Licorice

Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
Integrative Medicine
Developing Your Personal Care Plan
Integrative Medicine at Home Membership Program
Therapies, Classes & Workshops
About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products
About Mind-Body Therapies
Our Research & Clinical Trials
Multimedia

Licorice

Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
Share
Share
Licorice

Common Names

  • Gan cao
  • Sweet root
  • Glycyrrhiza
  • Liquorice

Jump to:

For Patients & Caregivers

Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.

What is it?

Licorice comes from the root of the licorice plant. It’s commonly used to flavor and sweeten foods and drinks. The herb is also an important part of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Indian medicine, known as Ayurveda.

What are the potential uses and benefits?

Licorice is used to treat:

  • Gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, discomfort, nausea, and burping
  • Peptic ulcers (sores in your stomach lining)
  • Hepatitis (swelling of the liver)
  • Bronchitis (when the tubes that carry air to your lungs are swollen)
  • Inflammation (swelling)

Licorice also has other uses that haven’t been studied by doctors to see if they work.

It’s generally safe to use licorice in food and tea. Talk with your healthcare providers before taking licorice supplements. Herbal supplements are stronger than the herbs you would use in cooking.

Supplements can also interact with some medications and affect how they work. For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.

What are the side effects?

Side effects of licorice may include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Lethargy (lack of energy)
  • Muscle pain
  • Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
  • High sodium retention
  • Low blood levels of potassium
  • Reduced desire to have sex
  • Decreased oil on your scalp
  • Low blood platelet count
  • Heavy licorice use can cause early pre-term births
What else do I need to know?

Do not take licorice if:

  • You’re taking cardiac glycosides (medications used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat). Licorice may increase their effects which can be harmful.
  • You’re taking diuretics (medications that make you urinate often). Licorice may lower your blood potassium level.
  • You have hypertension (high blood pressure) and take medication to treat it. Licorice causes hypertension and may reduce the effectiveness of hypertension medication.
  • You’re taking cortisol acetate. Licorice was reported to increase levels of cortisol in a patient with Addison’s disease (disease where your body doesn’t make enough cortisol) who took cortisone acetate. Higher levels of cortisol can lead to increased side effects.
Back to top

For Healthcare Professionals

Scientific Name
Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Clinical Summary

Derived from the root of the plant, licorice is used to flavor foods. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to detoxify and enhance or balance the effects of other components in herbal formulations. In Ayurveda, licorice is used as a tonic, an expectorant, and as a demulcent. A number of compounds including glycyrrhizin are thought to be responsible for its biological effects. Licorice supplements are promoted for menopausal symptoms, digestive issues, cough, and bacterial and viral infections. Preclinical findings indicate antibacterial (2) (27), antiviral (48), anticancer (3) (4) (28) (29), anti-inflammatory (30), and hepatoprotective (49) effects. Licorice also demonstrated estrogenic effects (10), reduced cardiotoxicity associated with doxorubicin (31), and improved the antitumor effects of cyclophosphamide (32).

Clinical data suggest benefits in lowering dyspepsia (1) and hyperlipidemia (33). Concurrent intake of a glycyrrhizin-containing product during alcohol consumption was found to have hepatoprotective effects (50). Licorice along with weight loss and lifestyle modification was found superior to lifestyle modification alone for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (80). When combined with fermented milk containing Lactobacillus paracasei, licorice reduced bacterial density and improved histologic inflammation in patients with H. pylori infection (62); and preoperative gargling with a licorice solution reduced postoperative sore throat compared to gargling with sugar water (51). Licorice also accelerated healing in patients with second-degree burns (81). Systematic reviews have confirmed benefits of topical licorice in preventing postoperative sore throat (63) (73).

Licorice use also improved symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease suggestive of neuroprotective effects (67). When used as a mouthwash, it prevented dental caries (74); improved xerostomia in hemodialysis patients (52); and as a mucoadhesive film, was useful against oral mucositis during radiotherapy (53). A systematic review and meta analysis found herbal formulas containing licorice to alleviate chemo-induced gastrointestinal toxicity in patients with colorectal cancer (75).

Of note, chronic ingestion of even moderate doses of licorice has been associated with hypertension and hypokalemia (54) (68).

