Licorice Root Tea: Recipe, Detox Claims and Safety

Licorice root tea is a naturally sweet infusion of dried licorice root and water that takes about 2 hours 5 minutes to prepare and yields 1 cup (240 mL).

What is licorice root tea?

Licorice root tea is made by steeping the dried root in water and straining it. The root has a distinctive sweetness, so the tea does not need added sugar.

It is one option among herbal detox tea recipes. The name describes the ingredients, not proof that the tea removes toxins from the body.

How do you make licorice root tea?

This version uses a refrigerated steep. Use dried, cut licorice root sold for food use, rather than an unidentified root or a concentrated supplement.

Prep time: About 5 minutes
Refrigerated steep: 2–4 hours
Total time: About 2 hours 5 minutes for the shortest steep
Yield: 1 cup (240 mL)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 mL) drinking water
• About 2 g dried, cut licorice root, approximately 1 teaspoon (1/48 US cup)

The volume of dried root varies with the size of the pieces; use a scale if possible. The amount in this recipe is not an established safe dose of licorice root.

Steps

1. Boil the drinking water and place the licorice root in a clean, heatproof container.
2. Pour the freshly boiled water over the licorice root.
3. Cool the container promptly in an ice-water bath, then cover and refrigerate it.
4. Steep in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours, then strain out the licorice root.
5. Serve chilled, or reheat the strained tea until hot if preferred.

For another combination, use the ai detox recipe generator.

Keep prepared tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

What does licorice root tea do for detox?

Licorice root tea provides water, which helps maintain hydration. There is no good evidence that the tea speeds up detoxification or removes toxins from the body.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification. The lungs and gut also help eliminate waste, while sweat removes only trace amounts. Drinking enough fluid supports normal body function, but licorice root tea is not a substitute for medical care.

For a closer look at the claims and their limits, see licorice root tea benefits. Effects reported for licorice ingredients or extracts should not automatically be assumed to apply to a cup of tea.

How much licorice root tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established amount or time of day that makes licorice root tea effective for detox. The strength of a cup can vary with the root, the amount used and the steeping time, so a recipe alone cannot establish a safe intake.

Avoid treating licorice root tea as an everyday drink or assuming that multiple cups are harmless. If you want to drink it regularly, ask a healthcare professional for advice, especially if you have a health condition or take medication.

What are the side effects of licorice root tea?

Licorice root can contain glycyrrhizin, a natural compound that can affect potassium levels and blood pressure. Too much exposure can cause low potassium, high blood pressure, muscle weakness and abnormal heart rhythms. Risk depends on the product and the person; even a smaller amount may be a concern for someone who is susceptible.

Avoid licorice root tea during pregnancy or breastfeeding and do not give it to children without medical advice. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or low potassium, avoid it unless your healthcare professional says it is appropriate.

Ask a healthcare professional before drinking it if you take medicines, particularly diuretics, blood pressure medicines, digoxin or corticosteroids. Do not stop or change prescribed medication to make room for the tea.

Seek urgent medical help for symptoms such as a new irregular heartbeat or severe muscle weakness. Seek emergency help for chest pain or fainting. Read more about licorice root tea side effects.

Frequently asked questions about licorice root tea

Is licorice root tea caffeine-free?

Tea made only from licorice root and water is naturally caffeine-free. Check the label on a blend, because other ingredients may contain caffeine.

Why does licorice root tea taste sweet?

Licorice root contains naturally sweet compounds, including glycyrrhizin. Sweetness does not indicate how much glycyrrhizin a particular cup contains or whether it is safe for you.