Licorice: Uses, Risks, and Drug Interactions You Need to Know

When you see licorice, a sweet-tasting root used in candies, teas, and herbal remedies, often for soothing sore throats or digestive issues. Also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, it’s not just a flavoring—it’s a powerful plant compound that can change how your body handles medications. The main active ingredient, glycyrrhizin, a compound that mimics aldosterone, a hormone that regulates salt and water balance, is what makes licorice effective… and dangerous. Too much of it can raise blood pressure, drop potassium, and cause muscle weakness—even if you’re not taking any other drugs.

But here’s where it gets tricky: licorice doesn’t just sit there. It talks to your liver enzymes, the same ones that break down blood pressure pills, diuretics, and even steroids like dexamethasone. If you’re on any of those, licorice can make them too strong—or block them entirely. That’s why people on heart meds or kidney treatments end up in the ER after sipping licorice tea for weeks, thinking it’s harmless. And it’s not just the candy. Licorice shows up in supplements, herbal blends, and even some cough syrups, often without clear labeling.

It’s not all bad news. Small amounts in food are fine for most people. But if you’re taking anything that affects your heart, kidneys, or hormones, you need to treat licorice like a drug—not a snack. The same way you’d avoid grapefruit juice with statins, you should avoid licorice with blood pressure meds. Even a single daily dose of licorice root extract can cause problems after just a few weeks. And if you’ve ever felt swollen, tired, or had muscle cramps after using licorice, it’s not just coincidence—it’s your body signaling a reaction.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of myths or marketing claims. It’s real-world data from posts that dug into how licorice interacts with medications, what side effects actually show up in patients, and which supplements carry hidden doses. You’ll see how it affects statins, diuretics, and even liver enzymes tied to vitamin A and CBD. No fluff. No guesses. Just what happens when a sweet root meets your prescription bottle.