Is Licorice Root Tea Good for Stomach Aches?

Partly: licorice root tea might help some mild stomach aches because licorice root contains compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, but the tea has not been proven to relieve pain. Licorice root tea also has important safety risks, so it is not a suitable remedy for everyone.

Can licorice root tea help a stomach ache?

Licorice root has a history of use for digestive complaints, but traditional use does not establish that a cup of tea will help. A mild, occasional ache may settle on its own, making it difficult to tell whether the tea made a difference.

Stomach aches have many possible causes, and licorice root tea will not address all of them. It should not be used to delay assessment of pain that is severe, recurring or getting worse.

For a broader discussion of options, see the best drinks for stomach aches.

How might licorice root work?

Licorice root contains several biologically active compounds, including glycyrrhizic acid and flavonoids. Some licorice root compounds have shown anti-inflammatory activity in research, which offers a possible explanation for its traditional use for digestive discomfort.

That proposed mechanism does not establish that enough of the relevant compounds reach the stomach in a brewed cup to relieve pain. The contents of a cup can also vary with the product and how it is prepared.

Glycyrrhizic acid is relevant to safety as well as the proposed effects. It can interfere with the body's regulation of cortisol, contributing to fluid retention, raised blood pressure and low potassium. Those effects can be serious, particularly in people who are susceptible.

What does the evidence say?

A 2008 review of licorice root pharmacology describes its traditional uses and research on licorice root and its individual compounds. It discusses anti-inflammatory activity, but it does not establish that licorice root tea treats stomach aches.

The distinction between an ingredient and a drink matters. Results involving a licorice root extract or an isolated compound cannot automatically be applied to a cup of licorice root tea, which may contain different amounts of those compounds.

The review also does not provide a proven effective tea dose for stomach pain. The evidence is therefore limited: a possible biological effect is not the same as a demonstrated benefit for someone drinking the tea.

How should you use licorice root tea?

If you are an adult without the risk factors below and want to try licorice root tea occasionally for mild discomfort, prepare a commercial product according to its package directions. Follow the label rather than making an extra-strong brew or assuming that more will work better.

Package directions are not a guarantee that a product is safe for every person. Products can differ in their licorice root and glycyrrhizic acid content, and there is no established tea dose proven to relieve stomach aches.

Do not keep using licorice root tea as a remedy for ongoing or repeated pain. If the ache does not settle, comes back, or is accompanied by other symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional about the cause instead of increasing the amount or frequency of the tea.

Who should avoid it, and when should you see a doctor?

Avoid licorice root tea unless a clinician advises otherwise if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or low potassium. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children, should also avoid it unless their clinician specifically recommends it.

Check with a clinician or pharmacist before using licorice root tea if you take medicines, especially diuretics, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids or heart medicines such as digoxin. Licorice root can interact with medicines or make their side effects more concerning. Do not stop prescribed medication to drink the tea.

Stop using licorice root tea and seek prompt medical advice if you develop swelling, muscle weakness or heart palpitations. Seek emergency care for chest pain, fainting or difficulty breathing.

Get urgent medical help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or black or bloody stools. Contact a healthcare professional if pain persists or keeps returning, or if vomiting makes it difficult to keep fluids down.