Researchers have since discovered that the ingredient in licorice responsible for those side effects was glycyrrhizin. They have now been able to remove about 97% of this chemical and the result was a product known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL. DGL has maintained the original healing properties of licorice but with no side effects.



DGL was originally used to heal ulcers in the stomach without suppressing stomach acids. DGL has worked just as well as the commercial drugs Zantac or Tagamet which were designed to suppress stomach acid. As more and more people used DGL, they got relief from a variety of stomach problems such as heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, bloating, and gas. In addition, they have since found that using DGL has been better than using antacids or acid blockers.

DGL actually improves and restores the integrity of the esophageal, stomach and duodenum lining. And it does this by encouraging mucus release and cell rebuilding. The mucus released provides gastrointestinal lining protection from acids thus giving the lining time to rebuild itself. The result is healing and strengthening of the affected tissues.

Let us look at how to use DGL. DGL comes in large tablets that you place in your mouth and allow to melt like a cough drop. You can chew them a little, but do not swallow them because it is your salvia that helps activate the DGL. When you allow DGL to melt in your mouth, the resulting liquid will now flow along your esophagus and start the healing process wherever there is tissue inflammation or damage. Take two tablets 3-4 times a day on an empty stomach. Do not use any water when you are taking the tablets. You can take the tablets at least an hour before eating and an hour after eating.

Although DGL does provide relief for heartburn, acid reflux and other stomach disturbances, kind in mind that it does not provide a total cure. It does allow you to recover from damaged gastrointestinal lining as often occurs with ulcers, but it will not change the level of stomach acid.

In some cases, heartburn is the result of too little or too much stomach acid. When too little acid is causing heartburn it makes no sense to use antacids or acid blocking drugs which would decrease your stomach acid even more. Low levels of stomach acid leads to serious illnesses.