The Ancient Root That Does It All — From Blood Sugar to Immunity
Known as a traditional remedy that can help you overcome cravings for sweets, licorice root also balances blood sugar, soothes the digestive tract, calms respiratory inflammation, and regulates immune function. If this wasn’t enough, it’s an effective antiviral herb as well. Here we will explore the benefits of this popular herb, safety considerations, as well as a delicious vitamin bar recipe that’s perfect for keeping you and your family resilient against any bugs making the rounds.
Crush Cravings
Licorice root tea is an excellent replacement for sugary drinks since it’s naturally sweet and balances blood sugar levels to keep cravings at bay. You can drink it whenever you need to satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit consumption to 1-2 cups per day. See the safety section below for more information.
Recipe. Licorice Root Tea
Ingredients
1 tablespoon dried licorice root
1 cup boiling water
Instructions
Steep licorice root with boiling water in a covered mug for 5-10 minutes to extract all the beneficial properties of the herb. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon or a slice of ginger to enhance the taste. Enjoy warm or iced.
Top Health Benefits of Licorice
Respiratory complaints. Licorice is useful in treating lung problems because it helps the body produce and expel mucus, which keeps the respiratory system clean and functioning properly. It can also be helpful for alleviating the symptoms of COPD. See our Bronchial Blend in the apothecary for an additional level of support.
Antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant. An outstanding ally during the cold and influenza season, licorice helps to boost the immune system and provides antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant benefits to keep you and your family healthy. Our low-sugar Elderberry extract is another highly effective option.
Leaky gut and inflammation. Licorice soothes the digestive tract and calms inflammation in the intestinal tract that can cause gut permeability. See our Balanced Gut Blend for a comprehensive, easy-to-use alternative.
Female hormonal balance. Due to the phytoestrogenic compounds liquiritigenin and glabrene, licorice root is an excellent natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. It helps to calm hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, while also addressing fertility and menstrual problems. Looking for a convenient, ready-made option for hormonal support? Have a look at our Menopause Blend.
Balanced blood sugar. Researchers have identified a class of natural compounds in licorice root called amorfrutins, which work by docking into a key cellular receptor that is involved in lowering blood sugar, calming inflammation, and preventing fatty liver disease. Beyond this mechanism, licorice has been shown to improve fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles. Interestingly, research has also found that licorice reshapes the gut microbiota, which plays a role in helping to lower blood sugar levels. Add to this its ability to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidative stress, and restore the body’s antioxidant capacity, and licorice root is an excellent all-natural remedy for addressing blood sugar imbalance.1,2,3,4 If you would like a comprehensive alternative for heart health and blood sugar regulation, take a look our Heart, Blood Pressure, and Blood Sugar Bundle.
Boost Immunity & Resilience: Herbal Vitamin Bars
This immune-supporting vitamin bar brings together some of nature’s most powerful botanicals in every delicious bite. Bilberry delivers a rich dose of antioxidant anthocyanins to strengthen immune defenses. Elderberry — a time-honored herbal staple — adds potent antiviral and antioxidant support. Licorice root works to calm inflammation and reinforce the body’s natural defenses. Pumpkin seeds contribute essential zinc for healthy immune function, while sunflower seeds provide a generous supply of vitamin E to keep immunity strong and resilient.
Ingredients
4 oz dried pitted dates
5 oz mixed nuts
1 heaped tsp bilberry powder
1 tsp elderberry extract
1 tsp licorice root extract
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 tbsp pure cocoa powder
2 tbsp raw honey
Instructions
Prepare the Base: In a food processor, combine dried pitted dates and mixed nuts. Blend until you achieve a sticky and cohesive mixture. Press the mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan to create an even base for your vitamin bar.
Herbal Infusion Layer: In a small bowl, mix bilberry powder, elderberry extract, and licorice root extract. Spread this herbal blend evenly over the prepared base.
Nutrient-Rich Toppings: Sprinkle pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and pure cocoa powder over the herbal layer.
Sweeten and Set: Drizzle honey evenly across the top, providing natural sweetness. Keep the mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Cut and Serve: Once the herbal vitamin bar has set in the freezer, use a sharp knife to carefully cut it into 8 individual bars. For a clean cut, run the knife under hot water before slicing each portion.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Dosage
Consume one bar each day for optimal immune support
Safety
While licorice can be beneficial, it should be used in moderation. Long-term use of licorice root or high doses can lead to severe side effects. The primary reason for these side effects is the presence of glycyrrhizin. Therefore, using DGL licorice reduces the risks associated with it.
Be aware of the following symptoms: low potassium levels in the body (hypokalemia), muscle weakness, fluid retention and swelling, metabolic abnormalities, high blood pressure, heart rhythm irregularities, erectile dysfunction, and potential drug interactions.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should strictly avoid licorice in all forms. Additionally, individuals prone to hypertension should also refrain from using licorice root.
Moreover, it is crucial to avoid using licorice root if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems. Before undergoing surgery, it is advisable to stop taking licorice root at least two weeks in advance.
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With these simple, DIY remedies, you can stock your herbal medicine chest and be prepared for any illness in case pharmaceuticals and/or first aid supplies are unavailable — or if you just want to make your own herbal medicine, as I do. This is knowledge commonly used by our ancestors that has been largely forgotten in our modern age. I’m here to change that! Tap the link below to learn more.
