Is Licorice Root Tea Good for Cough?

Partly, if a cough comes with throat irritation, licorice root tea may provide temporary comfort because warm liquid can soothe the throat, but licorice root itself is not proven to treat cough.

Licorice root tea is an herbal drink with a naturally sweet taste. It is not suitable for everyone, and its potential risks matter even when it is used as a tea.

When might licorice root tea help a cough?

A warm cup may feel comforting when your throat is dry or irritated and that irritation makes you want to cough. Any relief is likely to be temporary, and the warmth of the liquid may account for it rather than an effect of licorice root.

Licorice root tea has not been shown to treat the cause of a cough or make a cough go away faster. A cough can have many causes, so do not rely on the tea instead of an evaluation if your symptoms are concerning or persistent.

For more options that may make an irritated throat more comfortable, see the best drinks for cough.

How might licorice root tea soothe a cough?

Warm liquids can moisten and soothe an irritated throat. If throat irritation is contributing to your urge to cough, drinking something warm may make you feel more comfortable for a while.

That is different from proving that licorice root has a specific effect on coughing. It is also different from showing that the tea clears mucus, prevents an infection or treats inflammation in the lungs. The amount of licorice root that enters a cup can vary with the product and preparation.

You do not need to drink the tea very hot for it to be comforting. Let it cool enough to avoid burning your mouth or throat, especially if your throat is already sore.

What does the evidence say about licorice root and cough?

There is no established clinical evidence that drinking licorice root tea reliably reduces how often people cough or how long a cough lasts. Traditional use and individual reports of relief are not enough to establish that it works.

It is also important to distinguish licorice root as an ingredient from licorice root tea. Even if research investigates a licorice root extract or another preparation, its findings cannot automatically be applied to a cup of tea. Products can differ in their ingredients and strength.

The lack of reliable evidence does not prove that a warm cup cannot feel soothing. It means you should treat any comfort as temporary symptom relief, not as a proven cough treatment.

How can you use licorice root tea for a cough?

If licorice root tea is appropriate for you, a commercially packaged tea is easier to prepare according to its label. There is no established effective dose of licorice root tea for cough, and following a package serving suggestion does not guarantee that it is safe for everyone.

Ingredients

1 licorice root tea bag; check the package for the licorice root content
1 cup (240 mL) hot water, or the amount directed on the package

Steps

Place the tea bag in a heat-safe cup.
Pour the hot water over it and steep according to the package directions.
Remove the tea bag and let the drink cool to a comfortable temperature before sipping.

Use it for comfort rather than as a regular cough remedy. Check whether other herbal products you take also contain licorice root, since using more than one can increase your total exposure.

Who should be careful with licorice root tea?

Licorice root can contain glycyrrhizin, a compound that can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Low potassium can contribute to serious heart rhythm problems. Risk is greater with substantial or prolonged use, but some people are more susceptible and can have problems with smaller amounts.

Avoid licorice root tea during pregnancy unless your clinician specifically recommends it. If you are breastfeeding, ask a clinician before using it. Check with a child's clinician before giving it to a child; products and strengths vary.

Ask a clinician or pharmacist before using licorice root tea if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or low potassium. Also check first if you take medicines such as diuretics, corticosteroids, digoxin or medicines for blood pressure. Do not stop or change prescribed medicine to make room for the tea.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root products have less glycyrrhizin, but they are not proven cough treatments, and product contents can vary. A label does not replace individual advice if you have a condition or take medicines that make licorice root a concern.

Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Contact a clinician if a cough lasts more than 3 weeks, worsens, or comes with a persistent or returning fever; seek advice sooner for an infant or someone with a significant health condition.