Licorice Root During Pregnancy: How to Use Licorice Root for Pregnancy-Related Conditions
As a pregnancy-friendly herb, Licorice Root can be a woman's best friend throughout gestation. This pain-relieving, inflammation-reducing herb can be used to cure many pregnancy-related conditions.
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Licorice root is a medicinal herb that has been in use for over 2,500 years in both Traditional Chinese medicine and in Ayurveda. It has an impressive range of medicinal actions on the body and while many sources say that licorice root should not be administered during pregnancy, in fact, this herb is a foundational treatment for pregnant women in Ayurvedic medicine. It is often combined with other herbs such as Amla or Tribulus Terrestris in Ayurveda to prevent common disorders in pregnancy and to safely relieve aches and pains.
Licorice root must be used with some caution during pregnancy and patients must pay attention to their daily dose because it can, in some women, cause high blood pressure and pseudohyperaldosteronism. But licorice root is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine, so it makes sense that pregnant women might consume this sweet and flavorful spice accidentally in India, China, or in other countries that use this herb regularly as a food-spice. Lydian and I spent a lot of time researching licorice root when she became pregnant in part because she needed a powerful natural painkiller and a medicine that could kill infection as well as potentiate other herbs. We knew that licorice root was extremely useful in the treatment of pain, in combination with other herbs as a potentiating medicine, and as a treatment for infection, but the scientific literature seemed to indicate that this herb isn’t safe for use during pregnancy.
But the scientific literature regarding herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals that are safe for use during pregnancy isn’t particularly reliable. For example, while low-dose aspirin (60-100 mg) is prescribed by doctors to pregnant women to take throughout pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia and certain abnormal clotting issue during pregnancy, a slightly higher dose of aspirin can cause serious problems in a newborn baby including the risk of premature closure of a vessel in the baby’s heart. All NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, or diclofenac can cause there to be lower-than-normal levels of amniotic fluid. Yet, despite studies showing these serious risks to an unborn baby, low-dose aspirin continues to be prescribed during pregnancy. There are studies that support the use of aspirin, a Big Pharma drug, and there are a number of Big Pharma web sites that support the use of low-dose aspirin during pregnancy. A doctor who prescribes low-dose aspirin during pregnancy combined with all this well-funded propaganda creates a sheen of safety over the administration of aspirin during pregnancy. Meanwhile, licorice root is demonized over and over again online in terms of its use during pregnancy.
But licorice root is a natural plant-medicine and it’s used as a spice in many Asian and Indian dishes which means that pregnant women consume it, often by accident without negative effects. In food, licorice root is added in low doses (well under 500 mg per day), so we have to be mindful of this fact when we talk about the safety of licorice root during pregnancy.
Let’s compare the idea of a very common, natural food-ingredient like licorice root in Indian food with another common, unnatural food ingredient found in American foods: trans fats. Though trans fats have a horrible reputation for causing serious problems for both mother and child during pregnancy according to the science, it’s nearly impossible to find any pre-packaged food in the grocery store that doesn’t contain these unnatural ingredients. Pregnant women are not warned about the potential adverse effects of trans fats on their own health or on the health of their unborn baby. Big Food does not take responsibility for such things. Indeed, one could argue that the presence of trans fats has been systematically put in place to harm unborn babies so that they become patients of Big Pharma as soon as possible after their birth.
So the logic here regarding whether or not licorice root is safe consists of a few premises despite the propaganda about this particular herbal medicine:
- Licorice root is an herb that has been used as a medicine for thousands of years in Asia and India to treat pregnant women.
- Licorice root is found in low to moderate doses in common foods that pregnant women often eat in Asia and India as well as in the United States and Europe.
- Licorice root has been demonized by Big Pharma-funded studies, while aspirin (a Big Pharma drug) has been given the green light despite its potential to cause serious birth defects.
- Big Pharma-funded studies cannot be trusted to give us accurate information about medicinal agents during pregnancy because the information that they fund and propagate is provided with profit-centric motives, rather than with the motivation to protect mothers and their babies.
- Licorice root is a powerful pain reliever and inflammation-reducer that works better than NSAIDs even at low doses.
- Pain and inflammation that goes unchecked raises a woman’s cortisol levels which can be harmful for both mother and child. Arguably, high cortisol levels due to chronic, unchecked pain or discomfort is toxic and thus has to be balanced against the supposed toxicity of certain herbs that Big Pharma recommends against taking during pregnancy. A natural herb like licorice root can help women feel less pain and experience less inflammation throughout pregnancy to lower their cortisol levels and though Big Pharma claims that this herb is toxic, studies have shown that many women throughout the world take licorice root during pregnancy without negative effects.
