DGL Licorice Research & Evidence

SupplementScience.ai Editorial Team·Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Published Mar 11, 2026

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Evidence Level

Moderate

DGL has moderate clinical evidence for gastroprotection and ulcer support. The Morgan et al. (1985) comparison with cimetidine remains an important study showing DGL can maintain ulcer healing. The GutGard standardized extract has more recent clinical evidence for dyspepsia. DGL works by enhancing the stomach's natural defenses (mucus, blood flow, prostaglandins) rather than suppressing acid, making it complementary to acid-reducing medications. It is one of the most widely recommended natural gastroprotectants in integrative medicine.

Evidence by Condition

Condition	Studied Dose	Evidence
GERD/heartburn	380-760mg chewable before meals	Moderate
Gastric/duodenal ulcer support	760mg 3x daily before meals	Moderate
Functional dyspepsia	75-150mg GutGard twice daily	Moderate

Full DGL Licorice Guide

References

Morgan AG, McAdam WA, Pacsoo C, et al. (1985). Comparison between cimetidine and Caved-S in the treatment of gastric ulceration, and subsequent maintenance therapy. Gut. DOI PubMed
Raveendra KR, Jayachandra, Srinivasa V, et al. (2012). An extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) alleviates symptoms of functional dyspepsia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. DOI PubMed