Licorice is more than just a candy you can buy in the store. It is actually a powerful herb people use to treat many ailments. Some use it to treat colds, but it has shown the most promise in treating stomach ulcers. However, because of some serious side effects, do not take this herb without consulting a doctor first. Licorice mimics a naturally-occurring hormone and can make some side effects of medications worse if you are not careful.
Uses
Two studies in 1985 mixed deglycyrrhizinated licorice, a specific type of licorice, with antacids and found it as effective as some prescription ulcer medications in healing stomach ulcers, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. However, because the study was flawed and combined licorice with antacids, it is hard to say how effective licorice itself is. Licorice is also used for eczema, canker sores, hepatitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and fat reduction.
Side Effects
Licorice contains a chemical, glycyrrhiza, that can produce serious side effects if taken in large amounts or over a long period of time. When licorice is taken with this chemical still present, it is called whole licorice. Glycyrrhiza can mimic the naturally-occurring hormone aldosterone and produce pseudoaldosteronism, or a state in which the body reacts as if there is abnormally high aldosterone. Side effects include water retention, high blood pressure and low potassium. There is a type of licorice you can buy that does not have glycyrrhiza. By taking deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, you can avoid these side effects. However, studies done on this type of licorice are not as extensive as whole licorice. Avoid licorice if you have heart disease, liver dysfunction, chronic kidney failure or diabetes.
Drug Interactions
Several drugs interact poorly with licorice. Licorice interferes with the actions of high blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors, such as captopril and enalapril, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Since licorice can have an affect on potassium, potassium-affecting diuretics, such as furosemide, can lead to an increased potassium deficit. Digoxin can become toxic if taken with licorice. Corticosteroids also interact with licorice and licorice can increase their affects. Diabetes drugs, MAO inhibitors for depression and birth control pills also have negative interactions with this herb.
Dosages
Licorice dosaging is important because taking taking too much can lead to unwanted side effects. For ulcers, two to four 380 mg capsules of DGL before meals and at bedtime, in addition to your doctor's prescribed treatments, is the recommended dosage, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. Using whole licorice is not recommended due to its side effects. However, the short-term recommended dosage is 5 to 15 g per day for licorice with glycyrrhiza in it. Don't use it, however, for more than a few weeks. For the treatment of eczema, a 2 percent licorice cream applied to the area twice a day provides relief.
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