When most people think of licorice, they picture that chewy black candy everyone either loves or absolutely can’t stand. At Dose Daily, we get it — the flavor’s intense, and the reputation is mixed at best. However, there’s more to licorice than a snack aisle debate.

Read on to learn what licorice root is, how it’s been used across cultures for centuries, and why people still reach for it today in the wellness world.

What Is Licorice Root?

Let’s clear something up right away: licorice root and licorice candy are not the same thing.

That black candy your grandma loves? It might be flavored with real licorice, but more often than not, it’s made with anise oil — a totally different plant that just tastes kinda similar. 

Licorice root, on the other hand, comes from the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. This plant has a naturally sweet, earthy flavor and a long history of use in food, tea, and traditional wellness practices.

People have been brewing, chewing, and steeping this stuff for a long time — way before it made its way into candy. These days, you’ll mostly see it in the form of powders, capsules, or liquid extracts. It can also show up in herbal blends and wellness shots, depending on what you’re looking to support.

Why Opt for Licorice Root?

There are plenty of reasons this root’s stuck around — and none of them involve sugar cravings. Here are a few science-backed perks that help explain why people keep turning to licorice root:

Supports Respiratory Health

Licorice root has a long history of being used to help maintain a clear, calm respiratory system. It contains natural compounds like glycyrrhizin, which have been studied for their ability to support mucus membrane health — think airways and lungs. It’s often used in traditional remedies for maintaining comfort during seasonal shifts or when your throat’s feeling scratchy and overworked.

Helps Maintain Digestive Comfort

Digestive drama happens. Whether it’s something you ate, stress kicking in, or just your gut being a little moody, licorice root has a long history of being used to help soothe the stomach. 

It’s often tapped for support when things feel off, like after a heavy meal. People use it to help keep things calm and balanced, especially when their digestive system’s feeling out of sync.

Promotes Stress Resilience

Licorice root is considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body stay steady when life gets messy. It’s been used traditionally to support adrenal health and help maintain balanced cortisol levels, so it may help you feel a little more grounded when things get hectic. 

Supports Skin From Within

Some people also use licorice root as part of their skincare routine—especially from the inside out. 

It’s been studied for how it interacts with skin cells and is often used in formulas that aim to support a clear, even look. It’s not magic, but it can be a smart addition to a long-game routine for balanced skin.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Short answer: yes, licorice root can have side effects — especially if you overdo it or take certain forms without knowing what’s in them.

Most of the concerns come down to glycyrrhizin. As touched on previously, it’s one of the main active compounds in licorice root. 

While it’s been studied for some interesting health-supportive properties, taking too much can affect your potassium levels, which may impact how your body retains fluids or regulates circulation. Not ideal.

That’s why most people who use licorice root regularly opt for something called DGL licorice.

DGL stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which means the glycyrrhizin has been removed. That way, you still get a lot of the benefits licorice root is known for, but with a lower chance of side effects. DGL is a go-to for individuals with sensitive systems or anyone looking to play it safe. You’ll often see it in chewables, lozenges, or supplements designed for digestive support.

That said, even DGL isn’t for everyone. If you’re pregnant, nursing, on capsules, or managing a health condition, it’s worth checking in with your doctor before adding licorice root to your routine — just to be safe.

How Do You Actually Use Licorice Root?

So you’ve decided to give licorice root a shot — now what? You’re probably not about to start digging up roots and making your own extracts, and honestly, we wouldn’t blame you. Luckily, there are easier ways to bring licorice root into your routine without going full apothecary.

Below are a few simple ways people tend to use it, depending on what fits best with your lifestyle:

Sip It as Tea

If you’re the type who loves a cozy ritual (or just wants something warm that doesn’t involve a 3 p.m. coffee), licorice root tea is a great place to start. It’s one of the most traditional ways to use the root, and you don’t need anything fancy to make it happen.

You can drink it hot or let it cool and serve it over ice. Either way, it’s naturally a little sweet and earthy, so you won’t need to add much (if anything) to enjoy the flavor.

Look for organic, high-quality dried root (not flavored tea bags) if you want the real deal.

Take It as a Supplement

No time for tea? No problem. Licorice root is easy to find in supplement form, which makes it way more convenient to work into your routine — especially if you’re juggling work, kids, errands, and everything in between.

Supplements come in a few different forms: capsules, tablets, powders, and tinctures. They’re usually more concentrated than tea, which means you don’t need much to get the intended effect. 

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Capsules or tablets: Great for on-the-go or anyone who just wants to keep things simple. Take them with water, usually once or twice a day, depending on the label.
  

• Tinctures: These are liquid extracts that you can drop into water or juice. They absorb quickly and let you adjust the dose easily.
  

• Powders: Often added to smoothies or warm drinks. If you’re already someone who blends up your breakfast, this is an easy addition.

Always follow the dosage instructions, and if you have any health concerns or are taking other supplements or treatments, talk to a healthcare provider first. 

Take It as a Shot

Maybe tea’s not your thing, and supplements feel like just another thing to remember. Enter: the wellness shot.

Taking licorice root in shot form is a quick, mess-free way to get the good stuff in — no boiling water, no pill organizer, no prep required. Just a small-but-mighty sip that fits into your day whether you're wrangling little ones, running between meetings, or just trying to remember where you left your phone (again).

That’s why we created Dose.

Our health supplements are made with clean, science-backed, holistic ingredients — including licorice root — to support everything from daily energy to digestion and skin health. No sugar, no sketchy fillers, and no fridge potions required. 

Try It as a Face Mask

Remember how we mentioned that licorice root supports skin health? While sipping, shooting, or supplementing is great, you can also go straight to the source — your face.

Licorice root contains compounds that have been studied for their calming and skin-supportive properties, and using it topically is a simple way to show your skin a little extra love. It’s an easy DIY moment that doesn’t require a degree in herbalism or a pantry full of ingredients.

Patch test first (especially if your skin’s been moody lately), and keep it to a few times a week.

How Long Until You Notice a Difference?

Like most natural ingredients, licorice root isn’t going to flip a switch overnight — and that’s a good thing. It tends to work best when used consistently over time, especially if you’re taking it to support digestion, skin health, or your immune system. 

Some people notice subtle shifts within a few days (like feeling less bloated or more balanced overall), but bigger changes may take a few weeks. For topical use, you might start to see improvements in tone or clarity in four to six weeks, depending on your skin and the formula.

As always, your body’s response can vary based on everything from sleep and stress to what else you’ve got going on in your routine.

The Bottom Line

So, what health benefits does licorice root bring to the table? It’s been used to support digestion, skin, stress, and more. However, like most things that actually work, it takes time and consistency. The trick is finding a format that fits your life so you’ll actually stick with it.

That’s where we come in. At Dose, we keep things simple: clean, functional ingredients in potent, science-backed doses. Some of our shots include plants like licorice root — others feature ingredients like turmeric, dandelion, or milk thistle. 

All of them are designed to support your everyday wellness routine without the guesswork. Just grab, sip, and go.

Sources:

Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety | NCCIH

Adaptogen - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Licorice Information | Mount Sinai 

Effects and cost of glycyrrhizin in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections | PMC