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Licorice side effects.

Submitted by Blog - Henriette on 11 August, 2005 - 10:00
Blog categories: 
Single herbs
Botanical name: 
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Problems: 
Myths

Let's get sane about herbal side effects, mmkay?

A note on the medicinal herblist, in June 2004:

> Here is the article that prompted me to try the DGL: "Deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) licorice: ...
One chemical in licorice, carboxenoxolone cimetidine, is associated with numerous side effects including edema (fluid retention, swelling), high blood pressure, and lowered potassium levels. ..."

My reply to that:

Repeat after me:

The single constituent is not the herb.

Now find me real live people who actually have had all those "numerous side effects" from taking licorice root the herb, in tea or tincture.

You'll find that even most of the "licorice causes hypertension" reports in medline are about licorice the candy ... which again, is not the herb: it's either

  • salt, sugar, flour and anise oil, or
  • made from licorice concentrate, salt, and other things.

And it's very easy, for people who like licorice candy, to eat half a kg (a pound) a day, or more. More salt, anybody? It's difficult to eat those amounts of licorice root.

Very many people get hypertension from eating loads of licorice candy. Which may never even have seen licorice.

Very few people get any side effects at all from licorice the herb, including the all-too-often repeated "but it causes hypertension!".

Yes, licorice root can, in very few susceptible individuals, cause hypertension. It's however rare.
If you're one of the very few unlucky ones, use your common sense and stop using licorice root.

If you're not, well, it's good for your lungs, your adrenals, your gut, and it tastes good - and you stop doing it because somebody who has no clue about herbs tells you it has a single constituent that's been causing whatever in rats?

Get sane.

If you follow that paradigm you can't eat anything at all. Because in that world, butter causes cancer, carrots do your liver in, potatoes are outright toxic, and don't let me get started on cabbage - I could, if I so liked, come up with one "it's dangerous, dangerous I tell you" study for every food there is, including water.

Comments

Submitted by darcey (not verified) on 11 August, 2005 - 18:10.

Hear hear! thanks for that one! I always try to let poeple know what the POTENTIAL effects of herbs are, but that it is completely different taking whole herb preps than a pill, and that yes, even WATER can be dangerous in large enough quantities. So relax already!
People hear about ephedrine pills and get all antsy when i say mormon tea/ephedra....cripes! All in moderation my friends....

Submitted by Herbinator (not verified) on 11 August, 2005 - 20:52.

Side-effects are very, very rare and this is attested to by those in the know. And of those very, very few, most (if not all) will be highly reactive to ordinary salt. This makes prediction simple. Even then, Glycyrrhiza is still valuable. I add Tarax folia, and the combination works well.
Populist usage and medical herbalist usage, quite rightly, differs. Herbs are simply tools and deft usage varies from idiot medicos through to Naturopaths to populist to experienced herbalist.

Submitted by FMS (not verified) on 25 May, 2015 - 12:49.

I had a cup of licorice root tea and within 10 minutes I had a throbing headache and pains in my neck, when I checked my blood pressure 20 minutes later my readings wre 199/102 so to say that side efffects are very very rare is too much of a general statement to make.

Submitted by Elle (not verified) on 24 November, 2015 - 03:55.

Until researching Tea, I didn't realize that Yogi green tea lemon ginger had so many ingredients. Perhaps it is the licorice that causes my facial skin to burn for hours. Back to Stash lemon/ginger tea for me

Submitted by Sue (not verified) on 17 August, 2016 - 16:45.

Yesterday I had licorice tea and afterwards I experienced vomiting that lasted on and off for 12 hours in addition to head and neck pain. maybe it's an allergy or sensitivity to it but it may be more common in people than is told or researched I would caution on drinking it. Maybe try very little sips at first to see if tolerated before drinking a whole cup of tea. Was very disappointed cause I know there are many health benefits. Unfortunately not for me.

Submitted by Dr S (not verified) on 1 August, 2019 - 03:13.