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Licorice Root: Natural Pain Relief During Pregnancy
So, we’ve established the idea that Big Pharma is not a trusted information resource in our above discussion, but just because we can’t trust the scientific literature that’s been funded by Big Pharma doesn’t automatically mean that licorice root is safe during pregnancy. Because this herb has a long history of use during pregnancy in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, we were able to reference some of the written data about the herb through these disciplines. But again, Lydian and I are not just doing this research to write a book – we’re doing this research to find herbs that Lydi can use herself during her pregnancy. So we’re doing this research with great care.This is our situation:
At the moment when Lydian needs a pain-reliever, we can only choose from the options that we know exist. Pain waits for no man and if the pain is, for example a headache, or round ligament pain and it’s bad enough that Lydian can’t sleep, then there isn’t a lot of time to vet out the options. Pain can make each moment into an eternity.
These days, most women are only aware of pain-relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. And doctors often give women the green light to take these medications during pregnancy even though they should be contraindicated. Acetaminophen, for example, is particularly hard on a patient’s kidneys and since the kidneys are only second to the uterus in terms of importance during pregnancy, acetaminophen should generally be avoided. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs cause problems like fetal growth restriction and low amniotic fluid levels. Aspirin, if taken at the wrong moment in the third trimester, can cause the baby’s heart to be malformed. So these medicines, though widely known and widely recommended by doctors, are hardly safe for use during pregnancy.
But, as a pregnant woman, if you develop back pain, cystitis, or sciatica and you happen to know that licorice root is a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine that relieves pain and you do a search on Google to find out if licorice root is safe for use during pregnancy, the top results will say definitively, that no, it’s not. Yet the reality is, licorice root has been in use for thousands of years by pregnant women. It works better than NSAIDs and better than acetaminophen and it treats not just the symptom of pain, but the root cause of disease. If you’re lucky enough to know about licorice root as a pain reliever when you become pregnant, you need to know that there is logic behind the use of licorice root over NSAIDs and acetaminophen for pain during pregnancy.
In Ayurvedic medicine, licorice root (known by various names like Yashtimadhu or Mulethi) is often administered even in the first trimester with other herbs to prevent and treat common pregnancy-related problems like nausea, pain or discomfort, and fatigue. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice root (known as Gan Cao), is known for its ability to harmonize the properties of other herbs and tonify spleen qi. Gan Cao relieves spasms and alleviates pain throughout the body including in the digestive system. It clears heat, gets rid of toxins, and works as an antidote against toxins. It generally reinforces qi during pregnancy. Some say that 9 out of 10 herbal remedies that are used during pregnancy in Traditional Chinese Medicine contain licorice root / Gan Cao.
The Conditions of Pregnancy Living Database, BETA Release - NOW AVAILABLE! Click here to learn more...Ayurvedic Studies into the Use of Licorice Root During Pregnancy
Below are two Yashtimadhu / licorice root combination uses that are recommended during pregnancy in Ayurvedic medicine. Both of them combine licorice root with another herbal medicine.
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Study #1: Tribulus terrestris and Glycyrrhiza glabra
In the first study, researchers worked with 60 pregnant women ages 18 to 35 years who were between 6-10 weeks gestation. The goal of this study was to observe the positive effects of the herbal combination in terms of common pregnancy-related conditions. Each pregnant woman was randomly assigned to a different treatment group:- Group 1: Treatment begins at the start of the 2nd trimester
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- Madhuyashti / Licorice Root - 500 mg twice daily
- Tribulus Terrestris / Gokshura - 500 mg twice daily
- Folic Acid - 5 mg once daily
- Iron - 150 mg
- Calcium - 1000 mg
- Group 2: Treatment begins during the 1st trimester
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- Folic acid - 5 mg
- Iron - 150 mg
- Calcium - 1000 mg
In the study, the participants who received the licorice root and Tribulus terrestris combination treatment experienced relief from the following pregnancy-related symptoms:
- Poor appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn / Acid Reflux
- Poor motility of the digestive tract
- Stasis of food in the digestive tract
- Constipation
Licorice Root / Yashtimadhu and Indian Gooseberry / Amla in Ayurvedic Medicine
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry or Emblica officinalis, is safe for use during pregnancy and it is often combined with licorice root to enhance and harmonize its effects. Amla is a nutritive herb that contains a number of vitamins and other nutrients. Amla is a key ingredient in a number of Ayurvedic medicines that are used during pregnancy.Women who are suffering from pain in any part of the body during pregnancy might benefit from the herbal combination that includes both licorice root and amla. Together, licorice root and amla also work to reduce fatigue, prevent edema, control nausea, and prevent constipation. This herb is detoxifying and it benefits the fetal neurological system.
