The root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant is where black licorice comes from. Licorice is primarily grown in Asia, Turkey and Greece, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It is available as dietary supplement and commonly used medicinally for stomach ulcers, sore throat and bronchitis. Black licorice is not unhealthy, but there are precautions for you to know. As with all herbal supplements, consult your doctor before taking black licorice.
Glycyrrhizin vs. Deglycyrrhizinated
Black licorice contains an active ingredient called glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin causes relatively low side effects in small amounts. Taking black licorice containing glycyrrhizin in large amounts can cause adverse health effects, including high blood pressure and abnormally low potassium, according to the NCCAM. Low potassium can cause fluid retention and affect your heart rhythm. Deglycyrrhizinated products have the glycyrrhizin removed. This is considered safer and may cause fewer side effects, according to NCCAM.
Warfarin
Black licorice has the capacity to interact with your medications. Talk to your doctor before using black licorice if you are prescribed medication. Black licorice interacts with warfarin -- a blood-thinning drug. Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots. Black licorice inhibits a liver enzyme that metabolizes warfarin, according to a case report published in the January 2006 issue of the "World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery." This can increase your bleeding risk. Avoid black licorice if you are taking warfarin.
Black Licorice Candy
Even if you are not using herbal black licorice, you should still use caution. Black licorice candy can also have side effects. The U.S Food and Drug Administration released a consumer warning in October of 2010 regarding consuming large amounts of black licorice candy. Consuming 40 g of black licorice candy daily for at least two weeks can cause irregular heartbeat. You are at an increased risk if you are 40 or older, according to the FDA.
Dosage
A standardized black licorice extract contains 20 percent glycyrrhizinic acid. A typical dose is 250 to 500 mg up to three times daily, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A typical dosage of deglycyrrhizinated black licorice is 0.4 to 1.6 g, up to three times daily. Taking doses higher than those recommended increases your side-effect risk. Take black licorice only after talking to your doctor.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Licorice Root
- "World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery"; Black Licorice Ingestion: Yet Another Confounding Agent in Patients with Melena; Judy Fong Liu et al.; January 2010
- FDA.gov: Consumer Advisory: Black Licorice Can Be A Dangerous Treat For Some
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Licorice; Steven D. Ehrlich; March 2010
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