Licorice Root (Dgl) for Acid Reflux And Heartburn

Research suggests that deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) shows some promising evidence for reducing acid reflux and heartburn symptoms, with two randomized controlled trials — including a 2025 Phase III RCT testing a standardized DGL extract and a 2015 RCT evaluating a licorice-containing gum — both reporting significant symptom improvement compared to placebo. Supporting this, a preclinical study and a case report reference licorice preparations for their cytoprotective and antacid properties, lending some mechanistic plausibility to these findings. However, a 2019 review of complementary remedies for esophageal symptoms cautioned that robust clinical evidence for herbal treatments including licorice remains limited overall, and a 2025 systematic review of plant-based digestive supplements found that most health claims in this category rely more on traditional use than rigorous scientific data. Taken together, the available evidence is directionally positive but still emerging, and larger, independent trials would be needed to draw firm conclusions about DGL's effectiveness for acid reflux and heartburn.