Is Licorice Root Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
No, licorice root tea is best avoided during pregnancy because its glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.
Is licorice root tea safe during pregnancy?
There is no established safe amount of licorice root tea during pregnancy. The concern is based on the known effects of glycyrrhizin, a compound in licorice root, rather than clinical evidence establishing what happens after a particular cup of the tea in pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, the cautious choice is to avoid licorice root tea, including blends that list licorice root as an ingredient. Ask your pregnancy care team before using it for a symptom or as a regular drink.
If you have already had a cup, that does not mean harm has occurred. Stop drinking it for now and ask your clinician for advice based on your health, the product and how much you drank.
Why could licorice root tea be unsafe during pregnancy?
Glycyrrhizin can interfere with the way the body regulates salt and water. With sufficient exposure, this can lead to sodium and water retention, higher blood pressure and loss of potassium. Low potassium can affect muscle function and heart rhythm.
These effects are particularly concerning in pregnancy because blood pressure problems need prompt medical attention. The amount of glycyrrhizin in a cup can vary with the product, the quantity of licorice root and how it is prepared. A label may not state how much glycyrrhizin the finished tea contains.
Research has not established a pregnancy-specific risk for a cup of licorice root tea. It also does not show that occasional use is risk-free. The possibility of adverse effects from glycyrrhizin is a reason for caution, not proof that every exposure will cause a problem.
Licorice root tea should not be used to manage pregnancy symptoms or a medical condition without advice from your clinician. Having normal blood pressure or feeling well after drinking it does not establish that continued use is safe.
How much licorice root tea is safe during pregnancy?
No amount of licorice root tea has been established as safe during pregnancy, so there is no recommended serving size or frequency. Avoiding it is more reliable than trying to limit the brewing time or guessing how much licorice root is in a blend.
Check ingredient lists on herbal tea blends: licorice root can be included even when it is not the main flavor. If the label is unclear, contact the manufacturer or choose not to drink the product until you can confirm its ingredients.
Some products contain deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, often called DGL, which has had glycyrrhizin reduced. Do not assume a DGL product is glycyrrhizin-free or proven safe in pregnancy; ask your pregnancy care team before using it.
If you have already consumed licorice root tea, keep the package if possible. The ingredient list and any preparation instructions can help your clinician assess your exposure, although they may not reveal the amount of glycyrrhizin in your cup.
When should you talk to a doctor?
Tell your obstetric clinician or midwife if you have been drinking licorice root tea, especially if you have had it repeatedly or consumed a large amount. Let them know approximately how much you drank, how often and when you last had it.
Contact your care team promptly if you have high blood pressure, preeclampsia, low potassium, kidney disease or a heart rhythm condition. These conditions can make the potential effects of glycyrrhizin more concerning, even though the risk from an individual exposure cannot be calculated from the information available here.
Also ask for advice if you take medicines that affect blood pressure, potassium or heart rhythm, including diuretics, corticosteroids or digoxin. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine because of licorice root tea; your clinician can advise you about any needed assessment.
Seek immediate maternity assessment for a new severe headache, vision changes, severe upper abdominal pain or sudden swelling of the face or hands. If you are at a stage when you normally feel your baby move and notice reduced movement, contact your maternity team immediately rather than waiting.
Call emergency services for a seizure, fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath or a racing or irregular heartbeat accompanied by feeling faint. These symptoms need urgent attention regardless of whether you have consumed licorice root tea.
Frequently asked questions
Does a shorter brewing time make licorice root tea safe during pregnancy?
A shorter brewing time does not establish that the tea is safe. The amount of glycyrrhizin in the finished drink is generally unknown, and no safe pregnancy amount has been established.
Should I take potassium after drinking licorice root tea?
Do not start a potassium supplement on your own in response to licorice root tea. Ask your pregnancy care team whether you need an assessment or any treatment.