Purported Uses and Benefits
  • GI disorders
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Hepatitis
  • Bronchitis
  • Inflammation
Mechanism of Action

Glycyrrhizin, one of the bioactive compounds of licorice, can bind to glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, and exert its effects via inhibition of 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (12). Licorice can reduce serum testosterone by inhibiting 17-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase (35) (36). It also contains isoflavones and other constituents that have estrogen receptor-modulating activities (10). The flavone and liquiritigenin components selectively activate ER-beta (11).

Animal studies suggest liquiritigenin may have neuroprotective effects via increasing expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and cAMP response element binding in the hippocampus (55). Glycyrrhizic acid, a triterpene glycoside, demonstrated anti-allergic properties by restoring the immune balance of subsets 1 and 2 of T-helper cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also reduced B cells producing allergen-specific IgE and IgG1 (56).

Licorice demonstrated chemopreventive effects by modulating expression of Bcl-2/Bax proteins, which act as apoptotic regulatory factors (3), and via inhibiting carcinogenesis (4). Other mechanisms include inducing apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway (60), and by modulating cyclin B1-CDK1 for G2/M arrest in prostate cancer cells (61).

The most common side effect of licorice is hypokalemic hypertension, which occurs secondary to inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a renal enzyme responsible for converting cortisol to cortisone. This inhibition results in enhancing the mineralocorticoid effects of cortisol (36) that include sodium retention and potassium excretion.

Warnings

Due to the adverse reaction profile of licorice, many researchers used the deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract that is free of glycyrrhizin.

