Radix Glycyrrhizae is a commonly used tonic Chinese medicine and its antidepressant effects have attracted attention in recent years. Through the retrieval at home and abroad in recent years about the licorice anti- depression literatures, this article makes a study from the perspective of antidepressant licorice extracts, active ingredients and its compound preparation, and shows that licorice and its active components have clear antidepressant effect, and the mechanism relates to antioxidant, anti apoptotic injury, anti monoamine oxidase, regulate the monoamine neurotransmitter etc. Through compound prescription, licorice has the functions such as strengthening the spleen and calming the heart, reconciling the middle burner and softening the liver, coordinating the drug actions of a prescription and detoxification, etc. and has good curative effect on depression. Further studies on antidepressant effect of Radix Glycyrrhizae have reference value for revealing the pathogenesis of depression, the research and development of new antidepressant drug, and improving the level of diagnosis and treatment of depression.