By itself, Amla is usually administered in a dose of 1 teaspoon or less daily during pregnancy (about 1000 mg per day). When taken by itself, without licorice root, Amla offers the following medicinal benefits:
- Improves immunity
- Amla contains high levels of vitamin C.
- Prevents constipation
- The high fiber content helps to regularize bowel movements during pregnancy.
- Aids in lactation after delivery
- Improves digestion
- Reduces symptoms of indigestions or acid reflux by stimulating gastric juice production to properly digest food.
- Maintains a healthy blood pressure
- Amla dilates blood vessels to balance blood pressure levels.
- Controls nausea
- The sweet and sour taste is helpful in controlling nausea during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Prevents fatigue
- Amla has energizing properties.
- Prevents edema
- As an anti-inflammatory, amla can get rid of edema and swelling.
- Detoxifies the body
- Amla has a diuretic action on the body to help flush out toxins.
- Reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes
- Amla has anti-diabetic effects
- Boosts baby’s memory and cognition
- Amla enhances fetal neurological development.
- Promotes oral health
- The high vitamin C content plays a role in treating bleeding gums during pregnancy.
When administering Amla as a tea by itself, dosing is as follows:
Amla / Indian Gooseberry / Emblica officinalis: 1000 mg (500 mg given twice daily)
Amla and Licorice Root as an Herbal Combination
Licorice root has a potentiating and harmonizing effect when it’s included in herbal combinations. As such, during pregnancy, women should consider starting with low doses of licorice root at first in combination with Amla to find the dose that works best for them. The maximum daily dose of licorice root is 1000 mg per day during pregnancy, but many pregnant women can find relief from pain, nausea, or constipation with an herbal combination that contains only 250 mg of licorice root.Amla is often combined with licorice root in Ayurvedic medicine to treat common pregnancy-related complaints. Administer Licorice Root / Glycyrrhiza glabra powder with Amla powderat a dose of 1000 mg Amla and 500 mg licorice root. Women should take potassium supplements (at least 300 mg per day) and magnesium glycinate supplements (at least 600 mg per day) to offset the potential loss of potassium that happens when administering licorice root. Monitor your blood pressure to ensure that it stays within the normal range during treatment.
Licorice Root During Pregnancy in Alternative Medicine
In Ayurvedic medicine, a pregnant woman is referred to as a gabhini. The goal of Ayurveda is to enhance the outcomes of both mother and child and to relieve ailments and pains in the pregnant woman. There are several words in several different Indian languages that mean “licorice root” or Glycyrrhiza glabra. These include:- Yashtimadhu / Madhuyasti
- Mulethi
In Traditional Chinese medicine, licorice root is known as Gan Cao. Licorice root in Traditional Chinese Medicine is regarded with the same high level of importance as licorice root in Ayurvedic Medicine as we note above.
In Ayurvedic medicine, practitioners add the licorice root to ghee to facilitate the entry of Glycyrrhizin (a medicinal substance found in licorice root) through the cell membrane. Without the ghee, licorice root has poor membrane penetration of human cells. On the other hand, when combined with ghee, licorice root is able to penetrate the cell membrane to produce medicinal effects on the mitochondria, microsome, and nuclear membrane.
Licorice Root Medicinal Action:
As the name “licorice root” implies, the root of this plant is a major source of the medicinal agents found in the plant, but the stolon is also useful. Licorice root produces a wide array of secondary metabolites with powerful medicinal effects on the human body.
Licorice root has the following medicinal effects:
- Anti-cancer
- Antimicrobial
- Antiviral
- Antitussive (cough medicine)
- Demulcent (soothing or softening)
- Expectorant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antidiabetic
- Ulcer treatment
- Immunoregulatory
- Hepatoprotective
- Neuroprotective
- Adrenocortico-hormone-like activity
- Anti-spasmodic
- Immunomodulatory
- Adrenal tonic
- Restorative
- Mild laxative
- Liver Protector
- Anti-tumor
- Normalizes the hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal system. Supports ovarian function. Calms inflammation in the body. Helps other herbs combine harmoniously in a mix.
