Licorice Root, DHEA, and Estrogen: What Science Says About Hormone Balance

Can licorice root really help balance hormones, ease hot flashes, or improve energy? This traditional herb contains compounds that affect how your body handles cortisol, DHEA, and estrogen. But changing hormone activity is not the same as improving hormone balance.

Licorice root, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, has been used for centuries in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and European herbal traditions. Today, researchers are studying its effects on estrogen receptors, testosterone production, and the body’s stress-response system.

Some early findings are promising, particularly for menopause symptoms and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, human evidence remains limited, and regular licorice can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and interfere with medications. This guide explains what the research shows, where the claims go too far, and how to understand the differences between licorice supplements.

Key Takeaways

• Licorice affects several hormone pathways: Its compounds can change cortisol metabolism, influence estrogen receptors, and affect androgen production.
• Hormone balance is not guaranteed: Laboratory findings do not prove better energy, healthy DHEA levels, or improved hormone regulation in humans.
• Menopause research is preliminary: One small clinical trial found fewer hot flashes, but larger studies are needed.
• PCOS findings are encouraging but limited: Some studies report changes in testosterone and other hormone measures, but licorice is not an established PCOS treatment.
• Safety matters: Glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. DGL removes most of this compound but does not offer the same proposed hormonal actions.

Helpful Products at a Glance

For digestive concerns rather than hormone balance, Natural Factors DGL Chewable offers a deglycyrrhizinated form of licorice. It is not a treatment for menopause, PCOS, or low cortisol.

How Licorice Root Affects Cortisol, DHEA, and Estrogen

Licorice contains several plant chemicals that work differently in the body. Understanding these differences helps explain why one study might find an estrogen-related effect while another focuses on blood pressure or testosterone.

Three groups of compounds are especially important:

• Glycyrrhizin: Influences cortisol metabolism and the body’s control of salt, water, and potassium.
• Liquiritigenin: A plant flavonoid that can interact with estrogen receptors, especially estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta), in laboratory studies.
• Isoliquiritigenin: Another flavonoid that may influence estrogen signaling and hormone-production pathways in experimental models.

1. Cortisol: Why licorice changes stress-hormone activity

Cortisol helps regulate blood sugar, metabolism, inflammation, and the body’s response to stress. An enzyme called 11-beta-HSD2 normally converts active cortisol into a less active form called cortisone in certain tissues.

Glycyrrhizin is converted in the body into glycyrrhetinic acid, which inhibits this enzyme. As a result, cortisol can act more strongly on receptors involved in salt and water balance, particularly in the kidneys.

This does not mean licorice safely boosts healthy cortisol levels or improves morning energy. In fact, the same mechanism can cause fluid retention, high blood pressure, and potassium loss.

2. DHEA: Does licorice increase or decrease it?

DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands. The body can convert it into other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.

Licorice may affect DHEA metabolism, but results are not consistent. One experimental study reported increased salivary DHEA after licorice exposure, while another human study found a reduction in DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) in men.

These differences matter because DHEA and DHEA-S are related but distinct measurements. Neither finding proves that licorice reliably corrects low DHEA or improves hormone balance.

Research: Human study of licorice and sex-steroid hormones.

3. Estrogen: What ER-beta activity actually means

Estrogen works through several receptors, including ER-alpha and ER-beta. These receptors can produce different responses depending on the tissue and the chemical activating them.

Laboratory research suggests that liquiritigenin can activate ER-beta more selectively than ER-alpha. This has attracted interest because the two receptors play different roles in breast, reproductive, and other tissues.

However, ER-beta selectivity does not prove that licorice protects against breast cancer or is safe for people with estrogen-sensitive conditions. Studies involving isolated compounds cannot establish the long-term safety of whole-root supplements.

You can explore the research in this scientific review of botanicals and women’s health.

Can Licorice Root Help With Menopause and Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes happen when hormonal changes affect the body’s temperature-control system. They can cause sudden warmth, sweating, disrupted sleep, and discomfort during menopause.