As a physician I can assure you that 12 hours of vomiting will defiantly cause headache due to the resulting dehydration
The symptoms you describe are not those of an allergy to licorice herb, or anything else...far from it. Review 'signs & symptoms of allergy"
You clearly suffered a bout of food poisoning...which is more common than most realize. Last year 3000 people died in the USA due to food poinsiong.
Symptoms can occur anywhere from a few mins to 24hours after eating the offending foods...always animal related...fish, chicken, beef, eggs, etc etc. Primary symptoms of food poisoning are vomiting and diarrhea . Plenty of activated charcoal capsules will remedy food poisioning in a timely fashion
I am disappointed when i observe how many people will blame a myriad of health problems onto a wholesome herb, without first investigating the possible sources of their health problems. They usually have little knowledge of the plant, and it is new to them, so makes an ideal culprit
Then one googles 'x problems caused by licorice' and they get a match.
"Always consider your sources" meaning ...who wrote the article/s you read, and what is their financial/political motivation ...if any.

The recommended for herbal teas is 1teaspoon to a cup of distilled water. 1 cup am & pm 6 days a week. Rest one day. Repeat
As long as one stays within these recommendations, the greatest majority of people will experience no problems.
I have found that apart from its rejuvenating properties on the gut adrenals & lungs, it has been very helpful improving vision in a number of elderly patients

Submitted by stacey (not verified) on 2 March, 2020 - 20:41.

I wouldn't go that far. licorice root should not be ingested daily. Please read up on research. Licorice root raised my blood pressure with 2 hours at the doctors office. I drank it nightly and suffered from waking up with breathing difficulty and stomach pain, followed by heart palps. The heart palps could have easily been a stress reaction. We tested it in office and it raises blood pressure. My blood pressure is always really low...105/65///and ti was 150/90 after licorice root tea. I stopped drinking it and my symptoms went away. Also note: the box says "Do not drink for longer than 4 weeks" for a reason.

Submitted by jr (not verified) on 12 August, 2005 - 00:00.

I solve the problem by not eating licorice candy.

Awful stuff, if you ask me.

Submitted by Alex in Portland (not verified) on 14 August, 2005 - 22:31.

Several years ago when I was first getting interested in herbs, specifically chinese herbs and adaptogens, I bought a sack of licorice root at a local chinese herbalist/accupuncturist. I started making and drinking very strong licorice tea and adding it to other teas, and within a short time got huge, puffy ankles and a puffy face from the resulting edema. I stopped my licorice use right away and, after a few days, the edema subsided. It was a good lesson for me in the power of herbs, even the seeming innocuous ones like licorice. (the herbalist still thinks of me as the licorice guy)

Submitted by SickOne (not verified) on 15 August, 2005 - 10:58.

I am living testimony to the side effects of the herb. I was out of work on sick leave for a week after trying licorice root one day at a fair. I had numerous symptoms for example high blood pressure (I went to see the Dr.), unnatural bowel movements, heightened anxiety (could not sit still, unless on a toilet, for 2 days)...if you want herb, smoke weed, if you wanna be healthy, dont eat at Mc Donalds...its that simple...

Submitted by Julie Ferguson (not verified) on 24 June, 2016 - 16:53.

I think trying anything at a fair is asking for trouble. You probably had too much, as well. For the other complaints posted, you mix it with tea? Look for "DGL" on the product you try, less likely any side effects. Did anyone take the proper dose? I've come off Prednisone and switched to Licorice root and first attempt had 7ml and it was too much. Next day I took 3 and it was perfect.

Submitted by Henriette on 15 August, 2005 - 11:47.

SickOne: So you're one of the few who are sensitive to licorice (in fact, you're one of the very very few who are severely reactive to licorice) and you say that all herbs are bad? And you smoke weed. Way to go, kiddo.

Alex: smart move, stopping to take licorice after you got problems from it.

