumer guidance remains cautious
Major health information sources still describe the evidence for many licorice benefits as preliminary or insufficient for clear conclusions, especially for licorice used alone rather than in formulas or specialized preparations. That cautious tone is appropriate.
For readers trying to make a practical decision, the evidence supports a balanced approach:
- Reasonable: short-term, targeted use for throat or cough comfort, or carefully chosen digestive support
- Potentially helpful but more clinical: liver-related use in supervised settings and defined formulations
- Not reasonable: long-term daily self-use of glycyrrhizin-containing products without monitoring
The most evidence-based habit is not avoiding Chinese licorice completely. It is using the right form for the right reason and respecting the safety ceiling. For this herb, good judgment is part of the dosage.
References
- Community herbal monograph on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and/or Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. and/or Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., radix 2012 (Guideline) ([European Medicines Agency (EMA)][1])
- Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety | NCCIH 2024 (Government Health Summary) ([NCCIH][2])
- Glycyrrhiza, a commonly used medicinal herb: Review of species classification, pharmacology, active ingredient biosynthesis, and synthetic biology 2024 (Review) ([PMC][3])
- Licorice and liver function in patients with primary liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs 2024 (Systematic Review) ([PubMed][4])
- Effects of Licorice Functional Components Intakes on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and NETWORK Toxicology 2024 (Systematic Review) ([PMC][5])
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Chinese licorice can interact with medications and may cause serious side effects, including high blood pressure, low potassium, and heart rhythm problems, especially with prolonged use or concentrated products. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have heart, kidney, or liver disease, have hypertension, or take prescription medicines, speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using licorice products.
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