Licorice Side Effects and Benefits
Most licorice is grown in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. Licorice
contains a compound called glycyrrhizin (or glycyrrhizic acid).

Common Names--licorice root, licorice, liquorice, sweet root,
gan zao (Chinese licorice)

Latin Name--Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis
(Chinese licorice)

What are the proposed benefits of Licorice?
Licorice root has been used as a dietary supplement for
stomach ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throat, as well as
infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis.


How It Is Used
 * Peeled licorice root is available in dried and powdered forms.

* Licorice root is available as capsules, tablets, and liquid
extracts.
* Licorice can be found with glycyrrhizin removed; the
product is called DGL (for "deglycyrrhizinated licorice").


What are the scientific findings?
A review of several clinical trials found that glycyrrhizin might
reduce complications from hepatitis C in some patients.


Side Effects of Licorice and Cautions
In large amounts, the side effects of licorice is serious. High
dose of licorice containing glycyrrhizin can cause high blood
pressure, salt and water retention, and low potassium levels,
which could lead to heart problems. DGL products are
thought to cause fewer side effects.

When taken in large amounts, licorice can affect the body's
levels of a hormone called cortisol and related steroid drugs,
such as prednisone.

The safety of using licorice as a supplement for more than 4
to 6 weeks is not sure.

People with heart disease or high blood pressure should be
cautious about using licorice.

Pregnant women should avoid using licorice as a supplement
or consuming large amounts of licorice as food, as some
research suggests it could increase the risk of preterm labor.

DRUG INTERACTIONS OF LICORICE
Taking licorice together with diuretics (water pills) or other
medicines that reduce the body's potassium levels could
cause dangerously low potassium levels.


Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary
supplement you are using, including licorice root. This helps
to ensure safe and coordinated care.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. LICORICE HAS A LOT
OF SIDE EFFECTS, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USE.

Sources
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hepatitis C and
Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds.
Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker;
2005:391-399.

Licorice. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on
May 30, 2006.

Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). MedlinePlus Web site. Accessed at
medlineplus.gov on May 30, 2006.

Licorice root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal
Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins; 2000:233-239.
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