Licorice Root Tea Side Effects

Licorice root tea can cause high blood pressure, low potassium and fluid retention, particularly with repeated use or concentrated products.

These effects can be serious, especially for people with heart or kidney conditions. The risks of licorice root tea depend partly on the amount of glycyrrhizin, a naturally occurring compound in licorice root, in the drink.

Is licorice root tea safe?

Licorice root tea is not equally safe for everyone. Some people may be more sensitive to glycyrrhizin, and the amount in a cup can vary with the product and how it is prepared. Frequent or prolonged use is more concerning than an occasional drink, but a cup limit cannot reliably be used to rule out harm.

Glycyrrhizin can interfere with an enzyme that normally limits the effects of cortisol in the kidneys. This can produce effects similar to those of a hormone that regulates salt and potassium, causing the body to retain sodium and water while losing potassium.

A 2008 review of licorice pharmacology and adverse effects describes research on licorice and its active compounds. That evidence is not the same as a reliable estimate of side-effect rates for a particular licorice root tea. Severe effects are possible, but the available evidence does not establish how often each effect occurs in tea drinkers.

What are the 5 main side effects, starting with high blood pressure?

The following effects are related, and more than one can occur at the same time. Their order is not a proven ranking of how often they happen.

1. High blood pressure

Licorice root tea can raise blood pressure because glycyrrhizin can cause sodium and water retention. The effect is especially concerning if you already have high blood pressure or heart or kidney disease.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid licorice root tea unless your clinician says it is appropriate. If your blood pressure is higher than usual after using it, stop drinking it and contact a clinician for advice; do not change prescribed blood pressure medication on your own.

The mechanism and adverse effects of licorice compounds are described in review evidence, rather than trials establishing a safe amount of licorice root tea. The amount needed to cause a problem can vary between people and products.

Can licorice root tea lower potassium?

2. Low potassium

Glycyrrhizin can increase potassium loss through the kidneys. Potassium helps muscles and the heart work normally, so a low level can have consequences beyond a laboratory result.

If you have been told your potassium is low, avoid licorice root tea unless your clinician advises otherwise. Some medicines, including certain diuretics and laxatives, can also lower potassium and may increase concern about using licorice root tea.

The link between licorice compounds and potassium loss is biologically well described, but the evidence does not tell you how many cups of a particular tea would be safe. A blood test, rather than symptoms alone, is needed to determine your potassium level.

Can licorice root tea cause swelling?

3. Fluid retention

When glycyrrhizin promotes sodium retention, the body can retain water too. This may contribute to swelling, including around the ankles, and can be particularly concerning for someone with heart, kidney or liver disease.

If you notice new swelling while drinking licorice root tea, stop using it and contact a clinician. Swelling has many possible causes, so do not assume the tea is responsible or try to manage persistent swelling with more herbal products.

Fluid retention is part of the recognized effect of glycyrrhizin, but there is limited evidence on how often it occurs with licorice root tea specifically. The absence of visible swelling does not rule out other effects, such as high blood pressure or low potassium.

Can licorice root tea affect heart rhythm?

4. Heart rhythm problems

Low potassium can disrupt the electrical activity that keeps the heart beating regularly. This can lead to palpitations or an abnormal rhythm, especially in people with existing heart disease or those taking medicines that affect heart rhythm.

Avoid licorice root tea unless a clinician has advised otherwise if you have a heart rhythm condition or take digoxin. If you develop a racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat after drinking it, stop the tea and seek medical advice; severe symptoms need emergency care.

The evidence for serious heart problems from licorice-containing products includes case reports. In one 2024 case report, a person developed a fast heart rate and heart dysfunction after using a mixed herbal supplement containing licorice root and caffeine. The report cannot establish that licorice root tea caused the problem.

Can licorice root tea cause muscle weakness?

5. Muscle weakness or cramps

Low potassium associated with licorice root tea can affect normal muscle function. Weakness or cramps may develop, although those symptoms can also have many other causes.

If new weakness or cramps occur while you are drinking licorice root tea, stop using the tea and contact a clinician, particularly if symptoms are persistent or worsening. Do not start potassium supplements on your own: too much potassium can also be dangerous.

The connection is mainly through the established effects of potassium loss, not evidence that muscle symptoms are common among people who drink licorice root tea. Severe weakness warrants urgent assessment, especially if it occurs with palpitations, fainting or breathing difficulty.

Who should avoid licorice root tea?

People with high blood pressure, heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, kidney disease or known low potassium should avoid licorice root tea unless their clinician specifically advises that it is appropriate. People with liver disease or unexplained swelling should also seek advice before using it.

Ask a clinician or pharmacist before drinking licorice root tea if you take diuretics, blood pressure medicine, digoxin, corticosteroids or laxatives. These medicines may interact with licorice root or make its effects on blood pressure, fluid balance or potassium more concerning. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless the prescribing clinician tells you otherwise.

Pregnant or breastfeeding people should avoid licorice root tea unless their healthcare professional recommends it. Because safety and appropriate amounts are uncertain for children, check with a pediatric clinician before giving it to a child.

Check the ingredients of herbal blends as well as products sold as licorice root tea. Licorice root may be included for sweetness even when it is not prominent in the product name.

How much licorice root tea is safe to drink daily?

There is no established daily number of cups of licorice root tea that can be considered safe for everyone. Products differ in their licorice root content, and labels may not state how much glycyrrhizin reaches the prepared drink. A serving size on a package is not proof that daily use is safe for you.

To assess a product, check its ingredient list for licorice root and any stated glycyrrhizin content, then ask a clinician or pharmacist whether it is appropriate for your health and medicines. The ai detox recipe generator can suggest ingredient ideas, but it cannot determine a safe licorice root dose or replace that advice.

Avoid making licorice root tea a daily habit without medical advice, particularly if you have a condition or take a medicine listed above. A shorter steep or a weaker-tasting drink does not provide a dependable way to know how much glycyrrhizin you have consumed.

Some products are labeled deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, meaning glycyrrhizin has been reduced. They are not interchangeable with ordinary licorice root tea, and the label alone does not establish that a product is suitable for everyone.

When should you see a doctor?

Contact a clinician promptly if you develop new swelling, muscle weakness, cramps, palpitations or a higher-than-usual blood pressure reading while using licorice root tea. Stop drinking the tea, and tell the clinician which product you used and how often you drank it. Bring the package or a photo of its ingredient label if possible.

Seek emergency care for chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, a severe or persistent irregular heartbeat, or severe weakness. These symptoms need assessment regardless of whether licorice root tea caused them.

A clinician may check blood pressure and order blood tests for potassium and kidney function, depending on your symptoms and circumstances. Do not rely on extra water, potassium supplements or another herbal drink to correct a suspected reaction.