Submitted by paul manski (not verified) on 16 August, 2005 - 08:03.

well my experience with licorice root is that yes it can be stimulating. Perhaps if you ate the whole herb you'd get GI distress. I know several people who have used it to quit smoking. It may be quite effective in this regard. As there is much problem oriented stuff in the NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) therapies. The small thin dried roots are chewed/sucked and the juice is swallowed but not the root itself.
paul

Submitted by tobhary amino (not verified) on 20 November, 2005 - 23:15.

let me join ur nice usefull herbal blog ..i'm an egyptian herbalist (very rare here) i'm pharmaclogist in study ..and concerning liqurice i used it more than thousand times in many herbal recipes ..it does very well no one at all had any complaints about it specially those who use it in GIT upset an ulcers it does great ..and i'm waiting for one complaints and i'll tell you all about ...i believe in the rule (the whole herb isnt the isolated active const. of it)
thnx

Submitted by amna (not verified) on 28 July, 2016 - 12:23.

Hello. Could you please tell me if licorice root tea helps with pcos and reduces testosterone levels in girls?

Submitted by Henriette on 2 August, 2016 - 16:33.

That or peppermint / spearmint tea should do the trick.

Submitted by Cyndy (not verified) on 27 June, 2006 - 20:58.

I was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid. I refused to take the prescription meds. I got on the internet and researched for natural treatments. By this I found a doctor's website from California that was on Chelation therapy. He suggested if you couldn't afford the therapy to take licorice root. He said it has some of the properties that is in the IV chelation. So I started taking licorice and walah I stopped hurting after being mostly in a convalescent state for 6 months. I have had no side effects. I thank the Lord for this healing because in praying and expecting him to give an answer I believe he led me to this Dr. I HAVE MY LIFE BACK BECAUSE OF THIS SO CALLED BAD HERB!

Submitted by Henriette on 27 June, 2006 - 21:54.

Good show.

Submitted by Susan (not verified) on 5 September, 2006 - 21:21.

I enjoyed reading about licorice. I love licorice and when I'm dieting, it's a candy I can have without a problem. Several people tell me, Oh, don't eat that it will raise your blood preasure, it's this, it's that, etc etc.

Submitted by Henriette on 6 September, 2006 - 12:00.

Re-read the post: licorice the candy is flour, sugar, and one or the other essential oil, in most countries. It's not good for you, especially if you're dieting.

Submitted by Alan (not verified) on 31 December, 2006 - 16:20.

Henriette well, perhaps she was saying because it is sweet and has an interesting flavor it is like a candy with no bad side effects (like lots of candy does (also i dont know how peoplw like the taste of that crap)). personally licorice has been a great ally to me, (mostly in teas and as a chew stick) but does anyone know just how bad it is to smoke it? ive tryed it lately and the taste is better than that of a ciggarette and it doesnt leave the bad smell, but i know some stuff is REALLY toxic in smoke form. if anyone has an answer you can get me at de_man52@hotmail.com

Submitted by Henriette on 31 December, 2006 - 18:15.

About licorice as candy: that's true, Alan.

Submitted by alexandra (not verified) on 10 January, 2007 - 03:08.

I found that my hair definitely thickened by 100% since having licorice. Does anyone else have data on this?

Submitted by S.Hughes (not verified) on 8 February, 2007 - 09:52.

This may be a stupid question, but my husband is diabetic. He loves tea. Recently, I purchased some licorice tea and he loved it, however is concerned because it tastes so "sweet" to him. The ingredients do not list it as having "sugar".
but was wondering if someone could help calm my concerns. Is it ok for diabetics to drink licorice tea. (it was purchased at the health store, and is in tea bag form. I think it was egyptian licorice tea... In other words, I didn't buy licorice "root" and make it myself. Any reply would be appreciated... I have looked everywhere to find out this information, and can't seem to find any anywhere regarding this. Thanks to anyone.

Submitted by P. Davidson (not verified) on 25 September, 2019 - 19:26.

