Glycyrrhizin: What It Is, How It Affects Your Body, and What You Need to Know

When you chew on licorice candy or sip herbal tea, you might be consuming glycyrrhizin, a natural compound found in licorice root that can strongly affect your hormones and electrolytes. Also known as glycyrrhizic acid, it’s what gives licorice its sweet taste—but it’s not just flavor. This compound can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and interfere with medications you’re already taking.

Glycyrrhizin doesn’t work alone. It interacts with your body’s cortisol system, mimicking aldosterone—a hormone that controls salt and water balance. That’s why people who eat a lot of licorice or take supplements with glycyrrhizin sometimes end up with swelling, headaches, or muscle weakness. These aren’t side effects you can ignore. In fact, cases of serious high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems have been linked to daily licorice consumption over weeks or months. And it’s not just candy. Licorice root is in many herbal remedies, teas, and even some tobacco products. If you’re on blood pressure meds, diuretics, or heart drugs like digoxin, glycyrrhizin could make those drugs more dangerous—or less effective.

It also ties into other health topics you might already know about. For example, if you’ve heard about grapefruit juice interactions, how certain foods block liver enzymes that break down drugs. Also known as CYP3A4 inhibition, this is how grapefruit affects statins and other meds. Glycyrrhizin doesn’t work the same way, but it’s just as sneaky. It doesn’t block enzymes—it tricks your kidneys. That’s why people on dexamethasone, a steroid used for inflammation and immune conditions. Also known as corticosteroid, it’s often prescribed for asthma, arthritis, or severe infections need to be extra careful. Both dexamethasone and glycyrrhizin can cause sodium retention and potassium loss. Stack them together, and your risk of heart trouble goes up fast.

You’ll also see this come up in posts about drug-induced DIC, a rare but deadly blood clotting disorder triggered by medications. Also known as disseminated intravascular coagulation, it’s not common, but when glycyrrhizin causes severe electrolyte imbalance, it can be one of the hidden triggers in people already at risk. And if you’re managing diabetes, you know how easily illness can throw off your numbers. Glycyrrhizin doesn’t directly affect insulin, but if it messes with your potassium or blood pressure, it makes managing your condition harder.

What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a collection of real-world stories and science-backed warnings about how hidden compounds in everyday products can quietly change how your body responds to treatment. Some posts talk about how generics can behave differently in your system. Others show how side effects aren’t always from the drug itself—but from what you’re eating, drinking, or supplementing on the side. Glycyrrhizin is one of those quiet players. It’s not in every medicine, but if you’re taking anything for your heart, kidneys, or hormones, you need to know if it’s in your tea, candy, or supplement bottle. Below, you’ll find guides on what to watch for, who’s most at risk, and how to talk to your doctor before it’s too late.