Licorice root has antiviral and anti-bacterial properties.
Some research suggests that licorice extracts, DGL and carbenoxolone may provide benefits for treating cankers sores. Canker sores are painful mouth sores that can last a week before clearing up. DGL is deglycyrrhizinated licorice.
DGL has anti-inflammatory properties. It speed the healing process and soothes the discomfort of canker sores.
Indian researchers asked 20 people with canker sores to use a DGL mouth wash. Fifteen of them (75%) experienced substantial relief after one day and complete healing by the third day.
Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle applied an adhesive patch infused with licorice root extract over the canker sores of one group of study participants, applied a placebo patch to a second group and gave no treatment to a third.
After four days, 81 percent the licorice group reported no pain, compared 65 percent of those who received the placebo and 40 percent of those who received no treatment.
Licorice and canker sores
