Licorice Extract (DGL or Rhizinate)

Use of Licorice Extract
(DGL or Rhizinate)
In the Treatment Of Gastritis and Ulcer Disease

Certain types of plant extract, including licorice, contain compounds called flavonoids and other similarly structured phytochemicals that provide mucin-based protection against inflammation and injury to the gastric mucosa. Although whole licorice root is generally used in the treatment of some types of chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, fibromyalgia and hypoadrenal function, this type of whole root preparation is not traditionally used in the treatment of gastric inflammation.

Whole licorice extracts contain an active ingredient called glycyrrhizic acid that can inhibit the liver's ability to degrade cortisol that is produced in the adrenal glands. This is a help to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who have low normal cortisol output. However, when treating digestive disturbance, extracts of licorice that are deglycyrrhizinated are the preferred forms of supplementation. The deglycyrrhizinated licorice extracts allow patients to avoid the typical clinical side effects involved with altering adrenal metabolism.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL or Rhizinate) has been used in numerous clinical studies in the treatment of digestive disturbance, such as irritable bowel, infectious processes (including Helicobacter pylori), peptic and gastric ulcer disease, aphthous ulcers, and oral ulcers secondary to chemotherapy. The mechanism of action of these preparations is the enhancement of the digestive tract's ability to secrete a protective barrier that buffers it from the harsh acidic and alkaline environments of the digestive tract. Breakdown of this normal barrier, which can be accelerated in times of emotional stress and with the use of various drugs (such as Theophylline and anti-inflammatories), is one of the key components in the development of chronic digestive disorders.

Most of the compounds mentioned here are available at health food stores. Oral supplements containing DGL are often combined with other types of herbs traditionally used to support the digestive process, such as fennel, dried extracts of plantain bananas, standardized extracts of ginger and other types of flavonoids (such as rutin), all of which are designed to act synergistically.

The only side effects of such preparations are occasional gastric upset and loose stools.

The chewable versions of DGL, such as Rhizinate, have a very strong licorice flavor. For those who like the flavor of licorice, this type of treatment presents no particular problem. If an individual finds the flavor offensive, it is possible to use capsules that are swallowed, rather than chewed. However, chewing the Rhizinate wafers, which releases the active therapeutic components in the mouth, is a must in the treatment of aphthous ulcers of the oral cavity or oral or mouth irritation. In those situations, one is unfortunately forced to deal with the sometimes less than palatable taste of licorice. The doses of these products vary, depending on type and condition being treated.

Please contact the Advanced Medical Center if you have any further questions that were not covered at the time of your visit.

Dale Guyer, M.D.