Is Licorice Root Tea Good for Diarrhea?

No, if you have diarrhea, licorice root tea is not a proven treatment: it provides fluid, but its compounds have not been shown to stop diarrhea in people.

Licorice root tea also contains compounds that can cause health problems for some people. Replacing lost fluid and salts and watching for signs of dehydration are more important than trying an herbal remedy.

Can licorice root tea help with diarrhea?

Licorice root tea may contribute to fluid intake, but that does not mean it treats the cause of diarrhea or reliably makes stools less frequent. There is not enough human evidence to recommend it as a diarrhea remedy.

Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially when it is frequent or accompanied by vomiting. For replacing lost fluid and salts, use a commercial oral rehydration solution mixed exactly as directed; see the best drinks for diarrhea for more guidance.

Do not rely on licorice root tea instead of medical care if symptoms are severe, you cannot keep fluids down, or you are at increased risk of dehydration.

How might licorice root work?

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a compound studied for several biological effects. Some laboratory research has examined whether glycyrrhizin affects a virus and inflammatory responses, but those findings do not establish that drinking licorice root tea helps a person with diarrhea.

The fluid in licorice root tea can contribute to hydration. However, the tea is not a substitute for an oral rehydration solution, which is formulated to replace both fluid and salts lost through diarrhea.

Glycyrrhizin also has a less helpful effect: it can cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium. This can raise blood pressure and, in some circumstances, contribute to an irregular heartbeat. The amount of glycyrrhizin can vary between licorice root products, so a tea label may not tell you how much you are getting.

What does the evidence say?

The available evidence is limited and indirect. We found no human clinical trial showing that licorice root tea improves diarrhea.

In a 2017 laboratory study, glycyrrhizin inhibited a pig diarrhea virus and reduced markers of inflammatory responses in cultured cells. The study tested an isolated compound against a virus that affects pigs; it did not test licorice root tea or show an effect on human diarrhea.

A 2024 veterinary study investigated licorice root extract in chicks infected with a parasite. It examined a different species, a specific infection and an extract added to feed—not a brewed tea given to people. Its findings cannot establish whether licorice root tea is effective or safe for human diarrhea.

Research on an ingredient, even when promising, does not automatically apply to a finished drink. The preparation, amount absorbed and cause of diarrhea may all differ.

How should you use licorice root tea if you have diarrhea?

There is no established medicinal dose of licorice root tea for diarrhea. Because products vary and glycyrrhizin can cause adverse effects, do not use repeated cups as a treatment or assume that a stronger brew will work better.

If you still want to drink licorice root tea, check with a clinician or pharmacist first, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication. If they say it is suitable for you, follow their advice and the product’s preparation directions rather than treating the label as proof that it will relieve diarrhea.

Keep track of whether you can drink enough, whether you are urinating, and whether your symptoms are improving. If diarrhea continues or you are concerned about dehydration, contact a clinician. The appropriate care depends on the cause, your symptoms and your health history.

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

Ask a clinician before using licorice root tea if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or low potassium. These conditions can make glycyrrhizin’s effects more concerning.

Also check first if you take a diuretic, digoxin, blood pressure medication or corticosteroids, because licorice root can interact with medicines or make their effects harder to manage. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without the advice of your prescriber.

Pregnant people and children should not use licorice root tea as a diarrhea remedy without medical advice. Infants, young children, older adults and people with serious health conditions can become dehydrated more readily, so contact a clinician promptly when diarrhea occurs in someone at higher risk.

Seek urgent medical care for bloody or black stools, severe abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, or very little urine. Contact a clinician promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, have a high fever, or diarrhea is not improving.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice, often called DGL, has much of its glycyrrhizin removed, but it is not a proven diarrhea treatment. Its availability does not establish that a particular product is safe or appropriate for you.