Researchers have explored licorice because some of its compounds interact with estrogen signaling. The findings are interesting, but they are not strong enough to establish licorice as a reliable treatment.

What did the clinical trial find?

A randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 90 menopausal women examined licorice extract for hot flashes. Participants received either three 330 mg licorice-extract capsules daily or placebo capsules for eight weeks, followed by four weeks of observation.

The researchers reported reductions in hot-flash frequency and severity during treatment. Some improvements continued briefly after treatment ended, although symptoms could return during follow-up.

These findings have important limitations:

• The trial involved a relatively small group of women.
• Treatment lasted only eight weeks, so long-term outcomes remain uncertain.
• The results do not establish that other licorice formulations work equally well.
• The study was not large enough to establish long-term cardiovascular or hormone-sensitive tissue safety.

Source: Effects of licorice on relief and recurrence of menopausal hot flashes.

What works better for menopause symptoms?

For troublesome hot flashes, better-supported options are available. Depending on medical history and personal preference, these include menopausal hormone therapy, certain nonhormonal prescription medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and clinical hypnosis.

The Menopause Society’s 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement does not recommend herbal supplements as an established treatment for hot flashes because the evidence is insufficient or inconsistent.

Simple cooling measures, breathable clothing, and tracking personal triggers may improve comfort, although they are not proven replacements for effective treatment.

Licorice Root for Low Cortisol, Adrenal Support, and Energy

Feeling exhausted in the morning does not automatically mean your cortisol is low. Poor sleep, anemia, thyroid problems, depression, diabetes, medication effects, and other conditions can also cause fatigue.

Licorice is sometimes marketed for “adrenal fatigue” or HPA-axis support. The HPA axis is the communication system connecting the brain and adrenal glands. Although licorice affects cortisol metabolism, there is no convincing clinical evidence that taking it restores a healthy daily cortisol rhythm or treats ordinary tiredness.

People with confirmed adrenal insufficiency, including Addison’s disease, need established medical treatment. Licorice is not a substitute for prescribed hormone replacement, and its effects may interfere with treatment.

For persistent fatigue, a more useful starting point is to:

1. Review sleep quality, duration, and daily habits.
2. Eat regular, balanced meals and stay appropriately hydrated.
3. Include manageable physical activity without pushing through severe exhaustion.
4. Discuss persistent symptoms with a clinician to identify possible medical causes.
5. Avoid combining multiple hormone-related supplements without understanding their interactions.

The Endocrine Society’s adrenal insufficiency guidance explains how genuine cortisol deficiency is evaluated and treated.

Licorice Root for PCOS: Can It Lower Testosterone?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can involve irregular periods, acne, unwanted facial hair, fertility difficulties, and higher levels of androgens such as testosterone.

Licorice has drawn research interest because some of its compounds may affect enzymes involved in androgen production. However, changing a hormone measurement does not automatically improve every PCOS symptom.

What have human studies shown?

An early study involving nine healthy women found that testosterone levels decreased during licorice use and returned toward baseline after treatment stopped. The study was too small to establish licorice as a PCOS treatment.

Another study followed 32 women with PCOS and compared spironolactone alone with spironolactone plus licorice. The combined approach reduced some side effects related to spironolactone’s diuretic action. It did not establish that people should add licorice to their medication independently.

A newer randomized trial involving 66 women with PCOS examined licorice extract alongside a calorie-restricted diet for eight weeks. Researchers reported improvements in several hormone measures, including total testosterone, as well as sleep and other outcomes compared with the control group.

Although encouraging, this research still leaves important questions about long-term safety, optimal formulations, and whether laboratory improvements translate into lasting clinical benefits.

Read the spironolactone combination study and the newer randomized PCOS trial.

What about ovarian cysts and fertility?

There is not enough reliable human evidence to conclude that licorice shrinks ovarian cysts, restores ovulation, or improves pregnancy rates.