I took 3 150mg capsules x3 a dsy with water
Bottle recommended to take 4-6 weeks. I am suffering hypertension still 5 days later. Drinking beet juice. Found garlic helps lower blood pressure quickly. Thinking of looking into taking charcoal. Lesson learned about herbal remedies. Got to do your home work
I do prefer the herbal remedies. Hope I have not damaged my health permanently.

Submitted by Henriette on 8 February, 2007 - 10:10.

Licorice, the root, is a few hundred times sweeter than sugar. However, there is no sugar in the root.

Submitted by Ldiabetic (not verified) on 12 June, 2010 - 18:19.

So licorice root is sweeter than table sugar but contains no actual sugars? Then my question is, will it raise my blood glucose levels or not? I can't seem to get an answer. There is no nutritional info, ie. sugars/carbs on the licorice tea box. I have very low blood pressure (70/40), and heard licorice tea would help. But I am also a diabetic. If anyone has any helpful information I would greatly appreciate it. How many cups a day should I have? It is caffeine free, which is great, as caffeine is not good for diabetics. Help with the sugar content please!

Submitted by Henriette on 12 June, 2010 - 21:14.

Licorice, the root, contains no sugar. Licorice, the candy, is loaded with sugar.
If you're diabetic then you should have a glucose meter. Give licorice a try and check your sugar readings before and after.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 29 May, 2012 - 19:51.

Liquorice + shatavari is ayurvedic gold for diabetes. The 'sweet but not sugar' herbs are very good for diabetics (including stevia), the sweetness is different from sugar if you notice - different tastebuds notice the taste as sweet-. If he likes liquorice it's good for him! Make sure to keep potassium levels up and drink the tea in moderation - 2 cups a day or so tops. Liquorice is a harmless tonifying herb - just don't consume unearthly quantities - a cup of tea a day, a stick or two of candy, a liquorice chew once a week or so.

- Qualifications - my herbalist told me so.

Submitted by Mary (not verified) on 10 April, 2007 - 01:10.

I have been taking licorice in a capsule form. for about a month. The "Directions" says that we can take two capsules two or three times a day. I take one capsules a day.That's enough to make me go to the bathroom quite often during the day. I don't know if that's normal. I read that is highly beneficial for my blood type however the tea is recommended not the herb. I read that the plant can cause retainson of sodium in blood, which can lead to increase in blood pressure.
In a tea form is medicin. What about the capsules?

Submitted by Henriette on 10 April, 2007 - 08:14.

I wouldn't have a clue. Licorice tastes so nice that I've never even contemplated putting it into capsules. Nor will I. Teas, mmm.

Submitted by kalima (not verified) on 5 May, 2007 - 03:00.

We've been enjoying organic licorice root, gently simmered for a few minutes with various leafy, food flavored herbs added and steeped. Try peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, pau d'arco, chamomile, etc. . . especially nice in the evening, as "dessert" after dinner.

Submitted by Frank B. (not verified) on 6 May, 2007 - 17:29.

The problem with hypertension is that many people who don't check their blood pressure reguarly can have it and not know. When I started the licorice root capsules last week I checked my blood pressure at 109/68. During the week it elevated every day. Finally this morning it was 155/95 so I had to discontinue it. I will probably wait a week, check the blood pressure and start it at a lower dose. I took 9 capsules per day, per instructions on the bottle. I guess they want you to use up the product quickly. I didn't use my own good sense and start at 1/3 of the recommended dose and build up if there wasn't any side effects.

Submitted by wife of licoric... (not verified) on 29 May, 2007 - 08:25.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the side effects (high blood pressure) of way too much licorice (candy) to go? My husband's blood pressure has been very high lately and we've only just made the connection with the large amount of licorice he eats. Of course he's stopped eating it but how long will it take for the blood pressure to come down?

Submitted by iibhawaii (not verified) on 14 January, 2008 - 05:11.

