Licorice: Natural Remedies, Medication Interactions, and Health Effects

When you reach for licorice, a root used for centuries in traditional medicine and candy. Also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, it’s found in teas, supplements, and even some throat lozenges. But this sweet herb isn’t just a flavoring—it’s a powerful plant compound that can change how your body handles medications. If you’re taking blood pressure pills, diabetes drugs like DPP-4 inhibitors, a class of drugs used to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, or heart medications, licorice might be working against you without you even knowing it.

Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that mimics aldosterone, a hormone that controls salt and water balance. Too much of it can cause your body to hold onto sodium and lose potassium, which raises blood pressure and can trigger muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat. People with high blood pressure or heart disease are often warned to avoid it. But it’s not just about blood pressure. Licorice can also interfere with how your liver processes drugs. If you’re on medications like statins, antivirals, or even antidepressants, drugs metabolized by the liver’s CYP3A4 enzyme system, licorice might slow down their breakdown, leading to higher levels in your blood and more side effects. And if you’re using it to soothe a cough or ease stomach upset, you might not realize you’re risking a dangerous interaction with your daily pills.

It’s not all bad news. Some studies show licorice may help with digestive issues like ulcers or acid reflux, and it’s been used in traditional systems for liver support. But the risks often outweigh the benefits, especially if you’re managing a chronic condition. The FDA and European Medicines Agency have both flagged licorice as a potential risk for people on certain prescriptions. You won’t find warnings on candy bags or herbal tea boxes—but you’ll find them in medical journals and pharmacy databases. That’s why this collection of articles covers everything from how licorice affects diabetes drugs to how natural remedies interact with prescription meds. You’ll find real-world examples of people who thought a herbal tea was harmless—until their blood sugar spiked or their blood pressure went off the charts. These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re real cases. And if you’re taking any kind of medication, you need to know if licorice is one of the hidden players in your health routine.