Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice: A Complete Medical Overview

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is a form of licorice root processed to remove most of the compound linked to blood pressure and potassium problems. It is commonly used for upper digestive discomfort, but its benefits, safety, and suitability depend on a person’s symptoms, medical history, and other medicines.

Overview: what deglycyrrhizinated licorice is

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is a preparation made from licorice root in which most of the compound called glycyrrhizin has been removed. Glycyrrhizin is the ingredient in whole licorice that is most strongly associated with side effects such as raised blood pressure, fluid retention, and low potassium. By reducing this component, manufacturers aim to create a product that may be gentler for people seeking digestive support.

In everyday use, deglycyrrhizinated licorice is often shortened to DGL. It is sold as chewable tablets, capsules, powders, and teas, and is commonly marketed for upper digestive symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, and a burning or irritated stomach. Some people also use it as a complementary approach when they have symptoms related to gastritis or non-ulcer dyspepsia, although a symptom label does not replace a medical diagnosis.

It is important to understand that DGL is a supplement rather than a standard prescription treatment. This means product strength, processing, and purity can differ between brands. For that reason, it should be viewed as one part of a broader care plan, not as a substitute for a proper evaluation when symptoms are ongoing or severe.

How it may work in the digestive system

Researchers believe deglycyrrhizinated licorice may support the natural protective lining of the stomach and upper digestive tract. Rather than simply reducing acid like many reflux medicines do, DGL is thought to encourage mucus production and help maintain the barrier that protects the lining from irritation. This is one reason it is often discussed differently from standard antacids or acid-suppressing medicines.

Some laboratory and older clinical studies suggest that licorice-derived compounds may help soothe inflamed tissue and support healing in the stomach lining. However, the quality of evidence is mixed, and modern large-scale trials are limited. That means DGL may be helpful for some people, but it cannot be relied on as a proven stand-alone therapy for all digestive complaints.

This distinction matters because heartburn, upper abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and burping can have many causes. Symptoms may reflect simple dietary irritation, but they can also occur with reflux, ulcers, medication-related stomach injury, gallbladder disease, or other gastrointestinal conditions. When symptoms persist, medical assessment is more useful than repeated self-treatment alone.

Possible uses and what the evidence suggests

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is most often used for indigestion, upper abdominal discomfort, and reflux-type symptoms. Some people report relief when chewing DGL before meals or at times of symptom flares, especially if they feel burning, fullness, or irritation in the upper stomach. It may also be considered by people who are trying to support the stomach lining while a clinician evaluates the cause of symptoms.

Even so, evidence for DGL should be described carefully. It may have a role as a complementary measure for mild digestive symptoms, but it is not considered a definitive treatment for acid reflux or peptic ulcer disease. People with diagnosed ulcers, recurrent reflux, or ongoing abdominal pain often need targeted treatment, which may include testing, prescription medicines, or treatment of an underlying infection such as Helicobacter pylori.

Situations where DGL is sometimes discussed include:

• Mild indigestion or non-specific upper abdominal discomfort
• Occasional heartburn or throat irritation after meals
• Stomach lining irritation linked to diet or stress
• Complementary symptom support alongside clinician-directed care

Because symptoms overlap across many conditions, the main question is not only whether DGL might help, but whether the right diagnosis has been made. When a person has frequent reflux, recurrent vomiting, black stools, or difficulty swallowing, medical testing is more important than adding another supplement.

Safety, side effects, and who should be cautious

Removing glycyrrhizin may reduce the best-known risks of whole licorice, but deglycyrrhizinated licorice should still be used thoughtfully. Side effects can include stomach upset, nausea, bloating, or sensitivity to other ingredients in the product. Because supplements are not identical across brands, excipients, sweeteners, and herbal blends can also affect tolerability.

People should be especially cautious if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or take multiple medicines. Even products labeled as DGL may not remove glycyrrhizin completely, and some licorice-containing supplements are not standardized in the same way. Individuals who are sensitive to licorice or have had electrolyte problems in the past should avoid self-prescribing.

Drug interactions are another reason for medical guidance. Licorice-containing products may interact with medicines that affect blood pressure, fluid balance, potassium levels, blood clotting, or steroid pathways. Anyone taking diuretics, corticosteroids, digoxin, anticoagulants, or regular medicines for chronic illness should ask a clinician or pharmacist before starting DGL.

Children, older adults, and people with complex medical histories should not assume that a “natural” product is automatically safer than standard treatment. A supplement can still cause harm if it delays diagnosis, interacts with medicine, or is used for symptoms that need a different approach.

Diagnosis matters: when digestive symptoms need evaluation

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice may be discussed for symptom relief, but it does not diagnose the reason those symptoms are happening. If heartburn, upper abdominal pain, nausea, or bloating keep coming back, a doctor may ask about eating patterns, weight changes, bowel habits, alcohol intake, smoking, stress, and current medicines such as anti-inflammatory pain relievers. A focused history often helps clarify whether symptoms fit indigestion, reflux, ulcer disease, or another gastrointestinal condition.