Recently I purchased licorice tea in addition to a women's tea whose top ingredient is licorice and started drinking tea all day. Yesterday I noticed my blood pressure had shot up to 165/99 - my typical blood pressure is 116/72. My muscles were sore, I felt bloated and was fatigues. I became really concerned about my health. Then, my husband read the WARNING on the licorice tea: "do not take this product if you have heart disease or high blood pressure." Then I started researching and found that I had a toxic reaction to the licorice tea. It was not the candy - it was licorice tea. Article of interest:
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/hyper...
(second URL gives "site not found", sorry.)
The second article above indicates that "Blood pressure and serum potassium normalized about 2 months after she stopped drinking liquorice tea."

Submitted by Henriette on 14 January, 2008 - 09:29.

However, the fact that you're sensitive to licorice (the tea) doensn't mean that it's dangerous on a general level.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 10 January, 2010 - 10:17.

though you're right that in mouse studies even water can cause cancer one does not want to have elevetaed blood pressure or be dead because of licorice. Even if the reaction is rare the warning should be taken seriously!

Submitted by Rhyan (not verified) on 12 November, 2010 - 10:47.

I have high blood pressure but decided to try chewing licorice sticks to help with my teeth and inflammation. I plan to watch my blood pressure and see what happens. I have also decided to limit myself to one small stick a day. I have rheumatoid arthritis and hope that I do not react to the licorice.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 18 February, 2011 - 16:17.

I hear water is really bad for you! Yeah. It can kill you if you drink too much. Drinking too much can also deplete your electrolytes. Ok now that we have gotten that all out, PASS THE LICORICE PLEASE!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 3 January, 2012 - 14:27.

I have been hospitalized after excessive consumption of licorice tea that left my potassium dangerously low (2.5) and my bicarbs all to pot. HOWEVER: this really was excessive consumption (about 10 cups per day). I still drink in moderation. Far too nice not to!

Submitted by melissa P (not verified) on 1 May, 2014 - 21:36.

I am a living example that the warnings regarding licorice are very valid. I was just recently prescribed a licorice supplement for adrenal fatigue. I have a lifetime of healthy eating, normal stable weight and low blood pressure (runs in my family), non smoker non drinker and boy did I ever react to licorice! My face was puffed like a pastry! My ankles were so swollen that I could see my finger marks on them like they were playdough and my blood pressure went way up. It is 5 days on from discontinuing and my eyes are still puffy. I have eaten black licorice my whole life (the good brands), I love it, not to mention I am a regular drinker of licorice tea, so this came as a surprise. I took no more than what was suggested on the bottle. I also tried a second brand for adrenal fatigue and had the same reaction Metagenics and Cortrex) It is no myth, it can happen, and it is scary. As with anything proceed with caution and don't dismiss the warnings.

Submitted by Davis Alan (not verified) on 25 July, 2014 - 06:50.

How are you feeling now
I too have a similar example of licorice toxicity. After about 3 months of eating true licorice(a few to a handful of slices per day) from Australia and Europe I started having fluid retention HBP and head felt like it was heated. Anyway, It has been 10 days since I stopped all licorice and I still have ups and downs with high BP and when I eat something salty my BP goes through the roof. I have always had normal pressure and have been generally healthy.

I just want to know how long it will take to get back to normal status. The half life of licorice is chemical is about 5 hours and after 50 hours should be all gone?
Thanks for the help

Submitted by kay (not verified) on 1 September, 2016 - 23:55.

I have similar symptoms. I had them for two weeks and after a few weeks they came back even though I didn't take any licorice. It's almost been two weeks since then. How are you doing? Did you get better?

Submitted by Alma (not verified) on 24 August, 2019 - 10:21.

How did it turn out for you? How long was your recovery? Good?

Submitted by Kelly (not verified) on 28 September, 2019 - 16:39.

You sound very much like me. Did you notice a darkening or stool while taking this supplement?

Submitted by STC (not verified) on 3 September, 2015 - 13:00.