PCOS care generally works best when tailored to the person’s goals. Options may include:

• Regular movement and resistance training.
• Balanced meals with adequate protein and fiber.
• Sleep and weight-management support when appropriate.
• Medicines for menstrual regulation, acne, excess hair, or insulin resistance when indicated.
• Fertility treatment when pregnancy is the goal.

Do not combine licorice with spironolactone without a prescriber’s approval. Both can affect fluid balance and the body’s hormone-regulating systems.

Licorice Root Forms: Tea, Capsules, Tinctures, and DGL

Licorice supplements are not interchangeable. Their ingredients and processing can change both their effects and risks.

Before choosing a product, understand these four common forms:

• Licorice root tea: Contains plant compounds, potentially including glycyrrhizin. The amount varies with the ingredients, concentration, and brewing method. Tea is not automatically a low-risk daily option.
• Standardized capsules: May state the amount of root extract or glycyrrhizin, allowing clearer comparison. Standardization does not guarantee hormone-related benefits or safety.
• Tinctures: Liquid extracts with concentrations that vary by manufacturer. A few drops or milliliters cannot be assumed equivalent across products.
• DGL: Deglycyrrhizinated licorice, processed to remove most glycyrrhizin. It is generally marketed for digestive support, not hormone regulation.

When might DGL be worth considering?

Someone interested in licorice mainly for occasional digestive discomfort may prefer to ask about DGL rather than regular licorice. Removing most glycyrrhizin reduces concern about the particular blood pressure and potassium effects linked to that compound.

However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that the evidence for licorice alone in digestive symptoms remains unclear. DGL is not a proven cure for reflux, ulcers, or chronic stomach problems.

Natural Factors DGL Chewable, 90 Tablets is one example of this different formulation. Each chewable contains 400 mg of deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract according to the manufacturer. It is intended for digestive support and should not be confused with glycyrrhizin-containing products studied for hormone-related effects.

Why there is no universal hormone-balancing dose

Some small clinical trials used specific amounts of licorice extract, but these were study regimens, not established safe doses for general use.

A label showing 300 mg of extract does not tell you how much glycyrrhizin it contains unless the concentration is also provided. Products with similar extract weights can deliver very different amounts of active compounds.

Morning dosing, short courses, or scheduled breaks have not been shown to reliably prevent licorice-related blood pressure and potassium problems. For that reason, there is no well-established self-treatment schedule for menopause, PCOS, DHEA, or cortisol support.

Licorice Root Side Effects: Blood Pressure, Potassium, and Medication Risks

Glycyrrhizin is the main safety concern with regular licorice root. It can make the kidneys retain sodium and water while losing potassium, creating effects similar to excessive aldosterone activity. This condition is sometimes called pseudohyperaldosteronism.

What side effects should you watch for?

• High blood pressure: Blood pressure can rise even when a person feels normal.
• Fluid retention: Swelling may appear in the legs, ankles, or hands.
• Low potassium: Symptoms can include weakness, muscle cramps, and abnormal heart rhythms.
• Heart complications: Severe electrolyte disturbances can cause dangerous arrhythmias.
• Hormone-related changes: Licorice can affect cortisol activity and other steroid-hormone pathways, with unpredictable clinical consequences.

Is 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day safe?

Older guidance from a joint FAO/WHO expert committee suggested that 100 mg of glycyrrhizic acid per day would be unlikely to cause adverse effects in most adults, while acknowledging that some people are more sensitive.

But a 2024 randomized crossover trial found that 100 mg daily raised average home systolic blood pressure by approximately 3.1 mm Hg in healthy volunteers compared with a control period.

That means 100 mg should not be treated as a guaranteed safe daily limit. People with high blood pressure, kidney problems, or certain medication use may face problems at lower amounts.

Who should avoid glycyrrhizin-containing licorice?

Regular medicinal licorice is particularly concerning for people who:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, or low potassium.
• Have an irregular heartbeat or are at increased risk of arrhythmias.
• Take medicines that affect blood pressure, fluid balance, potassium, or cortisol.
• Have hormone-sensitive cancer or are undergoing hormone-related cancer treatment without specialist clearance.

