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Licorice Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings

Should not be used in pregnancy. It causes increased production of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates the salt and water balance of the body, resulting in a rise of blood pressure.

Do not use licorice root if you have diabetes, edema, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, severe menstrual problems, glaucoma or history of stroke.

May cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, hypertension, lethargy, upset stomach, diarrhea, facial puffiness, ankle swelling, edema (fluid retention), grogginess, weakness or shortness of breath.

Should not be used on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row as it can affect the body's electrolyte balance, retaining sodium but depleting the body of potassium. This in turn can lead to high blood pressure and edema. Consult your practitioner for advice.

Monitoring of blood pressure and electrolytes and increasing potassium intake are suggested.

Licorice candy does not offer the same benefits as preparations made from the root, but can cause an increase in blood pressure.

Women who suffer from PMS should not use licorice during PMS time due to its ability to cause water retention or bloating.

Licorice is contraindicated for people with potassium problems.
- Physician's Desk Reference

Licorice may increase the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy.
- Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000 Jul 1;57(13):1221-7; quiz 1228-30 -- Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. -- Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL.

- Ann Ital Med Int 2002 Apr-Jun;17(2):126-9 -- Rhabdomyolysis and arterial hypertension caused by apparent excess of mineralocorticoids: a case report -- Sardi A, Geda C, Nerici L, Bertello P. Case of a 61-year-old man who was admitted to hospital because of severe hypokalemia, rhabdomyolysis and high blood pressure. Severe hypokalemia may lead to rhabdomyolysis. The plasma aldosterone concentrations were low and the plasma renin activity was suppressed. A diagnosis of apparent mineralocorticoid excess, attributable to licorice and grapefruit juice ingestion, was made. Glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid, its hydrolytic product, in licorice extracts, and polyphenols, in grapefruit juice, can inhibit 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, the enzyme that converts cortisol to cortisone.

Heavy licorice (glycyrrhizin) consumption has been associated with shorter gestation. Heavy glycyrrhizin exposure was associated with preterm delivery and may be a novel marker of this condition.
- Am J Epidemiol 2002 Nov 1;156(9):803-5 -- Preterm Birth and Licorice Consumption during Pregnancy. -- Strandberg TE, Andersson S, Jarvenpaa AL, McKeigue PM.

Licorice may interfere with either digoxin pharmacodynamically or with digoxin monitoring.
- Arch Intern Med 1998 Nov 9;158(20):2200-11 -- Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. -- Miller LG.

Licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of spironolactone.
- Arch Intern Med 1998 Nov 9;158(20):2200-11 -- Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. -- Miller LG.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this material to diagnose or treat a health condition or disease without consulting with your healthcare provider.
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