Adverse Reactions
  • Hypertension (16) (45) (57) (59) (66) (68) (70) (71) (82), hypertensive retinopathy and nephropathy (59), lethargy, muscle pain, sodium retention, hypokalemia (17) (18) (19) (20) (26) (41) (59) (68) (70), adrenal crisis (21), ventricular fibrillation (22), cardiac arrythmias (24) (83), glycyrrhizic acid poisoning (25), leukoderma (42), thrombocytopenia (43) , pseudohyperaldosteronism (84) (85), and carpal tunnel syndrome (23) with ingestion of licorice or licorice containing products.
  • Intracranial hemorrhagic stroke and cerebral microbleeds: In a 68-year-old woman, associated with excessive use of licorice. Her symptoms resolved after discontinuing licorice  (64).
  • Early preterm births: A systematic review showed an association between heavy licorice use and early preterm births (65).
  • Cardiac arrest: In several cases following excessive consumption of licorice products (69) (72).
  • Severe refractory hypokalaemia with hypertensive crisis and acute pulmonary oedema: In a 79-year-old woman, associated with excessive consumption of licorice. Her symptoms improved after stopping licorice use (76).
  • Arterial hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis: In several cases following excessive intake of licorice. In all cases, symptoms resolved after appropriate treatments (77).
  • Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis: In a 50-year-old woman, associated with long-term use of licorice. Her symptoms improved after discontinuing licorice (78).
  • Lethal arrhythmia: In an 89-year-old woman following licorice use to treat chronic constipation for 2 months (86).
Herb-Drug Interactions
  • Cardiac glycosides: Licorice may potentiate toxicity (24).
  • Diuretics: Licorice may increase the risk of hypokalemia (17) (18).
  • Insulin: Licorice may increase insulin sensitivity (38) . Clinical relevance is not known.
  • Anticoagulants: Licorice may increase the metabolism and clearance of warfarin (19). Clinical relevance is not known.
  • Cyclosporine: Licorice greatly reduced the oral bioavailability of cyclosporine by activating P-gp and CYP3A4 (46). Clinical relevance is not known.
  • Cortisol acetate: Licorice increased cortisol availability in patients with Addison’s disease in the hours following oral administration of cortisone acetate (47).
  • Metformin: Pre-administration of licorice juice reduced the efficacy of metformin, in a rat model (58). The clinical relevance has yet to be determined.
  • Antihypertensives: Because of its hypertensive effects, licorice may interfere with antihypertensive medications (66).
  • MAO-inhibitors: Licorice may potentiate activity of MAOIs. Clinical relevance is not known (37).
  • P-glycoprotein substrates: Licorice inhibited P-gp, resulting in increased intracellular concentration of the chemotherapy agent daunorubicin, which is a substrate of P-gp (34). Clinical relevance is not known.
  • CYP450 substrates: Glycyrrhizin, a major constituent of licorice, induces CYP3A (39) and CYP2D6 (44), and can affect the intracellular concentration of drugs metabolized by this enzyme. However, other constituents, like glabridin, glycycoumarin and licochalcone A from different species of licorice can inhibit these enzymes (40). In another report, a standardized licorice extract did not cause any clinically relevant interactions with CYP3A4/5, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, or CYP1A2 (87).
  • Phenprocoumon: Licorice use resulted in a sudden drop in INR values following an ischemic stroke in a 92-year-old female patient being treated with phenprocouman for stroke prevention. Her symptoms improved after continued treatment with phenprocoumon together with physio- and speech therapies (79).
Dosage (OneMSK Only)
References
  1. Madisch A, Holtmann G, Mayr G, et al. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a herbal preparation. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Digestion. 2004;69(1):45-52.
  2. Gupta VK, Fatima A, Faridi U, et al. Antimicrobial potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 5 2008;116(2):377-380.
  3. Jo EH, Hong HD, Ahn NC, et al. Modulations of the Bcl-2/Bax family were involved in the chemopreventive effects of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell. J Agric Food Chem. Mar 24 2004;52(6):1715-1719.
  4. Takahashi T, Takasuka N, Iigo M, et al. Isoliquiritigenin, a flavonoid from licorice, reduces prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide, causes apoptosis, and suppresses aberrant crypt foci development. Cancer Sci. May 2004;95(5):448-453.
  5. De Smet PAGM. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs. Vol 3. New York: Springer: 1997.
  6. Lin SH, Yang SS, Chau T, et al. An unusual cause of hypokalemic paralysis: chronic licorice ingestion. Am J Med Sci. Mar 2003;325(3):153-156.
  7. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 1998.
  8. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. 1st ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.
  9. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, et al. Herbal Medicine, Expanded Commission E Monographs. Austin: American Botanical Council; 2000.
