Is Licorice Root Tea Good for Gut Health?

Partly: if tolerated, licorice root tea can support digestion through hydration, but its effects on gut microbes have not been established in people. Licorice root tea contains plant compounds being studied for possible effects on the gut, yet the available research does not show that the tea treats digestive problems. It also has safety risks, particularly for people with high blood pressure or certain medical conditions.

Can licorice root tea help gut health?

Licorice root tea counts toward fluid intake, and adequate hydration helps the digestive system function and can help prevent constipation. That benefit comes from the water; it does not establish that licorice root itself improves gut health.

Research on licorice root and gut bacteria is limited to animal and laboratory work. It is too early to say whether drinking the tea changes the human gut microbiome or relieves symptoms. For a broader look at hydration and digestion, see the best drinks for gut health.

How might licorice root tea work?

Licorice root contains several plant compounds that researchers are investigating for their effects on microbes and inflammation. Some extracts have changed measurements related to gut bacteria and inflammation in experiments, but those findings do not establish the same effects in people who drink licorice root tea.

A brewed tea is not necessarily equivalent to a concentrated extract. The compounds and amounts in a cup can vary with the product and preparation, so experimental findings cannot be converted into a recommended amount of tea.

Licorice root also contains glycyrrhizin, a compound responsible for important safety concerns. Glycyrrhizin can cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, potentially raising blood pressure and affecting heart rhythm. This is a separate effect from the proposed gut benefits and matters even when a product is marketed as natural.

What does the evidence say?

In a 2022 study in mice, researchers tested licorice root and walnut leaf extracts in an experimental model of gastrointestinal Candida infection. The combination changed the abundance of some bacteria and reduced markers of inflammation. This was an animal study using extracts, not a test of licorice root tea in people; it does not show that the tea treats Candida infection or improves human gut health.

A 2023 laboratory study looked at ingredients added to yogurt starter cultures. Licorice root improved acid and bile tolerance for one type of starter bacterium under the study conditions. The experiment did not show that drinking licorice root tea increases beneficial bacteria in the human gut or improves digestive symptoms.

Together, these studies suggest questions for further research, not a proven gut-health benefit. In particular, they cannot establish whether licorice root tea helps with bloating, constipation or other persistent symptoms.

How should you use licorice root tea?

If you want to try licorice root tea and have no relevant medical risks, use a packaged product according to its label rather than treating it as a supplement or remedy. Check the ingredient list: a blend may contain other herbs or ingredients with their own effects and cautions.

There is no established amount of licorice root tea proven to improve gut health. Glycyrrhizin content can vary between products, so a serving size is not a guarantee of safety. Avoid large amounts or prolonged daily use, and ask a clinician or pharmacist before using it regularly.

Some products use deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, often called DGL, which has had glycyrrhizin reduced. Do not assume that ordinary licorice root tea is DGL, or that a DGL product is proven to improve gut health. Follow its label and discuss regular use with a clinician, especially if you take medication.

Who should be careful with licorice root tea?

Avoid licorice root tea unless your clinician says it is appropriate if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or low potassium. Ask a clinician before use if you take diuretics, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids, digoxin or medicines for an irregular heartbeat; licorice root can worsen side effects or interfere with treatment. Do not stop prescribed medication to drink it.

Avoid licorice root tea during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding or considering it for a child, check with a clinician first because safety is uncertain.

Seek urgent medical care for chest pain, fainting, a new irregular heartbeat or severe weakness after consuming licorice root tea. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood or black, tarry stools also need urgent assessment. See a doctor if digestive symptoms persist, recur or concern you rather than relying on the tea for relief.