Is Licorice Root Tea Good for Colds?

Partly: If it is safe for you, warm licorice root tea may temporarily soothe a sore throat by moistening irritated tissues, but it is not proven to treat a cold.

Can licorice root tea help with a cold?

Licorice root tea can be a comforting way to take in fluid when a cold makes your throat feel dry or scratchy. Any soothing benefit comes from warmth and moisture, not a demonstrated ability of licorice root to fight the virus.

It is not necessary for recovery, and it is not a substitute for medical care when symptoms are severe or you are at higher risk of complications. For a broader look at hydration and comfort, see the best drinks for colds and flu.

How might licorice root tea work?

A warm drink can temporarily make an irritated throat feel more comfortable and help you get fluids when you do not feel well. That relief does not mean the infection is gone or that the drink has changed how long it will last.

Licorice root contains substances, including glycyrrhizin, that are extracted during brewing. The amount in a cup can vary by product and preparation, and researchers have not established that those substances provide a meaningful cold benefit when consumed as tea.

The distinction matters because an ingredient's possible effects do not automatically translate into an effective drink. Licorice root tea also has risks that an ordinary warm drink without licorice root does not.

What is the evidence for colds and flu?

There is no established clinical evidence that licorice root tea prevents, treats or shortens a cold or flu. It has not been shown to reduce complications or replace recommended care for either infection.

Claims that licorice root is an antiviral or an immune booster should not be taken as proof that the tea helps people recover. Even if a compound shows activity against a virus in a laboratory, that would not establish that a brewed drink works against an infection in the human body.

Colds and flu are caused by viruses, but they are different illnesses. A comforting drink cannot reliably distinguish between them, and feeling better after drinking it does not show that it has treated either one.

How should you use licorice root tea for a cold?

If you are an adult and want to try licorice root tea, first check whether it is appropriate for you, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication. A pharmacist or clinician can help assess the risks.

Prepare a commercial licorice root tea according to its package directions, then let it cool to a comfortably warm temperature before sipping. There is no established dose of licorice root tea proven to help a cold, so making it stronger or drinking more is not a proven way to get better results.

Check the ingredients: products sold as teas can contain other herbs or ingredients as well as licorice root. Some products use deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, often called DGL, from which much of the glycyrrhizin has been removed; that does not establish that the product helps colds or is automatically safe for everyone.

If licorice root is unsuitable for you, warm water can provide moisture without its risks. Choose what feels comfortable rather than forcing yourself to drink a particular product.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Glycyrrhizin in licorice root can cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium. This can raise blood pressure and cause swelling; in serious cases, low potassium can contribute to an irregular heartbeat. Glycyrrhizin content varies among products, so a particular number of tea bags or a short period of use does not guarantee safety.

Avoid licorice root during pregnancy or breastfeeding. People with high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, low potassium, or fluid retention should check with a clinician before using it. Ask a clinician before giving licorice root tea to a child.

Licorice root can interact with medicines, including diuretics, corticosteroids, and some heart and blood pressure medicines. If you take any regular medication, check with a pharmacist or clinician before use; do not stop prescribed treatment to drink the tea.

Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness or an irregular heartbeat. Contact a clinician if symptoms are worsening, you cannot keep fluids down, or you have flu symptoms and are pregnant or otherwise at higher risk of complications. Prompt advice can help determine whether testing or treatment is appropriate.