Begin Your Journey
Nicole Apelian
Action Steps: Uses for Licorice Root
- Use Licorice Root Tea to Curb Sugar Cravings Brew one tablespoon of dried licorice root steeped in one cup of boiling water for five to ten minutes. Drink up to two cups daily as a naturally sweet, blood sugar-stabilizing replacement for sugary beverages. Add fresh lemon or ginger to enhance the flavor.
- Add Licorice Root to Your Immune Support Protocol Incorporate licorice root into your seasonal immune routine — especially during cold and flu season — for its antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Pairing it with elderberry extract creates a potent immune-supporting combination.
- Address Blood Sugar Imbalance Holistically If blood sugar regulation is a primary concern, combine licorice root with a diet low in refined sugars and high in fiber, prebiotic foods, and anti-inflammatory fats. Consider Nicole’s Heart, Blood Sugar, and Blood Pressure Bundle for a comprehensive herbal approach to metabolic health.
- Support Gut Health at the Root If leaky gut or digestive inflammation are concerns, use licorice root alongside other gut-healing herbs such as slippery elm and marshmallow root — both of which are found in Nicole’s Apothecary Balanced Gut Blend — for a more targeted and comprehensive approach to intestinal repair and microbiome restoration.
- Choose DGL Licorice for Long-Term Use If you plan to use licorice root regularly or in higher doses, opt for DGL licorice to minimize the risk of side effects associated with glycyrrhizin. Consult a healthcare provider before beginning any long-term herbal protocol, particularly if you have existing cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal conditions.
- Know When to Avoid It Discontinue use of licorice root at least two weeks before any planned surgery. Avoid entirely if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, prone to high blood pressure, or managing heart, liver, or kidney conditions. Monitor for early warning signs including muscle weakness, swelling, or changes in blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is licorice root good for? Licorice root is a versatile medicinal herb with a wide range of evidence-backed benefits. It is most commonly used to balance blood sugar, reduce sugar cravings, soothe the digestive tract, calm respiratory inflammation, support female hormonal balance, and provide antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant protection. Research has also identified specific compounds in licorice root that improve insulin sensitivity and reshape the gut microbiota as part of its blood sugar-lowering action.
Can licorice root help with sugar cravings? Yes. Licorice root is naturally sweet and has been used as a traditional remedy for curbing cravings for sweets. It helps balance blood sugar levels, which is one of the primary drivers of sugar cravings. Licorice root tea is an effective, low-sugar alternative to sugary drinks that can be consumed whenever cravings arise, with a recommended limit of one to two cups per day.
How does licorice root balance blood sugar? Researchers have identified a class of natural compounds in licorice root called amorfrutins that dock onto a key metabolic receptor in the cell nucleus to reduce blood sugar and calm inflammation. Licorice has also been shown to improve fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles, while reshaping the gut microbiota in ways that further support healthy blood sugar regulation.
Is licorice root good for the gut? Yes. Licorice root soothes the digestive tract, calms intestinal inflammation, and helps address gut permeability — commonly known as leaky gut. Its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties make it a well-regarded herb for supporting overall digestive health and integrity of the intestinal lining.
Can licorice root help with respiratory issues? Licorice root has a well-established history of use for respiratory complaints. It supports the body in producing and expelling mucus, keeping the respiratory system clean and functioning properly. It has also shown potential in helping to alleviate symptoms associated with chronic respiratory conditions including COPD.
Is licorice root safe to use daily? Licorice root can be beneficial when used in moderation, but long-term or high-dose use can lead to serious side effects due to the presence of a compound called glycyrrhizin. These include low potassium levels, high blood pressure, fluid retention, and heart rhythm irregularities. Using DGL licorice — a form with glycyrrhizin removed — significantly reduces these risks. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with hypertension, and those with heart, liver, or kidney conditions should avoid licorice root entirely.
What is DGL licorice and is it safer? DGL stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice — a processed form of licorice root from which the compound glycyrrhizin has been removed. Glycyrrhizin is responsible for most of licorice root’s serious side effects, so DGL licorice is generally considered a safer option for regular use, particularly for digestive support.
Can licorice root help with menopause symptoms? Yes. Licorice root contains phytoestrogenic compounds called liquiritigenin and glabrene that make it a useful natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. It has been shown to help calm hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, while also supporting fertility and addressing menstrual irregularities.
Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post
Balanced Gut Blend Tincture
Bronchial Blend Tincture
Dual-Extracted Elderberry Tincture
Heart, Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Bundle
Menopause Blend Tincture
References
- Liquorice root found to contain anti-diabetic substance, Max Planck Institute, April 17, 2012. https://www.mpg.de/5612351/amorfrutins_diabetes
- Yang L, Jiang Y, Zhang Z, Hou J, Tian S, Liu Y. The anti-diabetic activity of licorice, a widely used Chinese herb. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Dec 5;263:113216. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113216. Epub 2020 Aug 5. PMID: 32763420.
- Zhang Y, Xu Y, Zhang L, Chen Y, Wu T, Liu R, Sui W, Zhu Q, Zhang M. Licorice extract ameliorates hyperglycemia through reshaping gut microbiota structure and inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in type 2 diabetic mice. Food Res Int. 2022 Mar;153:110945. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.110945. Epub 2022 Jan 10. PMID: 35227470.
- Alrefaei, Abdulmajeed F, and Mohamed E Elbeeh. “Hepatoprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra in Diabetic Male Rats: Addressing Liver Function, Oxidative Stress, and Histopathological Changes.” Biology vol. 14,3 307. 18 Mar. 2025, doi:10.3390/biology14030307
