The Antagonistic Interactions Between Traditional Medicine Herbs and Licorice: A Non-Systematic Review

Antagonism in traditional medicine has long been documented to warn practitioners against the concurrent use of certain herbal pairs that may lead to adverse effects or toxicity. With scientific advancements, understanding the interaction mechanisms of herbal pairs in Thập Bát Phản (Eighteen Incompatibilities), particularly licorice with Euphorbia kansui , Euphorbia pekinensis , Sargassum , and Daphne genkwa , has become crucial. A review of 87 scientific publications retrieved from three databases – PubChem, Google Scholar, and CNKI – suggests that these interactions are variable, depending on the combination ratio and duration of use. Additionally, some antagonism combinations of Licorice exhibit beneficial pharmacological effects, such as reducing ascites and treating goiter, highlighting their potential for clinical applications.