This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
This herb is NOT recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the developing fetus.
This herb is NOT recommended while breastfeeding as effects on infants are unknown.
Consult your healthcare provider before use.
6 Known Drug Interactions — Some May Be Serious
4 Severe2 Moderate
This herb may interact with medications you are taking. Review the interactions table below and consult your healthcare provider before use.
What is a herb–drug interaction?
A herb–drug interaction happens when a plant or supplement changes how a medication works in your body — making it stronger, weaker, or more likely to cause harm. Herbs contain active compounds that can speed up or slow down the enzymes and transporters your body uses to process drugs.
Why it matters
•St. John's Wort can make birth control, antidepressants, and blood thinners less effective.
•Garlic can increase bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners (also ginkgo, ginger, and turmeric).
•Kava can amplify sedation when taken with anxiety or sleep medications (also valerian).
The risk is highest for older adults, anyone taking several medications, and people with chronic conditions.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb and supplement you take — and check below before combining.
Licorice may worsen potassium loss caused by thiazide diuretics, potentially leading to dangerous hypokalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and muscle weakness.
Licorice combined with loop diuretics can cause severe potassium depletion and dangerous hypokalemia.
This list reflects a curated subset of documented interactions and is not exhaustive. The absence of a drug here is not proof that it is safe to combine. Always confirm with a pharmacist or healthcare provider.
How does licorice root affect cortisol levels in the body?
Licorice root impacts cortisol by inhibiting the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. This enzyme typically converts active cortisol into inactive cortisone. By blocking this conversion, glycyrrhizin extends the half-life of circulating cortisol, enhancing its anti-inflammatory and adrenal-supportive effects (Evidence Level: B). This mechanism makes licorice useful for adrenal fatigue but explains why prolonged use can lead to cortisol-related side effects like fluid retention and hypertension.
Can I take licorice root with high blood pressure medication?
You should avoid taking licorice root if you are on high blood pressure medication. Glycyrrhizin causes sodium retention and potassium excretion, which directly counteracts the effects of antihypertensive drugs like diuretics and ACE inhibitors (Evidence Level: B). This interaction can lead to dangerously elevated blood pressure and hypokalemia. Patients on hypertension medication should consult a physician before using any licorice supplements.
What is the standard dosage for licorice root?
For adults, the standard dosage for a standardized licorice extract is 200–600 mg daily (Evidence Level: B). For digestive issues without the risk of raising blood pressure, Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) is preferred, typically dosed at 380–760 mg taken 20 minutes before meals. Whole root usage should generally be limited to 4–6 weeks to avoid mineralocorticoid side effects unless monitored by a healthcare provider.
Is licorice root safe to take during pregnancy?
Licorice root is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided (Evidence Level: B). Studies suggest that consuming glycyrrhizin during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and may affect fetal development. It can also raise maternal blood pressure and cause edema. Pregnant women are advised to avoid medicinal doses of licorice and limit consumption of licorice-containing foods.
What is the difference between licorice root and DGL supplements?
The primary difference lies in the glycyrrhizin content. Standard licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for adrenal and respiratory benefits but also causes high blood pressure and potassium depletion. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) has had this compound removed, making it safe for long-term use and suitable for those with hypertension. Consequently, DGL is preferred for treating acid reflux and ulcers, while whole licorice is reserved for adrenal support (Evidence Level: B).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a perennial herb used since ancient times for its broad range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects [PMID:30117204, PMID:34961221].
Background
Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. is a small perennial undershrub belonging to the Fabaceae family, native to Mediterranean countries, Asia, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and southern Russia [PMID:30117204, PMID:30049263, PMID:34739794].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used across Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Greek, and Chinese medicine to treat respiratory disorders, throat infections, tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, hepatitis C, skin diseases, jaundice, epilepsy, fever, and sexual debility [PMID:34961221, PMID:37043593, PMID:32106571].
Active compounds
Key bioactive constituents include glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, glabridin, isoliquiritigenin, licochalcones, isoflavones, and various triterpene saponins [PMID:30117204, PMID:37288311, PMID:18703197, PMID:33401375].