Depending on the situation, evaluation may include blood tests, stool tests, testing for H. pylori, or imaging. Some people also need endoscopy to look directly at the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine, especially when symptoms are persistent or accompanied by warning signs. This is often important when clinicians need to assess conditions such as stomach ulcer disease or complications of reflux.

If symptoms suggest significant reflux, ulcer disease, or another structural problem, a specialist may recommend treatments beyond supplements. For selected patients, evaluation may involve endoscopy to identify inflammation, ulcers, narrowing, bleeding, or other causes of persistent discomfort. Proper diagnosis helps ensure that treatment targets the condition rather than only the symptom.

Treatment options beyond supplements

For mild digestive symptoms, care often starts with practical measures such as meal timing changes, reducing trigger foods, limiting alcohol, and avoiding tobacco. If symptoms are frequent, doctors may recommend antacids, alginate-based products, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors, depending on the pattern and severity of complaints. These treatments work differently from DGL and may be more appropriate when acid-related symptoms are regular or disruptive.

When ulcer disease or gastritis is diagnosed, treatment depends on the cause. If H. pylori infection is present, eradication therapy is usually needed. If symptoms are related to anti-inflammatory medicines, the plan may include stopping or changing the offending drug and protecting the stomach lining. In these settings, DGL might be discussed only as a complementary measure, not a replacement for evidence-based treatment.

People with severe or complicated reflux may require specialist care and, in selected cases, procedural treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, a clinician may discuss options linked to gastroenterology care or more targeted reflux management. The best plan depends on symptom pattern, test results, and overall health.

Near the end of the care pathway, some patients benefit from multidisciplinary evaluation, especially when symptoms are long-standing or difficult to classify. Acibadem International’s multidisciplinary specialists and JCI-accredited hospitals diagnose and treat digestive conditions for international patients, with treatment decisions guided by standard medical assessment rather than supplement use alone.

Self-care tips and practical guidance for use

Anyone considering deglycyrrhizinated licorice should first think about the symptom pattern. Occasional, mild discomfort after a heavy or spicy meal is different from daily heartburn, nighttime symptoms, or pain that wakes a person from sleep. Keeping a short symptom diary can help identify food triggers, meal timing issues, stress patterns, and whether symptoms are truly improving.

Helpful self-care measures often include eating smaller meals, avoiding lying down soon after eating, limiting trigger foods, reducing excess caffeine or alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight if advised by a doctor. For reflux symptoms, elevating the head of the bed may help some people. These steps are often more effective when used consistently than when they are tried only during symptom flares.

If a person chooses to try DGL, it is sensible to select a reputable product and use it only after checking for interactions and medical reasons to avoid licorice-derived supplements. It should not be combined casually with multiple herbal products for the same symptoms, because this can make side effects or interactions harder to recognize. If symptoms continue despite self-care and short-term measures, clinical evaluation is the safer next step.

When to seek medical care

Medical advice is important if digestive symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep returning, or interfere with eating, sleep, or daily life. A doctor should also assess symptoms that begin after starting a new medicine, especially anti-inflammatory pain medicines, iron supplements, or drugs known to irritate the stomach.

Urgent medical care is needed for warning signs such as vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, fainting, severe dehydration, or sudden intense abdominal pain. Unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, anemia, or a feeling that food gets stuck are also important reasons not to rely on supplements alone.

For people with established digestive disorders, new or worsening symptoms may require reassessment rather than simply trying another over-the-counter remedy. Prompt evaluation helps rule out complications and ensures that treatment matches the underlying condition.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between deglycyrrhizinated licorice and regular licorice?

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice has had most of its glycyrrhizin removed. This is important because glycyrrhizin is the component most associated with blood pressure increases, fluid retention, and low potassium. DGL is usually used for digestive support rather than as a sweetener or confectionery ingredient.

Can deglycyrrhizinated licorice help with heartburn?

It may help some people with mild upper digestive irritation or occasional reflux-type symptoms, but evidence is limited and mixed. It should not replace medical evaluation for frequent heartburn, chest discomfort, or symptoms that continue despite lifestyle changes. Persistent reflux may need diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Is deglycyrrhizinated licorice safe for everyone?

No. Although it may be safer than whole licorice in some respects, it can still interact with medicines and may not be suitable for people with certain heart, kidney, liver, or blood pressure conditions. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals and anyone taking regular prescription medicines should ask a clinician before using it.

Can DGL treat an ulcer?

DGL should not be considered a definitive treatment for an ulcer. Ulcers may be caused by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection or anti-inflammatory medicines, and those causes often need specific medical treatment. A supplement may sometimes be used as a complementary measure, but diagnosis comes first.

How long should someone use deglycyrrhizinated licorice?

There is no single answer that fits everyone because products differ and symptoms have different causes. If a person is considering short-term use, it is wise to review it with a doctor or pharmacist first and avoid long-term self-treatment without a diagnosis. Ongoing symptoms should be medically assessed rather than repeatedly managed with supplements.

What symptoms mean a person should stop self-treating and see a doctor?

A doctor should assess symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, vomiting, black stools, blood in vomit, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, or symptoms that disturb sleep. Frequent heartburn, repeated nausea, or pain that returns after meals also deserve medical attention. These signs can point to conditions that need testing rather than home treatment alone.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.