Important medication concerns include diuretics, digoxin, corticosteroids, blood pressure medications, and other medicines affecting electrolytes or heart rhythm. Medication interactions vary, so a pharmacist should review the full medication and supplement list.

If you develop marked weakness, new swelling, or rising blood pressure while taking licorice, stop using it and seek medical assessment. Palpitations with fainting, chest pain, or severe weakness require urgent care.

For more details, see the NCCIH licorice root safety overview.

A Practical Approach to Menopause, PCOS, and Hormone Concerns

Instead of beginning with a licorice supplement, start by identifying the problem you want to address. Hot flashes, irregular periods, fatigue, and acne can have different causes and may need different treatments.

1. Identify your main symptom. Write down when it started, how often it happens, and how it affects sleep or daily life.
2. Look for possible causes. Persistent fatigue may warrant evaluation for anemia, thyroid disease, sleep problems, or other conditions rather than assuming low cortisol.
3. Use proven care as the foundation. Discuss established menopause or PCOS treatments suited to your symptoms, medical history, and goals.
4. Review herbs and supplements. Check ingredients, glycyrrhizin content, current medications, and possible interactions before adding anything.
5. Track meaningful changes. A short symptom diary can reveal patterns in hot flashes, sleep, menstrual cycles, energy, and medication responses.

Healthy sleep habits, regular activity, balanced nutrition, and stress-management practices can support overall wellbeing. They are useful alongside appropriate medical care, but they do not guarantee correction of a hormone disorder.

Avoid stacking several hormone-active herbs, such as licorice, ashwagandha, and rhodiola, simply because they are marketed for stress. Combining products makes side effects and interactions harder to recognize.

Conclusion: Does Licorice Root Really Balance Hormones?

Licorice root has measurable biological effects on cortisol metabolism, estrogen signaling, and some androgen pathways. Small human trials also suggest possible benefits for certain menopause and PCOS outcomes.

But the evidence does not establish licorice as a dependable treatment for hormonal imbalance, low energy, or adrenal dysfunction. Its effects on blood pressure and potassium make routine self-treatment especially difficult to justify.

The most useful next step is to identify the hormone-related symptom or condition first, then choose an evidence-based approach. Understanding what licorice can and cannot do helps you avoid unnecessary risks while making more informed decisions about supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does licorice root increase estrogen levels?

Not necessarily. Some licorice compounds can activate estrogen receptors in laboratory studies, but that does not mean taking licorice consistently increases blood estrogen levels. Human evidence is not sufficient to recommend it for low estrogen.

Can licorice lower DHEA or testosterone?

Some human studies report changes in DHEA-related measures or reduced testosterone, but results differ by study, sex, dose, and preparation. These findings do not establish a predictable hormone-lowering treatment.

Can people with high blood pressure take DGL?

DGL removes most of the glycyrrhizin responsible for licorice’s blood pressure effects. However, formulations vary, and DGL is not automatically risk-free. People with hypertension should check the product details and discuss supplement use with their clinician or pharmacist.

Is licorice root safe for people with breast cancer risk?

Its estrogen-receptor activity has not been shown to make licorice safe for people with estrogen-sensitive cancers. Anyone with a personal history of hormone-sensitive cancer should avoid using it for hormone effects unless their oncology team approves.

Can licorice root help with adrenal fatigue?

There is no convincing evidence that licorice treats ordinary fatigue by correcting cortisol rhythms. Persistent tiredness deserves evaluation for possible causes. Confirmed adrenal insufficiency requires established medical treatment.

Is licorice root tea safer than capsules?

Not automatically. Tea can contain glycyrrhizin, and its concentration varies. Capsules may provide clearer information about extract strength, but either form can cause problems depending on the amount consumed and individual risk factors.

How long does licorice take to affect hormones?

Some small studies have measured hormonal changes over several weeks, but there is no proven timeline for clinically meaningful hormone balance. Side effects, including blood pressure changes, can develop before any noticeable benefit.