Licorice – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More

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Overview

An herb known as licorice can be found growing in some regions of Europe and Asia. When consumed in excessive quantities, licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which is known to cause a number of unpleasant side effects.

It is believed that the compounds in licorice can reduce inflammation, alleviate coughing, and boost the production of molecules in our bodies that help heal ulcers. In the United States, many items labeled as containing licorice do not, in fact, include any licorice in their ingredients. They contain anise oil, which can be described as having a flavor and aroma similar to that of “black licorice.”

There is insufficient reliable scientific data to support the majority of licorice’s traditional uses, including those for treating dermatitis, enlargement of the liver, mouth sores, and a variety of other ailments. In addition, there is insufficient data to support the utilization of licorice for COVID-19.

What Are the Benefits and Applications?

Possible Beneficial Effects on Eczema (atopic dermatitis). The appearance of eczema symptoms, including redness, swelling, and itching, may be improved by using a gel that contains licorice and applying it three times a day for fourteen days.

Canker sores. It has been found that utilizing licorice mouth rinses and patches containing licorice can help lessen the pain associated with canker sores and speed up the healing process.

After removing the breathing tube, persons had various side effects. It has been found that gargling with licorice fluid or sucking on a licorice lozenge shortly before having a breathing tube inserted will help reduce the likelihood of a cough and sore throat developing when the tube is removed.

There is an interest in employing licorice for a variety of additional functions; however, there is insufficient trustworthy information to determine whether or not this could be beneficial.

Adverse Reactions

When taken orally, licorice is expected to be safe for the vast majority of people when consumed at levels that are consistent with food. When the chemical glycyrrhizin has been extracted from licorice, the herb may be consumed safely in amounts of up to 4.5 grams per day for a maximum of four months.

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When ingested in high quantities or over an extended period of time, licorice root that contains glycyrrhizin may pose a health risk. Consuming licorice in quantities of 5 grams or more on a daily basis for a period of many weeks might lead to serious adverse effects, including a heart attack. Those who have preexisting conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure are more likely to experience adverse effects from it. Consuming significant quantities of licorice in the form of sweets, lozenges, or tea could also result in major adverse consequences.

When applied to the skin, using a gel containing 2% licorice root extract for a period of up to two weeks is thought to be risk-free. It is possible that using a licorice mouth rinse for up to one week will not cause any adverse effects.

Important Safety Instructions and Cautionary Notes

When consumed via the oral route: When consumed at levels consistent with food, licorice is probably safe for the vast majority of people. When the chemical glycyrrhizin has been extracted from licorice, the herb may be consumed safely in amounts of up to 4.5 grams per day for a maximum of four months.

When ingested in high quantities or over an extended period of time, licorice root that contains glycyrrhizin may pose a health risk. Consuming licorice in quantities of 5 grams or more on a daily basis for a period of many weeks might lead to serious adverse effects, including a heart attack. Those who have preexisting conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure are more likely to experience adverse effects from it. Consuming significant quantities of licorice in the form of sweets, lozenges, or tea could also result in major adverse consequences.

When applied to the skin, using a gel containing 2% licorice root extract for a period of up to two weeks is thought to be risk-free. It is possible that using a licorice mouth rinse for up to one week will not cause any adverse effects. Consuming licorice during pregnancy is not recommended due to the potential health risks. It is possible that it will result in premature delivery or a miscarriage. It appears that the chance of having an early birth is increased by consuming roughly 250 grams of licorice every week.

Licorice consumption is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding due to the lack of sufficient and trustworthy information regarding the safety of doing so. To be on the safe side, you should avoid using it.

Conditions affecting the heart Licorice has been shown to cause the body to retain water, which can make heart failure even more severe. Additionally, licorice can raise the risk of having an irregular heartbeat. If you have a cardiac issue, you should avoid consuming licorice.

Conditions that are influenced by hormones, including but not limited to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids: It’s possible that licorice has estrogenic effects on the body. You should avoid using licorice if you suffer from any ailment that could be made worse by being exposed to estrogen.

Licorice has been linked to an increase in certain people’s blood pressure levels. If your blood pressure is already elevated, you should avoid eating significant amounts of licorice.

Hypertonia is a disorder that affects the muscles and can be caused by nerve abnormalities. Licorice has been shown to reduce the levels of potassium in the blood. This may exacerbate the symptoms of hypertonia. If you have hypertonia, you should steer clear of licorice.

Licorice can cause a decrease in potassium levels in the blood, which can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). Licorice might cause your potassium levels to drop dangerously low if they are already low. If you suffer from this ailment, you should avoid eating licorice.

In patients who already have renal disease, eating a lot of licorice may make their condition worse.

Problems sexually related to consuming significant amounts of licorice can include a loss of interest in sexual activity. As a result of its ability to reduce testosterone levels, it may also make erectile dysfunction (ED) worse.

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Licorice may cause problems with maintaining a healthy blood pressure level during and after surgical procedures. Put an end to your consumption of licorice at least two weeks before your scheduled surgical procedure.

What are the interactions?

Interaction that is Not Overbearing

Take precautions when using these two together.