Diseases and Disorders That Can Be Treated Using Licorice Root
- Pain
- Digestive system pain
- Inflammation in the digestive system
- Inflammation due to urinary tract infection
- Cystitis / Bladder pain or discomfort
- Constipation
- Herpes
- Gestational Diabetes
- Common Cold
- COVID-19
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Other upper respiratory infections
- Cough
- Fever
- Bronchial Asthma
- Cancer treatment during pregnancy
- Gout
- Wounds
- Erysipelas
- Poisoning
- Eye disease
- Skin disease
- Abscess
- Low Libido
- Edema
- Fluid Retention
- Stomach Ulcer
- Intestinal Ulcer
- Arthritis
- Kidney Disease
- Heart Disease
- Mouth Ulcer
- Excessive Salivation
- Low Blood Pressure
- Allergies
- Liver Toxicity
- Hyperglycemia
- Addison's Disease
- Pancreatic Disorders
- Gas / Flatulence
- Sexual Debility
- Skin Disease
- Leucorrhea
- Hoarseness
- Hysteria
- Irritability
- Epilepsy
- Eczema
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Poor Memory
Licorice Root Dosing:
Women with hypertension should avoid licorice root including women with preeclampsia, impaired cardiac or renal function, liver disease, anorexia nervosa , or with potassium depleting drugs.
Administer 1-3 grams daily as an herbal tea or decoction. Use lower doses if you intend to take licorice root long term. As a tincture, you can administer licorice root at 0.7-1.5 mL per day during pregnancy.
For some diseases and disorders, licorice root can be administered in oil or fat-soluble preparations.
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Resources:
• Sabbadin, C. et al. (2019). Licorice: From Pseudohyperaldosteronism to Therapeutic Uses. Retrieved May 17, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657287/
• Yang, R. et al. (2016). The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice, a widely used Chinese herb. Retrieved May 17, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7012004/
• Agrawal, T. et al. (2018). Effect of Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) powder in minor ailment of pregnancy on women. Retrieved May 28, 2023 from https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2018/vol7issue3/PartAK/7-3-495-702.pdf
• PlanetAyurveda (n.d.). Yashtimadhu / Licorice Root / Glycyrrhiza glabra. Retrieved May 28, 2023 from https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/yastimadhu-glycyrrhiza-glabra/
• Jiang, M. et al. (2020). An “essential herbal medicine” – Licorice: A review of phytochemicals and its effects in combination preparations. Retrieved May 28, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31811935/
• Volqvartz, T. et al. (2019). Use of alternative medicine, ginger, and licorice among Danish pregnant women–a prospective cohort study. Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320632/
Mamedov, N. A. and Egamberdieva, D. (2019). Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Licorice: A Review. Retrieved June 3, 2023 from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_1
• Shang, Z. et al. (2022). Chemical analysis of the Chinese herbal medicine licorice (Gan-Cao): An update review. Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36067839/
• Acupuncture Fertility Specialists. (2018). Use of Herbal Medicine in Pregnancy. Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://acupuncture4fertility.com/use-of-herbal-medicine-in-pregnancy/
• Bhattachariee, D. (2020). Eating Amla During Pregnancy – Benefits, How to Eat & More. Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/amla-during-pregnancy-benefits-how-to-eat-more/
• Baliga, M. S. and Dsouza, J. J. (2011). Amla ( Emblica officinalis Gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21317655/
• Jitendra, S. H. et al. (2020). A Comprehensive Review on Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.) From Brihattrayi with Special Reference to Kalpana. Retrieved May 29, 2023 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342478207_A_COMPREHENSIVE_REVIEW_ON_YASHTIMADHU_GLYCYRRHIZA_GLABRA_LINN_FROM_BRIHATTRAYI_WITH_SPECIAL_REFERENCE_TO_KALPANA
• Prajapati, S. et al. (2015). Therapeutic Potential of Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.) in Bruhat-Trayi and Laghu-Trayi: A Review. Retrieved June 3, 2023 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281555787_Therapeutic_Potential_of_Yashtimadhu_Glycyrrhiza_glabra_Linn_in_Bruhat-Trayi_and_Laghu-Trayi-A_Review
Mamedov, N. A. and Egamberdieva, D. (2019). Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Licorice: A Review. Retrieved June 3, 2023 from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_1
