Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea is not harmless. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious effects such as irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest, especially when consumed in large amounts or over a long time. Even small amounts have been linked to severe effects in people who eat a lot of salt, have high blood pressure, or have heart or kidney conditions. [1]

Overview and identity

Licorice root is from Glycyrrhiza species (G. glabra, G. uralensis, G. inflata). NIH notes that many "licorice" products sold in the United States do not contain actual licorice, and anise oil is often used instead. [1] Teas labeled "licorice" or "licorice root" may therefore differ widely; check the Latin name and ingredient list. See Adaptogens for licorice as an ingredient and Quality.

What the research shows

NIH says there is not enough high-quality evidence to clearly support licorice for any health condition. The studies it describes are mostly mouth rinses and gargles, not tea. [1] We found no sourced trials of licorice tea for digestion, throat or stress, so we make no benefit claims.

Safety

• Heart and blood pressure: see above. People with hypertension or heart or kidney conditions should ask a clinician before using licorice products. [1]
• Medicines: interactions with corticosteroids have been reported. [1]
• Pregnancy: consuming large amounts of oral licorice extract (about 250 grams of licorice per week) during pregnancy is unsafe and can increase the risk of delivery before 38 weeks. Little is known about breastfeeding. [1]
• Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products, which do not contain glycyrrhizin, might be safe for up to 4 months. [1] A tea that does not say DGL should not be assumed to be glycyrrhizin-free.
• NIH describes licorice as generally considered safe as a food ingredient, which is not the same as safe in large or long-term tea use. [1]