Who Should Not Have Licorice Tea? A Critical Guide to Health Risks

December 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Excessive consumption of licorice products, including licorice tea, has been linked to severe side effects such as high blood pressure and low potassium levels. It is crucial for certain individuals to understand who should not have licorice tea to avoid these serious health risks and complications.

Quick Summary

Licorice tea poses risks for individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney issues, and pregnant women due to its glycyrrhizin content, which causes fluid retention and low potassium.

Key Points

High Blood Pressure: Individuals with hypertension must avoid licorice tea, as its glycyrrhizin content can dangerously elevate blood pressure and cause fluid retention.
Heart and Kidney Conditions: People with heart failure, arrhythmias, or kidney disease should not have licorice tea, as it can worsen these conditions through fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Licorice tea is unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding women due to risks of preterm delivery and potential negative impacts on fetal development.
Drug Interactions: Licorice can interfere with critical medications, including blood pressure drugs, diuretics, blood thinners, and digoxin, reducing their efficacy or causing dangerous side effects.
Low Potassium: Individuals with hypokalemia (low potassium) should avoid licorice tea because it depletes potassium, which can lead to serious muscle and heart problems.
Hormone-Sensitive Conditions: Due to its estrogen-like effects, licorice is not recommended for people with hormone-sensitive cancers or conditions like endometriosis.
Consider DGL: Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a safer alternative as it has the problematic glycyrrhizin removed, though medical consultation is still wise.

For centuries, licorice root has been used in traditional medicine for its soothing properties, particularly for digestive and respiratory issues. However, the key active compound in licorice, glycyrrhizin, can have potent mineralocorticoid effects similar to the hormone aldosterone, which can lead to serious health problems for certain individuals when consumed in high amounts or over a prolonged period. Understanding who should not have licorice tea is critical for safe herbal consumption.

High-Risk Groups Who Should Avoid Licorice Tea

Individuals with High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

The most well-documented risk of consuming licorice tea is its effect on blood pressure. Glycyrrhizin causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water while increasing the excretion of potassium. This can lead to fluid retention, elevated blood pressure, and hypokalemia (low potassium), which in some cases can cause a hypertensive emergency. People with pre-existing high blood pressure are especially sensitive to these effects, which can undermine the efficacy of their medication.

People with Heart or Kidney Conditions

For those with existing heart conditions, the fluid and sodium retention caused by licorice can exacerbate problems. It can worsen heart failure and may trigger irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) due to dangerously low potassium levels. Similarly, large amounts of licorice can place additional strain on the kidneys and worsen pre-existing kidney disease.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Licorice consumption is strongly discouraged during pregnancy and breastfeeding. High levels of glycyrrhizin during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery and potential developmental issues in the child. The effects of licorice on breastfeeding infants are not well-studied, but as a precautionary measure, experts advise against it.

Those with Low Potassium Levels (Hypokalemia)

Since licorice depletes potassium, anyone with already low potassium levels should avoid licorice tea entirely. Further reduction in potassium can lead to severe muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac issues.

People with Hormone-Sensitive Conditions

Licorice can exhibit estrogen-like activity, potentially affecting hormone levels. This poses a risk for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.

Licorice Tea and Drug Interactions

In addition to certain health conditions, licorice tea can interact negatively with various medications, reducing their effectiveness or increasing side effects.

Diuretics and Blood Pressure Medications: Licorice can counteract blood pressure medications and amplify the potassium-depleting effects of diuretics, leading to critically low potassium levels.
Blood Thinners (e.g., Warfarin): Licorice can decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication, increasing the risk of blood clotting.
Digoxin: This heart medication is highly sensitive to potassium levels. The potassium-depleting effect of licorice can increase the toxicity and side effects of digoxin.
Corticosteroids: Licorice can slow down the breakdown of corticosteroids, enhancing their effects and potentially leading to more pronounced side effects.

Glycyrrhizin vs. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

Not all licorice products are the same. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a processed form where the glycyrrhizin has been removed. DGL is often used to soothe digestive issues without the hypertensive and potassium-depleting side effects of standard licorice. It is important to check product labels to ensure the licorice tea is DGL-based if you wish to avoid glycyrrhizin, but medical consultation is still advised.

Comparison Table: Standard Licorice Tea vs. DGL Tea


Feature	Standard Licorice Tea	Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) Tea
Glycyrrhizin Content	Present in varying amounts	Removed or significantly reduced
Effect on Blood Pressure	Can elevate blood pressure due to sodium and water retention	Generally does not affect blood pressure
Effect on Potassium Levels	Can cause low potassium (hypokalemia)	Does not cause low potassium
Heart/Kidney Disease Risk	High risk; can worsen conditions	Low risk, but caution is still recommended
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Risk	High risk; associated with preterm birth and complications	Generally considered safer, but still advised to consult a doctor
Drug Interaction Risk	High, especially with blood pressure, heart, and diuretic medications	Much lower, but potential interactions should still be discussed with a doctor

Conclusion: Informed Choices for Herbal Tea Drinkers

While licorice tea offers potential benefits, its risks, primarily stemming from the glycyrrhizin content, are significant for several high-risk groups. Individuals with hypertension, heart or kidney disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on specific medications must avoid standard licorice tea to prevent serious health complications. For those seeking the soothing qualities of licorice without the risks, DGL tea is a safer alternative, though medical consultation is always the best course of action before starting any new herbal regimen. Your health should always be the priority when exploring herbal remedies.

Visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health for more information on licorice root.

For those concerned about interactions, a doctor's advice is paramount before consuming licorice or any herbal supplement regularly.

Always read product labels carefully, as glycyrrhizin content can vary widely and is often not specified.

Pay attention to symptoms like swelling, headaches, or fatigue after consumption, as they can be signs of adverse effects.

Even if you don't have pre-existing conditions, moderation is key when drinking licorice tea containing glycyrrhizin.

Consider alternatives like peppermint or ginger tea if you are in a high-risk group but still desire a soothing herbal beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not recommended. Even small amounts of glycyrrhizin can affect individuals with hypertension, and the amount in tea can vary widely. A doctor's advice is crucial before consuming any amount.

Consuming licorice tea during pregnancy is considered unsafe. It has been associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery and may have negative effects on fetal development.

No. DGL tea has had the glycyrrhizin removed, making it a much safer alternative for many people, including those with high blood pressure. However, it is still best to consult a healthcare provider before use.

Signs of excessive licorice consumption can include headaches, fluid retention and swelling (edema), fatigue, and muscle weakness due to low potassium. Stop consumption and see a doctor if these symptoms appear.

Yes, licorice tea can interact with numerous prescription drugs, including those for blood pressure, diuretics, blood thinners like warfarin, and heart medications like digoxin.

For those in high-risk groups, safer alternatives include ginger tea for digestion, peppermint tea for soothing the stomach, and chamomile tea for relaxation.

Yes, for individuals with pre-existing kidney disease, consuming large amounts of licorice tea could worsen their condition due to the effects of fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances.

While small, occasional amounts may be tolerated by healthy individuals, there is no universally defined 'safe' limit due to varying sensitivities. Consistent, long-term use should be avoided without medical guidance.