LICORICE and digoxin (also known as Lanoxin) interact with one another.

Consuming significant quantities of licorice can cause potassium levels in the body to drop. Digoxin’s potential adverse effects can be exacerbated by potassium deficiency.

Estrogens and licorice both interact with one another.

It appears that licorice can alter the hormone levels in the body. It’s possible that consuming licorice in conjunction with estrogen will make its effects less noticeable.

Loop diuretics, sometimes known as water pills, are known to interact with licorice.

Licorice can lower potassium levels. Loop diuretics can also lower potassium levels. Licorice and loop diuretics taken together have the potential to cause potassium levels to drop dangerously low.

Medications that are metabolized in the liver, known as substrates of the cytochrome P450 2B6 enzyme, interact with licorice.

The liver is responsible for the transformation and breakdown of certain drugs. There is a possibility that licorice will affect the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. It is possible that the effects and side effects of these medications will vary as a result of this.

Medications that are metabolized by the liver, often known as substrates for the cytochrome P450 2C9 enzyme, interact with licorice.

The liver is responsible for the transformation and breakdown of certain drugs. There is a possibility that licorice will affect the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. It is possible that the effects and side effects of these medications will vary as a result of this.

Medications that are metabolized in the liver, known as substrates of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, interact with licorice.

The liver is responsible for the transformation and breakdown of certain drugs. There is a possibility that licorice will affect the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. It is possible that the effects and side effects of these medications will vary as a result of this.

Licorice and some medications, known as antihypertensive medicines, can have an adverse interaction with one another.

There is a possibility that licorice will raise blood pressure. It’s possible that eating licorice will lessen the effectiveness of your blood pressure medicine. Always keep a tight eye on your blood pressure.

Corticosteroids, are medications used to treat inflammation, and interaction with licorice.

Licorice has the ability to slow down the rate at which the body metabolizes corticosteroids. This can make the effects of corticosteroids, as well as their negative effects, worse.

LICORICE and the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) interact.

Warfarin is taken to reduce the likelihood of blood clots forming. It’s possible that licorice can lessen the effects of warfarin. It’s possible that reducing the effects of warfarin could make the risk of blood clots higher. Always remember to get your blood examined on a regular basis. It’s possible that your current dose of warfarin needs to be adjusted.

Licorice and water tablets (diuretic medications) both have an effect on each other.

Licorice can lower potassium levels. “Water tablets” can similarly lower potassium levels. When combined, licorice and “water pills” have the potential to cause potassium levels to plummet dangerously low.

LICOrice and cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) have been shown to interact.

Cisplatin is a drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It’s possible that licorice will make cisplatin less effective.

There is an interaction between LICORICE and Midazolam (Versed).

There is a possibility that licorice will hasten the rate at which the body breaks down midazolam. It’s possible that this will lessen the effects of the midazolam.

Medications that are metabolized in the liver (known as substrates of cytochrome P450 2C19, or CYP2C19) interact with licorice.

The liver is responsible for the transformation and breakdown of certain drugs. There is a possibility that licorice will affect the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. It is possible that the effects and side effects of these medications will vary as a result of this.

Medications that are metabolized by the liver, often known as substrates for the cytochrome P450 2C8 enzyme, interact with licorice.

The liver is responsible for the transformation and breakdown of certain drugs. There is a possibility that licorice will affect the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. It is possible that the effects and side effects of these medications will vary as a result of this.

LICORICE and the chemotherapy drugs paclitaxel (Abraxane and Onxol) interact.

It’s possible that licorice will speed up the rate at which paclitaxel is broken down in the body. It is possible that the anticancer drug paclitaxel will be less effective if licorice is taken at the same time.

P-glycoprotein substrates, which are medications that are transported around in cells by pumps, interact with LICORICE.

Pumps are responsible for transporting some drugs into and out of cells. There is a possibility that licorice will alter the functioning of these pumps and the amount of medication that is retained in the body. This could potentially alter the effects of a medication, as well as its potential adverse effects.

A Slightly Interacting Party

Take caution when using these two together.

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LICORICE and the cancer drug methotrexate (which is sold under the brand name Trexall) interact.

There is a possibility that licorice will slow down the rate at which methotrexate is metabolized in the body. It’s possible that this will make the methotrexate’s effects and adverse effects worse.

Dosing

Candies, lozenges, teas, chewing tobacco, lotions, gels, patches, sprays, mouthwashes, and many more types of items contain licorice in one form or another. Licorice is a popular ingredient in many of these products. Adults have most commonly taken doses of licorice extract ranging from 100 mg to 990 mg orally once daily for a period of 2 weeks to 24 weeks.

Glycyrrhizin is one of the naturally occurring chemicals found in licorice. In most cases, the concentration of glycyrrhizin falls somewhere in the range of 1% to 12%. This molecule is responsible for the majority of the negative effects that licorice can have. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is a term that is used to refer to licorice goods that have had glycyrrhizin removed from them (DGL).

There are a lot of items labeled “licorice” that are made in the United States but don’t actually have any licorice in them. Anise oil, which has the flavor and aroma of “black licorice,” is what you’ll find inside of them instead.