  10. Somjen D, Knoll E, Vaya J, et al. Estrogen-like activity of licorice root constituents: glabridin and glabrene, in vascular tissues in vitro and in vivo. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. Jul 2004;91(3):147-155.
  11. Mersereau JE, Levy N, Staub RE, et al. Liquiritigenin is a plant-derived highly selective estrogen receptor beta agonist. Mol Cell Endocrinol. Feb 13 2008;283(1-2):49-57.
  12. Tyler V. Herbs of Choice, the Therapeutical Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton: Pharmaceutical Press; 1994.
  13. Miyamura M, Ono M, Kyotani S, et al. [Properties of glycyrrhizin in Kampo extracts including licorice root and changes in the blood concentration of glycyrrhetic acid after oral administration of Kampo extracts]. Yakugaku Zasshi. Mar 1996;116(3):209-216.
  14. Stormer FC, Reistad R, Alexander J. Glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice—evaluation of health hazard. Food Chem Toxicol. Apr 1993;31(4):303-312.
  15. Ichikawa T, Ishida S, Sakiya Y, et al. Biliary excretion and enterohepatic cycling of glycyrrhizin in rats. J Pharm Sci. Jul 1986;75(7):672-675.
  16. Breidthardt T, Namdar M, Hess B. A hypertensive urgency induced by the continuous intake of a herbal remedy containing liquorice. J Hum Hypertens. 2006 Jun;20(6):465-6.
  17. Yasue H, Itoh T, Mizuno Y, Harada E. Severe hypokalemia, rhabdomyolysis, muscle paralysis, and respiratory impairment in a hypertensive patient taking herbal medicines containing licorice. Intern Med. 2007;46(9):575-8.
  18. Mumoli N, Cei M. Licorice-induced hypokalemia. Int J Cardiol. 2008 Mar 14;124(3):e42-4.
  19. Mu Y, Zhang J, Zhang S, Zhou HH, Toma D, Ren S, et al. Traditional Chinese medicines Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis Baill) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) activate pregnane X receptor and increase warfarin clearance in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006 Mar;316(3):1369-77.
  20. Templin C, Westhoff-Bleck M, Ghadri JR. Hypokalemic paralysis with rhabdomyolysis and arterial hypertension caused by liquorice ingestion. Clin Res Cardiol. 2009 Feb;98(2):130-2.
  21. Isaia GC, Pellissetto C, Ravazzoli M, Tamone C. Acute adrenal crisis and hypercalcemia in a patient assuming high liquorice doses. Minerva Med. 2008 Feb;99(1):91-4.
  22. Gerritsen KG, Meulenbelt J, Spiering W, et al. An unusual cause of ventricular fibrillation. Lancet. 2009 Mar 28;373(9669):1144.
  23. Tacconi P, Paribello A, Cannas A, Marrosu MG. Carpal tunnel syndrome triggered by excessive licorice consumption. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2009 Mar;14(1):64-5.
  24. Yorgun H, Aksoy H, Sendur MA, et al. Brugada syndrome with aborted sudden cardiac death related to liquorice-induced hypokalemia. Med Princ Pract. 2010;19(6):485-9.
  25. Caubet-Kamar N, Tubery M, Garrouste C, Lauque D, Kamar N. Harmful effect of saline infusion in a patient with glycyrrhizic acid poisoning. CJEM. 2010 May;12(3):224-5.
  26. Støving RK, Lingqvist LE, Bonde RK, Is glycyrrhizin sensitivity increased in anorexia nervosa and should licorice be avoided? Case report and review of the literature. Nutrition. Jul-Aug 2011;27(7-8):855-8.
  27. Badr AE, Omar N, Badria FA. A laboratory evaluation of the antibacterial and cytotoxic effect of Liquorice when used as root canal medicament. Int Endod J. 2010 Aug 31.
  28. Kim YH, Shin EK, Kim DH, et al. Antiangiogenic effect of licochalcone A. Biochem Pharmacol. 2010 Oct 15;80(8):1152-9.
  29. Park SY, Lim SS, Kim JK, et al. Hexane-ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis containing licoricidin inhibits the metastatic capacity of DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Br J Nutr. 2010 May 21:1-11.
  30. Chandrasekaran CV, Deepak HB, Thiyagarajan P, et al. Dual inhibitory effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard™) on COX and LOX products. Phytomedicine. 2011 Feb 15;18(4):278-84.
  31. Choi HJ, Seon MR, Lim SS, et al. Hexane/ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis licorice suppresses doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in H9c2 rat cardiac myoblasts. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2008 Dec;233(12):1554-60.
  32. Gol’dberg ED, Amosova EN, Zueva EP, et al. Licorice preparations improve efficiency of chemotherapy and surgical treatment of transplanted tumors. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008 Feb;145(2):252-5.
  33. Hasani-Ranjbar S, Nayebi N, Moradi L, et al. The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia; a systematic review. Curr Pharm Des. 2010;16(26):2935-47.
  34. Nabekura T, Yamaki T, Ueno K, Kitagawa S. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance protein 1 by dietary phytochemicals. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2008 Oct;62(5):867-73.
  35. Armanini D, Mattarello MJ, Fiore C, et al. Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy women. Steroids. 2004 Oct-Nov;69(11-12):763-6.
  36. Armanini D, Bonanni G, Mattarello MJ, et al. Licorice consumption and serum testosterone in healthy man. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2003 Sep;111(6):341-3.
