Review Detail

As a long-term chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) sufferer and having had adrenal stress index (ASI) results suggesting low morning cortisol was a possible explanation for my increasing difficulty waking up and getting going in the mornings, I decided to try a short trial of a licorice root supplement.

I took a modest dosage of 250mg/day of a supplement with glycyrrhizin content standardized to 20% for one week. The effect was rapid and pronounced. Within a couple of days I was waking up early, feeling full of energy. I found the sense of energy lasted throughout the day and the licorice altered my diurnal pattern so I was waking early and going to bed early, the opposite of what has become "normal" for me.

After a week I had come to appreciate the ability to wake up early in the morning and feel like I had the drive and energy to accomplish tasks throughout the day but it had become apparent that rather than genuinely having more energy I was actually feeling rather "wired". I found I couldn't switch off and relax even when not engaged in any stressful activities. It was as if my body constantly wanted me to be on the move.

After I stopped taking the licorice supplement the effects I would associate with increased cortisol (being able to wake early) gradually wore off but I have been left feeling I am incapable of relaxing. I also feel my heart is constantly pounding and have increased muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. It is now a number of years since I took the licorice but still these effects remain.

Based on my experience I would say that licorice may well benefit those suffering from ME/CFS and/or adrenal fatigue but is clearly very potent and should be used with caution and only under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner.