Licorice Root — Explained by Medical Evidence, Not Myths

Licorice root is a plant-based remedy used in teas, supplements, and traditional medicine, but “natural” does not always mean risk-free. Medical evidence suggests it may help with certain symptoms in some people, while also carrying important safety concerns, especially for blood pressure, potassium levels, and medication interactions.

What licorice root is—and what medical evidence actually shows

Licorice root comes from the Glycyrrhiza plant and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Today it appears in herbal teas, lozenges, extracts, capsules, and some digestive remedies. The root contains several active substances, especially glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for many of both its possible effects and its most important risks.

From a medical point of view, licorice root is not a cure-all. Some research suggests it may help relieve certain symptoms, such as mild indigestion, throat irritation, or cough-related discomfort, and some formulations have been studied for stomach lining support. However, evidence is not equally strong for all claimed uses, and results vary because products differ widely in strength and composition.

A key point often missed in popular discussions is that whole licorice root and deglycyrrhizinated licorice, known as DGL, are not the same. DGL has had most of the glycyrrhizin removed, so it is usually marketed for digestive symptoms with fewer mineral and blood pressure effects. Even so, DGL should not be assumed to be suitable for everyone, and product quality can vary.

Possible uses and potential benefits

Licorice root is most commonly discussed for digestive and upper respiratory symptoms. Some people use it for heartburn, stomach discomfort, sore throat, hoarseness, or cough. In laboratory and early clinical research, licorice compounds have shown anti-inflammatory, soothing, and mucus-protective properties, which may explain why it has been explored for these uses.

For the stomach, certain licorice preparations may help protect the stomach lining and support symptom relief in some people with indigestion. This does not replace standard evaluation for ongoing abdominal symptoms, and symptoms such as persistent heartburn, pain, vomiting, black stools, or weight loss should be medically assessed. If digestive complaints are frequent, a doctor may also evaluate for problems such as gastritis or reflux-related conditions.

Licorice root is also sometimes included in throat-soothing products. Some people notice temporary relief because it can coat irritated tissues and may reduce inflammation. Still, it should be viewed as supportive symptom care rather than treatment for a confirmed infection or another underlying illness.

There is also interest in licorice compounds in skin, dental, and viral research, but these areas remain more specialized and should not be simplified into broad claims. A patient-friendly rule is this: licorice root may help some symptoms in some settings, but the benefit depends on the exact product and should be weighed against the person’s medical history.

Risks, side effects, and why blood pressure matters

The main safety concern with licorice root is glycyrrhizin. In enough amounts, it can cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, which may lead to fluid retention, swelling, elevated blood pressure, muscle weakness, headaches, and abnormal heart rhythms. These effects can happen with supplements, teas, extracts, or frequent intake of real licorice products containing natural licorice extract.

People are often surprised that side effects can occur even without taking a “large” amount by their own estimate, because the strength of products varies. Risk also increases with regular use over time. Older adults and people with existing medical conditions may be more vulnerable, especially if they already have high blood pressure or heart, liver, or kidney disease.

Low potassium is one of the more clinically important complications because it can affect muscles and the heart. Symptoms may include unusual fatigue, cramps, weakness, palpitations, or constipation, but low potassium can also be present without obvious warning signs. In someone with known high blood pressure, licorice root is especially important to discuss with a clinician before use.

• Possible side effects include headache, swelling, raised blood pressure, and muscle weakness.
• More serious risks include low potassium and heart rhythm problems.
• Risk tends to be higher with long-term use, stronger extracts, and products containing glycyrrhizin.

Who should be especially cautious

Licorice root is not appropriate for everyone. People who are pregnant should generally avoid medicinal use unless specifically advised by a qualified clinician, because hormonal and blood pressure effects are a concern. Children, older adults, and people with multiple health conditions also deserve careful review before using herbal products regularly.

Particular caution is needed for anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, low potassium, or a history of swelling or fluid retention. These are situations in which licorice root can complicate an already sensitive balance of fluids and minerals. People being evaluated for palpitations, chest symptoms, or unexplained weakness should also avoid self-treating with it until a doctor has clarified the cause.

Medicine interactions are another major reason for caution. Licorice root may interact with blood pressure medicines, diuretics, corticosteroids, digoxin, and medicines that affect heart rhythm or potassium levels. It may also complicate care in people taking several medicines together. If a person already receives cardiology care or takes prescription medicines daily, it is wise to check with a pharmacist or doctor before starting any licorice supplement.

How to judge a product and use it more safely

Not all licorice products are equivalent. A tea, candy, capsule, concentrated extract, and DGL chewable tablet may each contain different amounts of active compounds. Some candies with “licorice” flavor do not contain true licorice root at all, while some herbal supplements may contain enough glycyrrhizin to matter medically. Reading the label helps, but labels do not always clearly explain the real clinical risk.

If someone is considering licorice root, the first step is to identify the reason for using it. For occasional mild symptoms, a clinician may prefer safer options with better-established dosing and monitoring. If the goal is digestive symptom relief, a doctor may evaluate whether reflux, ulcer disease, or another digestive disorder is present and may recommend standard care instead of herbal self-treatment. In some cases, appropriate gastroenterology care is more useful than trying multiple supplements.

General safer-use principles include avoiding prolonged unsupervised use, avoiding combining multiple products that may contain licorice, and stopping the product if swelling, headaches, weakness, or palpitations appear. People should tell their healthcare team about all supplements they take, especially before surgery or when new medicines are prescribed.

When to seek medical care

Medical advice is recommended before using licorice root if a person is pregnant, has a chronic medical condition, or takes prescription medicines. It is also wise to ask a doctor before using licorice root for more than a short period, because side effects can develop gradually and may not be obvious at first.

A person should seek prompt medical care if they develop severe headache, noticeable swelling, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, palpitations, fainting, marked weakness, or muscle cramps while using licorice root. These may be signs of blood pressure changes, fluid retention, or low potassium and should not be ignored.

Persistent digestive symptoms also deserve proper assessment rather than repeated self-treatment. Ongoing heartburn, trouble swallowing, vomiting, black stools, or unexplained weight loss may point to a condition that needs formal evaluation. Depending on the symptoms, a clinician may recommend testing or supportive specialties such as internal medicine for a broader review of medicines, blood pressure, and overall health.

A balanced bottom line

Licorice root is a good example of why medical evidence matters more than myths. It is neither a miracle remedy nor something that is automatically dangerous for every person. Instead, it is a biologically active herbal product with possible symptom-relieving effects and clear safety limits, especially when glycyrrhizin-containing products are used often or by people with underlying health risks.

For many people, the safest approach is to treat licorice root the same way they would treat any medicine: with a clear purpose, careful label review, and professional guidance when needed. Symptoms that keep returning should lead to a medical evaluation, because the main question is often not which supplement to choose, but what condition is causing the symptom in the first place.

For international patients who need evaluation of persistent digestive, cardiovascular, or general medical symptoms, Acibadem International’s multidisciplinary specialists and JCI-accredited hospitals provide diagnosis and treatment planning based on the individual’s overall health picture.

Frequently asked questions

What is licorice root used for?

Licorice root is commonly used for digestive discomfort, sore throat, cough-related irritation, and herbal wellness products. Some forms, especially DGL, are marketed for stomach symptoms, but uses vary and evidence is stronger for some symptoms than for others.

Is licorice root safe to take every day?

Regular daily use is not a good idea for many people unless a clinician has reviewed the product and the person’s health history. Glycyrrhizin-containing licorice can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and interact with medicines, especially when used over time.

Does licorice root raise blood pressure?

Yes, it can. Whole licorice products that contain glycyrrhizin may cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, which can increase blood pressure and fluid retention in some people.

What is the difference between licorice root and DGL?

DGL stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice, meaning most of the glycyrrhizin has been removed. It is often used for digestive symptoms and may reduce some of the blood pressure and potassium-related risks, but it still should be used thoughtfully and discussed with a clinician if symptoms are ongoing.

Who should avoid licorice root?

People who are pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or low potassium should be especially cautious. It is also important to avoid self-prescribing licorice root when taking diuretics, digoxin, corticosteroids, or medicines for blood pressure or heart rhythm unless a doctor approves it.

Can licorice root help acid reflux or stomach pain?

Some people use it for indigestion or upper stomach discomfort, and certain preparations may help soothe the stomach lining. However, repeated heartburn or stomach pain should not be self-diagnosed, because reflux, ulcers, gastritis, and other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

References

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• European Medicines Agency
• Mayo Clinic

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.