Licorice root, or glycyrrhiza glabra, has long been used as a drug in both the Eastern and Western traditions of medicine. Licorice grows primarily in Asia, Turkey and Greece, and preparations from its woody roots are used to treat a variety of conditions. However, licorice can cause some serious side effects, including elevating blood pressure. And medical experts question the health value of licorice preparations.
Preparations
The licorice plant root is peeled and dried or powdered. It is packaged into tablets, capsules or a liquid form. Sometimes an active compound, called glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizic acid, is removed from the preparation, in which case it is marketed as DGL, meaning deglycyrrhizinated licorice.
Medicinal Uses
No reliable data show that licorice root is useful in treating any medical condition, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Still, some people use licorice root preparations to treat stomach ulcers, sore throats, bronchitis and viral infections. Other traditional uses include treating the common cold, asthma and reflux, and as a topical preparation for eczema.
Effect on Blood Pressure
Regularly taking more than 20g of a licorice preparations a day can boost levels of the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone, made by the adrenal glands, regulates blood volume and therefore blood pressure. High levels of aldosterone can trigger high blood pressure, fluid retention or even a heart attack. In patients with high existing high blood pressure, as little as 5 mg a day of licorice preparations can lead to secretion of too much aldosterone. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises people with high blood pressure not to take licorice at all, and because side effects sometimes occur with even average doses, no one should take licorice preparations for more than four to six weeks. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that DGL seems to cause fewer side effects on blood pressure and heart function.
Drug Interactions
Licorice can dangerously interact with several classes of prescription drugs, including the ACE inhibitors commonly used to treat high blood pressure. In addition to counteracting these drugs' effectiveness, licorice can increase the risk for side effects in patients using ACE inhibitors. Licorice preparations taken along with birth control pills can cause women to develop high blood pressure.
Licorice Candy
Licorice candy contains very little actual licorice extract, and eating it in moderation is not harmful to people with high blood pressure. In the United States, many "licorice" treats actually substitute the similar tasting anise seeds for real licorice.