I just wanted to add to this. I had serious issues from licorice tea. I gained >20lb in water weight and had high blood pressure just from consuming the tea. this was a well known brand too an dwhen I contacted them to let them know they were very dismissive indeed. Prior to drinking the tea I was 116lb (and am again now) but when I had been drinking it I went up to 136lb+.
I drank maybe 5 cups a day made with a standard teabag, the healthwarning say to watch out for excessive conspumption if you have HBP but I didn't have and I think excessive is a bit subjective to be effective as a warning!

Submitted by STC (not verified) on 4 September, 2015 - 14:57.

Also, I should point out that the gain in weight(water) and subsequent loss all took place within a week i.e. day 1 weight = 116lb, day 3 weight = >136lb (and visit to the doctor!), day 4 stopped drinking licorice tea s my husband suggested it could be a cause, day 7 = 116lb.

Submitted by MC (not verified) on 17 November, 2015 - 08:45.

Have never had high blood pressure or palpitations before, ended up in the ER... so even low doses in some people can have significant effects. If you feel a change in your heart or blood pressure, it could well be that you're sensitive to it, even in small doses. Seems like consistent use in my case as it helped with GERD may be what causes the problems.

Submitted by suzanne poynter (not verified) on 11 May, 2016 - 11:28.

Hi I am commenting because i've been unlucky enough to actually have side effects from drinking black adder liquorice tea. I started drinking this tea as I have had Adrenal fatigue. I stopped drinking coffee 6 months ago as well as adopting a healthier whole food diet, going to bed earlier before 10 and giving up alcohol. I found drinking 1 to 2 liquorice teas a day make me slowly feel better. one of my adrenal fatigue symptoms was very low blood pressure 108/50. A recent visit with my GP my blood pressure had improved to 120/78 A couple months later I have een on a cruise and noticed leg oedema about 2 plus, slight headache and feeling very tired to point of being exhausted I had quiet a bit of alcohol while on cruise and thought might be the cause so stopped drinking any alcohol for rest of cruise. On return from my holiday I became very short of breath, extremely fatigued and had a severe headache which began at 2am in the morning I attended my GP where my blood pressure was 170/120 the headache was making me feel nauseous the GP sent me into Emergency Department for investigation. Bloods, X-ray, ECG all came back normal but my blood pressure remained at 168/109 and headache remained they sent me home on 3 days of prednisone 80mg and if bp remained high to revisit my GP my blood pressure remains high 5 days later the headache only abated after 2 days of the steroids and was so severe it made me vomit and then headache went for short time then returned until I vomited again this went on for 9 hours until Steroids really started to work. I pretty much slept 3 days away as so tired and unwell. I have completed steroid course and returned to work and normal day to day life still tired and occasional headache and checked my blood pressure again today remains high 160/109 have been on the web tonight doing a little research on my symptoms and thought about what I am doing which might be causing high blood pressure. which is when I thought about warning on packet of tea and started doing research on side effects of liquorice root and it matched my symptoms. I have stopped drinking the tea since my blood pressure has been up so hope that I shall see a reduction in my side effects soon. I should add that I am a healthy 47year old taking no other medications with no medical history of any note or allergys and I am a Registered Nurse.

Submitted by Khalid (not verified) on 29 July, 2016 - 05:31.

I took dgl tablets for about a week. It raised my blood pressure and stopped it usually my reading is about 110/73 but it raised it to 140/85 and I felt very dizzy. Now twelve days later I was feeling better but today had it spike to 155/99 but it dropped back down. Does anyone know when these symptoms will go away? It really concerns me.

Submitted by Alexa (not verified) on 10 August, 2016 - 20:04.

i buy on Amazon licorice root extract and i use it for a cough lozenge and also to help with digestion. The brand is called ZOT. they are naturally low in Glycyrrhizin which does not raise blood pressure. its not capsules it is small tic tac size extract. the taste is strong at first but after a few times you grow fond of it. i love the licorice taste and you can even make tea by dropping some in boiling water

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