Licorice Root

• Mucosal-protective effect. Licorice contains flavonoids and other compounds that appear to stimulate mucus production and strengthen the protective mucous layer of the stomach and esophagus, which can help protect irritated mucosa from acid. This is the primary rationale for using DGL (glycyrrhizin removed) for reflux and ulcer-type problems. Designs for Health
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Licorice constituents (e.g., liquiritigenin and related flavonoids) show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in lab and animal studies, which could reduce mucosal inflammation caused by reflux. MDPI Verywell Health
• Possible complementary effects on microbes/ulcers. Older trials and reviews show benefit for gastric ulcer healing and H. pylori inhibition in some settings; those findings underpin interest in reflux/GERD use (but ulcer data is stronger than reflux data). Designs for Health SpringerLink

(Key point: the proposed benefits are largely mucosal-protection and anti-inflammation rather than acid suppression the way PPIs or H2 blockers work.)

• Use the DGL form (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). Regular licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious adverse effects (see warnings). DGL has had glycyrrhizin removed and is the form commonly recommended for digestive use. IrritableBowelSyndrome.net NCCIH
• Typical dosing (commonly used in supplements / clinical practice): chewable DGL tablets ~300–400 mg taken 1–2 tablets ~15–20 minutes before meals, often 2–3 times daily (i.e., before main meals). Many product directions follow this pattern. Exact dose depends on product standardization. getlabtest.com Posivi
• Formulations: chewable DGL tablets or lozenges are most common (chewing helps release the mucilage). Some preparations combine DGL with other soothing herbs (slippery elm, marshmallow, aloe) — evidence for combinations is more mixed. US SpringerLink
• Duration: short-term use (weeks) is typical in studies and practice. Long-term use should be under medical supervision, especially if product quality or composition is uncertain. Medical News Today

Practical note: follow the label of the specific DGL product you buy; the single most common approach used in many articles and product sheets is to chew 1 tablet (≈300–400 mg) 15–20 minutes before meals.

Quality of evidence: evidence for DGL in gastric ulcers is stronger (several small randomized or controlled trials decades ago showed ulcer-healing effects). For GERD specifically, evidence is limited and mixed: small trials, observational studies, and a few modern pilot RCTs (sometimes using DGL in combination with other herbs) suggest possible symptom improvement, but large, high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically for GERD are lacking. Systematic reviews of natural products note potential but emphasize inconsistent methods and need for standardized trials. Designs for Health MDPI

Examples / representative studies/reviews:

• Older RCTs and reports showing DGL aiding gastric ulcer healing (example summaries and clinical reports). These support the mucosal-protective biological plausibility. Designs for Health SpringerLink
• A more recent randomized pilot/industry trials (e.g., small trials of standardized licorice extracts such as GutGard® or combination formulas) have reported reductions in dyspepsia/indigestion or reflux-type symptoms in short (≈28–30 day) studies — but many were small, sometimes used combination formulas, and replication is limited. Karger Nutrition by Erin
• Reviews of natural products for GERD note that while mechanisms are promising, evidence is inconsistent, trial sizes are small, and standardized dosing is often absent — so DGL cannot be said to be a proven replacement for established GERD therapies. MDPI SpringerLink

Summary on efficacy: DGL has biological plausibility and some positive small studies (stronger for ulcers than GERD). For GERD symptoms it may help some people, but robust, large RCT evidence proving it as an effective primary therapy for GERD is currently insufficient.