  37. Hatano T, Fukuda T, Miyase T, Noro T, Okuda T. Phenolic constituents of licorice. III. Structures of glicoricone and licofuranone, and inhibitory effects of licorice constituents on monoamine oxidase. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1991 May;39(5):1238-43.
  38. Eu CH, Lim WY, Ton SH, bin Abdul Kadir K. Glycyrrhizic acid improved lipoprotein lipase expression, insulin sensitivity, serum lipid and lipid deposition in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Lipids Health Dis. 2010 Jul 29;9:81.
  39. Tu JH, He YJ, Chen Y, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on the activity of CYP3A enzyme in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Aug;66(8):805-810.
  40. Li G, Simmler C, Chen L, et al. Cytochrome P450 inhibition by three licorice species and fourteen licorice constituents. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2017 Jul 31;109:182-190.
  41. Pant P, Nadimpalli L, Singh M, Cheng JC. A case of severe hypokalemic paralysis and hypertension. Licorice-induced hypokalemic paralysis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010 Jun;55(6):A35-7.
  42. Madhogaria S, Ahmed I. Leucoderma after use of a skin-lightening cream containing kojic dipalmitate, liquorice root extract and Mitracarpus scaber extract. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2010 Jun;35(4):e103-5.
  43. Celik M, Karakus A, Zeren C, et al. Licorice induced hypokalemia, edema, and thrombocytopenia. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2012 Dec;31(12):1295-8.
  44. Pandit S, Ponnusankar S, Bandyopadhyay A, et al. Exploring the possible metabolism mediated interaction of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.Phytother Res. 2011 Oct;25(10):1429-34.
  45. Ruiz-Granados ES, Shouls G, Sainsbury C, Antonios T. A salty cause of severe hypertension. BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Feb 25;2012.
  46. Hou YC, Lin SP, Chao PD. Liquorice reduced cyclosporine bioavailability by activating P-glycoprotein and CYP 3A. Food Chem. 2012 Dec 15;135(4):2307-12.
  47. Methlie P, Husebye EE, Hustad S, Lien EA, Løvås K. Grapefruit juice and licorice increase cortisol availability in patients with Addison’s disease.Eur J Endocrinol. 2011 Nov;165(5):761-9.
  48. Kuo KK, Chang JS, Wang KC, et al. Water extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis inhibited enterovirus 71 in a human foreskin fibroblast cell line. Am J Chin Med. 2009;37(2):383-94.
  49. Huo HZ, Wang B, Liang YK, et al. Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effects of Licorice Extract against CCl(4)-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rats. Int J Mol Sci. 2011;12(10):6529-43.
  50. Chigurupati H, Auddy B, Biyani M, Stohs SJ. Hepatoprotective Effects of a Proprietary Glycyrrhizin Product during Alcohol Consumption: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. Phytother Res. 2016 Dec;30(12):1943-1953.
  51. Ruetzler K, Fleck M, Nabecker S, et al. A randomized, double-blind comparison of licorice versus sugar-water gargle for prevention of postoperative sore throat and postextubation coughing.Anesth Analg. 2013 Sep;117(3):614-21.
  52. Yu IC, Tsai YF, Fang JT, Yeh MM, Fang JY, Liu CY. Effects of mouthwash interventions on xerostomia and unstimulated whole saliva flow rate among hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2016 Nov;63:9-17.
  53. Ghalayani P, Emami H, Pakravan F, Nasr Isfahani M. Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide mucoadhesive film with licorice mucoadhesive film on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017 Apr;13(2):e48-e56.
  54. Penninkilampi R, Eslick EM, Eslick GD. The association between consistent licorice ingestion, hypertension and hypokalaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Hum Hypertens. 2017 Nov;31(11):699-707.
  55. Ko YH, Kwon SH, Lee SY, Jang CG. Liquiritigenin ameliorates memory and cognitive impairment through cholinergic and BDNF pathways in the mouse hippocampus. Arch Pharm Res. 2017 Oct;40(10):1209-1217.
  56. Han S, Sun L, He F, Che H. Anti-allergic activity of glycyrrhizic acid on IgE-mediated allergic reaction by regulation of allergy-related immune cells.Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 3;7(1):7222.
  57. Foster CA, Church KS, Poddar M, Van Uum SH, Spaic T. Licorice-induced hypertension: a case of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to jelly bean ingestion. Postgrad Med. 2017 Apr;129(3):329-331.
  58. Awad R, Mallah E, Khawaja BA, et al. Pomegranate and licorice juices modulate metformin pharmacokinetics in rats. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2016 Jul;37(3):202-206.
  59. Li J, Fan X, Wang Q. Hypertensive crisis with 2 target organ impairment induced by glycyrrhizin: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Mar;97(11):e0073.
  60. Oh HN, Seo JH, Lee MH, et al. Licochalcone C induced apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Dec;119(12):10118-10130.
  61. Zhang B, Lai Y, Li Y, Shu N, Wang Z, Wang Y, Li Y, Chen Z. Antineoplastic activity of isoliquiritigenin, a chalcone compound, in androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells linked to G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Feb 15;821:57-67.
