Is Licorice Root Tea Good for Sore Throat?

Partly: warm licorice root tea may briefly soothe a mild sore throat by moistening irritated tissue, but it has not been shown to treat the cause.

Is licorice root tea a good choice for a sore throat?

Licorice root tea may be comforting if you enjoy it and have no reason to avoid licorice root. Its potential benefit is mainly as a warm liquid, not as a proven remedy for infection or inflammation.

For other soothing options, see the best drinks for sore throat. A sore throat can have several causes, and a drink cannot tell you which one you have.

How might licorice root tea soothe a sore throat?

Warm liquids can moisten a dry, irritated throat and make swallowing feel more comfortable for a while. The warmth may also feel soothing, although very hot drinks can irritate or burn the tissue. Let the tea cool to a comfortable temperature before drinking it.

Licorice root contains natural plant compounds, including glycyrrhizin. Researchers have studied licorice root for possible effects on microbes, but that does not establish that these compounds relieve a sore throat when consumed as tea. It is also unclear whether licorice root tea provides more relief than another warm drink.

Any comfort is likely to be temporary. The tea should not be used to replace an evaluation or prescribed treatment when those are needed.

What does the evidence say?

The evidence for licorice root tea specifically is limited. In a 2019 laboratory study of herbal infusions, a licorice root infusion inhibited the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacterium that can cause strep throat. The researchers also examined effects on bacterial biofilms in the laboratory.

That result does not show that drinking licorice root tea treats strep throat. Bacteria exposed to an infusion in a laboratory are not the same as an infection in a person, and the study did not demonstrate symptom relief in people drinking the tea. It also does not establish an effective or safe amount to drink.

Many sore throats are caused by viruses rather than strep bacteria. If a clinician suspects strep throat, testing can help guide care; tea is not a substitute for that assessment or for treatment when prescribed.

How should you use licorice root tea for a sore throat?

If you are an adult without the risk factors below, consider licorice root tea an occasional comfort drink rather than a course of treatment. Check the ingredient list: a blend may contain other herbs, and the amount of glycyrrhizin can vary between products. There is no established amount of licorice root tea proven both effective for sore throat and safe for everyone.

Prepare a commercially packaged tea according to its label, then allow it to cool until it is comfortably warm. Sip it for comfort rather than trying to drink large amounts. If it irritates your throat or you feel unwell after drinking it, stop and seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Avoid frequent or prolonged use without medical advice. If you take medicines or have a health condition, ask a clinician or pharmacist whether licorice root is appropriate before trying it.

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

Licorice root containing glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure, lower potassium and cause fluid retention. These effects can contribute to abnormal heart rhythms, particularly with excessive or prolonged use; some people are more susceptible than others.

Avoid licorice root or check with a healthcare professional before using it if you have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or low potassium. Also check if you take medicines such as diuretics, digoxin, blood pressure medicines or corticosteroids, because licorice root can affect their safety or effects. Do not stop a prescribed medicine to drink the tea.

During pregnancy or breastfeeding, avoid licorice root tea unless your clinician advises otherwise. Ask a child's healthcare professional before giving it to them. Products labeled deglycyrrhizinated licorice root may contain less glycyrrhizin, but they are not proven sore-throat treatments and should not be assumed suitable for everyone.

Seek urgent medical care for trouble breathing, inability to swallow saliva or drooling. Contact a healthcare professional if a sore throat worsens, does not improve, or comes with fever or a rash. Seek prompt care for symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat or severe weakness after consuming licorice root.