- How Does Licorice Work?
- Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, has been used
for over 3,000 years, making it one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in history.*
Licorice naturally contains 10 triterpenes and 22 different flavonoids, which are believed
to be responsible for its benefits.*1
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- Licorice has been used as a highly effective
alternative to antacids and acid-blocking drugs. By comparison, licorice works not by
inhibiting acid production, but rather through supporting and stimulating the
stomach’s natural protective mechanisms.*2 Stomach discomfort is usually attributed
to an imbalance between acid secretion and the stomach’s ability to protect itself
against the irritation caused by acid. The presence of harmful bacteria can also be a
factor. The stomach’s primary defense against corrosive gastric acid is a fine layer
of mucin, secreted by millions of mucosal cells that line the stomach wall. Licorice has
been shown to stimulate both the secretion of mucin and the formation of new mucosal
cells, probably through its ability to increase blood flow to mucosal tissue.*2 In
addition to supporting a normal chemical balance, licorice has also been shown to help
inhibit the growth of potentially harmful intestinal bacteria, such as Helicobacter
pylori.*3
A double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial reported that 16 people with significant stomach discomfort showed an average
improvement of 78% when given 360 mg of DGL thrice daily, compared to 34% in the placebo
group.*4 Other trials have compared DGL to prescription drugs showing that 760 mg DGL 3
times daily is as effective as the popular prescription drug cimetidine.*5
What Exactly Does
‘DGL’ Mean?
DGL stands for De-Glycyrrhizinated
Licorice. Licorice contains a naturally occurring substance known as glycyrrhizin.
When consumed, glycyrrhizin has been shown to increase blood pressure and water
retention.6 Since the glycyrrhizin is removed, Nature’s
Life Chewable DGL tablets do not cause these potentially harmful side effects.