  62. Yoon JY, Cha JM, Hong SS, et al. Fermented milk containing Lactobacillus paracasei and Glycyrrhiza glabra has a beneficial effect in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Aug;98(35):e16601
  63. Kuriyama A, Maeda H. Topical application of licorice for prevention of postoperative sore throat in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Anesth. 2019 May;54:25-32.
  64. Shin H, Chung M, Rose DZ. Licorice Root Associated With Intracranial Hemorrhagic Stroke and Cerebral Microbleeds. Neurohospitalist. 2019 Jul;9(3):169-171.
  65. Muñoz Balbontín Y, Stewart D, Shetty A, Fitton CA, McLay JS. Herbal Medicinal Product Use During Pregnancy and the Postnatal Period: A Systematic Review. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 May;133(5):920-932.
  66. Wallbach M, Lach N, Stock J, et al. Direct assessment of adherence and drug interactions in patients with hypertensive crisis-A cross-sectional study in the Emergency Department. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2019 Jan;21(1):55-63.
  67. Petramfar P, Hajari F, Yousefi G, Azadi S, Hamedi A. Efficacy of oral administration of licorice as an adjunct therapy on improving the symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease, A randomized double blinded clinical trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Jan 30;247:112226.
  68. Kwon YJ, Son DH, Chung TH, Lee YJ. A Review of the Pharmacological Efficacy and Safety of Licorice Root from Corroborative Clinical Trial Findings.J Med Food. 2020 Jan;23(1):12-20.
  69. Edelman ER, Butala NM, Avery LL, et al. Case 30-2020: A 54-Year-Old Man with Sudden Cardiac Arrest. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1263-1275.
  70. Awad N, Makar G, Burroughs V, et al. Licorice-induced apparent mineralocorticoid excess causing persistent hypertension and hypokalemia. Acta Endocrinol (Buchar). Oct-Dec 2020;16(4):508-510.
  71. Pandher R, Puvanendran A, Diamond TH. The dangers of herbal teas: hypertension and weakness caused by liquorice-induced apparent mineralocorticoid excess. Med J Aust. Sep 2020;213(5):207-208.e201.
  72. Attou R, Redant S, Honore PM, et al. Liquorice Intoxication Can Lead to Cardiac Arrest! Case Rep Emerg Med. 2020;2020:3727682.
  73. Wang G, Qi Y, Wu L, Jiang G. Comparative Efficacy of 6 Topical Pharmacological Agents for Preventive Interventions of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Anesth Analg. 2021 Jul 1;133(1):58-67.
  74. Kim YR, Nam SH. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of a Mouthwash Containing Glycyrrhiza uralensis Extract for Preventing Dental Caries. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 26;19(1):242.
  75. Chen Y, Cheng CS, Tan HY, et al. Efficacy of Herbal Medicines Intervention for Colorectal Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Gastrointestinal Toxicity - a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol. 2021 Mar 25;11:629132.
  76. McHugh J, Nagabathula R, Kyithar MP. A life-threatening case of pseudo-aldosteronism secondary to excessive liquorice ingestion. BMC Endocr Disord. 2021 Aug 6;21(1):158.
  77. Bangert K, Kluger MA, Kluge S, Janneck M. Life-Threatening Complications of Excessive Licorice Consumption. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Dec 27;118(51-52):890-891.
  78. Jin YR, Zhou H, Liu ZZ, Li XF, Liang J. Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis occurring after long-term medication with licorice: A case report. 
    J Dig Dis. 2022 Mar;23(3):183-185.
  79. Roemer HC, Kunz L, Botzenhardt S. The influence of excessive consumption of liquorice on phenprocoumon (Marcumar®): a case report. J Int Med Res. 2021 Nov;49(11):3000605211049649.
  80. Rostamizadeh P, Asl SMKH, Far ZG, et al. Effects of licorice root supplementation on liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.  Phytother Res. 2022 Oct;36(10):3949-3956.
  81. Zabihi M, Hatefi B, Ardakani ME, Ranjbar AM, Mohammadi F. Impact of licorice root on the burn healing process: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.  Complement Ther Med. 2023 May;73:102941. 
  82. Blanpain JS. A Licorice-Flavored Edema: A Case Report of Glycyrrhizic Acid Toxicity From Chronic Licorice Root Consumption. Cureus. 2023 Jan 31;15(1):e34425. 
  83. Molina-Lopez V, Engel-Rodriguez A, Escabi-Mendoza J. Close Call From a Sweet Twist: A Case of Licorice-Induced Torsades De Pointes.  Cureus. 2023 Jan 24;15(1):e34126. 
  84. Arai M, Isono H, Isono M, Ihara K, Kondo K. A Case of Pseudohyperaldosteronism Induced by Yokukansan and Shakuyakukanzoto That Resulted in Severe Hypokalemia.  Cureus. 2023 Apr 28;15(4):e38267. 
  85. Khan O, Hashim M, Lu T, et al. Pseudo Hyperaldosteronism Secondary to Herbal Medicine Use.  J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2022 Nov 7;12(6):116-118.
  86. Han EJ, Park JS. Lethal Arrhythmia Induced by Licorice.  J Korean Med Sci. 2023 Mar 27;38(12):e107. 
  87. Liu J, Banuvar S, Viana M, et al. Pharmacokinetic Interactions of a Licorice Dietary Supplement with Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Female Participants. Drug Metab Dispos. 2023 Feb;51(2):199-204. 
Back to top
Back to top
Email your questions and comments to [email protected].

Last Updated