Mechanism of action
Licorice compounds target multiple signaling pathways, including NF-κB, TGF-β1, JNK, MAPK, p53, STAT3, and HMGB1 to alleviate kidney injury [PMID:41357892]. In cancer, constituents may inhibit B-cell lymphoma 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, PI3K, and mTOR [PMID:36474507].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CAtherosclerosis
Demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine, antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, and anti-platelet actions [PMID:35897875]
Evidence CMetabolic Syndrome
Affects blood glucose and lipid profiles, though it can increase blood pressure [PMID:34981491]
Evidence DObesity (Animal Model)
Extract significantly reduced body weight increases and provided hepatoprotective effects in obese rats [PMID:39404468]
Evidence DCOVID-19 (In vitro/Pre-clinical)
Triterpenoids such as licorice-saponin A3 and glycyrrhetinic acid potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection [PMID:35116174]
Safety & adverse effects
High doses can cause serious adverse events, including hypertension, hypokalemia, and syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (pseudohyperaldosteronism) [PMID:37043593, PMID:17320224, PMID:39331666]. G. glabra and glycyrrhizin salts are described as moderately toxic [PMID:28833680].
Pregnancy & lactation
Licorice is a purported galactogogue, but no scientifically valid clinical trials support this; it may actually reduce serum prolactin and decrease milk production in early lactation [PMID:30000900]. Glycyrrhizin has been detected in breastmilk [PMID:30000900].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of reviews and pre-clinical/animal studies (Levels C and D), indicating strong pharmacological potential but highlighting significant safety risks associated with high-dose consumption.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30117204 (2018) — Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A phytochemical and pharmacological review. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
2.PMID: 28833680 (2017) — Toxicological Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Review. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
3.PMID: 34961221 (2021) — Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 37043593 (2012) — Review of pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. and its bioactive compounds. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
5.PMID: 32106571 (2020) — Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae). · Biomolecules
6.PMID: 30000900 (2006) — Licorice and cancer. · Nutrition and cancer
7.PMID: 30049263 (2019) — Biological Effects of Licochalcones. · Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
8.PMID: 35897875 (2022) — Atheroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 33309652 (2021) — Recent advances in chemical analysis of licorice (Gan-Cao). · Fitoterapia
10.PMID: 34739794 (2021) — Glycyrrhiza glabra: An Insight to Nanomedicine. · Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology
11.PMID: 27731836 (2016) — Review - Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Liquorice). · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
12.PMID: 34981491 (2021) — A Review of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Effects on Metabolic Syndrome. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology
13.PMID: 37288311 (2023) — Licorice as a herbal extract in periodontal therapy. · Drug target insights
14.PMID: 35456938 (2022) — The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)-Derived Compounds in Intestinal Disorders. · International journal of molecular sciences
15.PMID: 33401375 (2021) — Perspectives on the Role of Isoliquiritigenin in Cancer. · Cancers
16.PMID: 35189279 (2022) — History and the immunostimulatory effects of heat-processed licorice root products with or without honey. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
17.PMID: 17320224 (2008) — Licorice-induced hypokalemia. · International journal of cardiology
18.PMID: 36067839 (2022) — Chemical analysis of the Chinese herbal medicine licorice (Gan-Cao): An update review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
19.PMID: 41357892 (2025) — Licorice in nephropathy treatment: phytochemical compositions and pharmacological mechanisms. · Frontiers in pharmacology
20.PMID: 18703197 (2009) — Chemical analysis of the Chinese herbal medicine Gan-Cao (licorice). · Journal of chromatography. A
21.PMID: 36474507 (2022) — Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)-Derived Phytochemicals Target Multiple Signaling Pathways to Confer Oncopreventive and Oncotherapeutic Effects. · OncoTargets and therapy
22.PMID: 34961070 (2021) — Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Extracts-Suitable Pharmacological Interventions for COVID-19? A Review. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
23.PMID: 35934191 (2022) — Licorice: Resources, applications in ancient and modern times. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
24.PMID: 35736467 (2022) — Recent Advances in Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)-Containing Herbs Alleviating Radiotherapy- and Chemotherapy-Induced Adverse Reactions in Cancer Treatment. · Metabolites
25.PMID: 35403088 (2022) — Revisiting liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as anti-inflammatory, antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential pharmacological applications with mechanistic insight. · Phytomedicine plus : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
26.PMID: 39404468 (2024) — Effects of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract on the livers of obese rats. · Biotechnic & histochemistry : official publication of the Biological Stain Commission
27.PMID: 39331666 (2024) — [Licorice consumption can be life-threatening]. · Laeknabladid
28.PMID: 35116174 (2022) — Natural triterpenoids from licorice potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. · Journal of advanced research