Phytotherapy

Liquorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra · Licorice

Mechanism

Liquorice root contains glycyrrhizin and its aglycone glycyrrhetinic acid. These inhibit 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, allowing cortisol to act longer at the mineralocorticoid receptor — at high doses or with long-term use, mineralocorticoid-like effects (potassium loss, water retention, rise in blood pressure) have been described. Traditionally liquorice is used to support the gastric mucosa and airways. Robust equine studies on clinical endpoints are lacking.

Cautions

· Long-term/high dose: risk of pseudoaldosteronism (potassium loss, water retention, rise in blood pressure)
· Not for horses with pre-existing heart, kidney or hypertension issues without veterinary advice
· Possible interaction with potassium-lowering substances

Sources

EMA/HMPC Liquiritiae radixEMA/HMPC — Süßholzwurzel-Monographie (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)

PMID:42147312Glycyrrhizin preparations — narrative review zu Mechanismen und Anwendung

Equiterna Score

51/100

limited

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety5/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosagetraditionally short-term and low-dosed; avoid long-term use

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyIncreased caution

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Liquorice a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Liquorice as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Liquorice allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Liquorice is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Liquorice?

Stated in the profile: traditionally short-term and low-dosed; avoid long-term use. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Liquorice?

The profile cites: EMA/HMPC Liquiritiae radix and PMID:42147312.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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