Mulethi (Licorice - Ayurvedic) for Digestive Health

Research suggests that mulethi (licorice) has been studied fairly extensively in the context of digestive health, with findings spanning gastric ulcer protection, inflammatory bowel conditions, gut microbiota modulation, and antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. Studies indicate that specific licorice compounds — including glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin apioside, and various flavonoids — may support the gastric mucosal barrier, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the colon, and help restore intestinal integrity through multiple proposed biological pathways. However, the current body of evidence is composed predominantly of laboratory studies, animal models, and narrative reviews, with very limited human clinical trial data, meaning that findings cannot yet be reliably extrapolated to human use with confidence. Some studies also examined licorice as part of multi-ingredient formulations or traditional herbal combinations rather than as an isolated agent, and at least one review flags toxicological considerations worth noting, underscoring that while the preclinical evidence is broadly supportive, more rigorous human research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.