What is it used for?
All subpopulations
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as an expectorant to help relieve (mucous buildup (catarrhs) and) cough associated with upper respiratory tract infections/cold (EMA 2012; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Bradley 1992; Felter and Lloyd 1983, Grieve 1971).
Adults only
Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis in adults [Source note 2].
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Licorice is used in Herbal Medicine as an expectorant to help relieve cough associated with upper respiratory tract infections).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
Restrictions when this reference is combined with other references (source review category II and III):
Licorice and stimulant laxatives: As licorice may potentiate potassium depletion of laxatives, the combination of licorice with stimulant laxatives is only permitted if:
Licorice and diuretics: Not more than 1 ingredient with diuretic properties may be combined with the active ingredient licorice due to potential of electrolyte imbalance at Class II. Combinations with more diuretics may be submitted as a source review category III.
Who does this guide cover?
As specified below.
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms by age group:
Children 4-5 years: The acceptable dosage forms are limited to chewables, emulsion/ suspension, powders and solution/liquid preparations (Giacoia et al. 2008; EMA/CHMP 2006).
Children 6-11 years, Adolescents 12-17 years, and Adults 18 years and older: The
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
| Subpopulations | Subpopulations | Dried root/rhizome/stolon (gram/day) / Minimum | Dried root/rhizome/stolon (gram/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children¹ | 4 years | 0.1 | 2.5 |
| Children¹ | 5-9 years | 0.15 | 3.75 |
| Children¹ | 10-11 years | 0.3 | 7.5 |
| Adolescents¹ | 12-14 years | 0.3 | 7.5 |
| Adolescents¹ | 15-17 years | 0.6 | 15 |
| Adults¹,² | 18 years and older | 0.6 | 15 |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a fraction of the adult dose [Source note 3]. The use of licorice in children and adolescents is supported by the following references: McIntyre 2005; Schilcher 1997; Bove 1996.
²Adult dose supported by the following references: Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Bradley 1992.
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-standardized extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Methods of preparation: Standardized Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
| Subpopulations | Subpopulations | Glycyrrhizin (milligram/day) / Minimum | Glycyrrhizin (milligram/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children¹ | 4 years | 10 | 100 |
| Children¹ | 5-9 years | 15 | 150 |
| Children¹ | 10-11 years | 30 | 300 |
| Adolescents¹ | 12-14 years | 30 | 300 |
| Adolescents¹ | 15-17 years | 60 | 600 |
| Adults¹,² | 18 years and older | 60 | 600 |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a fraction of the adult dose [Source note 4]. The use of licorice in children and adolescents is supported by the following references: McIntyre 2005; Schilcher 1997; Bove 1996.
²Adult dose supported by the following references: ESCOP 2003.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 4 weeks [Source note 5].
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding [Source note 6].
Cough relief
Ask a healthcare professional if cough worsens or persists (for) more than 1 week [Source note 7].
Gastritis relief
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
All products
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 8].
Do not use if you have hypokalemia, high blood pressure, or a kidney, liver or cardiovascular disorder [Source note 9].
Do not use if you are taking heart medications, corticosteroids, stimulant laxatives, or other health products that may contribute electrolyte imbalance [Source note 10].
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycyrrhiza glabra |
| Glycyrrhiza glabra |
| Dry |
| Glycyrrhiza inflata |
| Glycyrrhiza inflata |
| Dry |
| Glycyrrhiza uralensis |
| Glycyrrhiza uralensis |
| Dry |
References: Proper names: USDA 2024; Common names: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Bensky et al. 2004; Source information: Mills and Bone 2005, Bensky et al. 2004; ESCOP 2003, Blumenthal et al. 2000, Bradley 1992.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- November 29, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.