Licorice Root in Slimming Tea: The Blood Pressure Risk Nobody Mentions
I’d check a slimming tea’s full ingredient list for licorice root, licorice, or *Glycyrrhiza glabra*. Its glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium by disrupting hormone regulation in the kidneys. Risk depends on the product and amount, which labels may not disclose; even 75 mg daily has been linked to blood-pressure effects. I wouldn’t treat “natural” as proof of safety or licorice tea as a weight-loss aid. Here’s what to check and when to seek help.
Key Takeaways
- Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure and lower potassium by disrupting the body’s salt-and-fluid regulation.
- Slimming teas vary widely in glycyrrhizin content; even one cup may provide more than the cited European daily limit of 10 mg.
- Heavy, prolonged intake has been linked to high blood pressure, headaches, swelling, weakness, and potentially dangerous heart-rhythm problems.
- Check labels for licorice root, *Glycyrrhiza glabra*, glycyrrhizin, or glycyrrhizic acid; “natural” and slimming claims do not establish safety or weight-loss benefits.
- Avoid licorice tea or seek medical advice if you have high blood pressure, low potassium, or heart or kidney disease, or take medicines affecting blood pressure or potassium.
Can Licorice Tea Raise Blood Pressure?
Yes, licorice tea can raise blood pressure: glycyrrhizin can disrupt the kidneys’ regulation of cortisol, encouraging the body to retain sodium and water while losing potassium. That makes licorice root blood pressure effects a concern, especially if you already have hypertension or heart or kidney disease.
The amount of glycyrrhizin varies widely. One survey found levels averaging 126 mg per litre, with samples ranging from 2 to 450 mg per litre, so I can’t tell you how much a cup contains. Even daily doses as low as 75 mg for two weeks markedly raised systolic pressure in a study. A reported case also linked up to six cups a day with high blood pressure and low potassium; both improved after the woman stopped drinking it.
If you’re considering licorice in slimming tea, don’t assume a blend is harmless. Ingredient risks can vary across slimming tea formulas. I’d avoid licorice products with these conditions unless your clinician advises otherwise. Tell your healthcare provider about tea or supplements if your blood pressure rises; this glycyrrhizin risk deserves attention.
How Licorice Affects Blood Pressure and Potassium
Licorice root can raise blood pressure and lower potassium because its glycyrrhizin blocks a kidney enzyme that normally limits cortisol’s effects. When cortisol activates mineralocorticoid receptors, your body retains sodium and water while losing potassium. I’d treat licorice root hypertension as a potential ingredient risk, not a predictable outcome: sensitivity and glycyrrhizin levels vary.
| Effect | What may happen |
|---|---|
| Sodium and water retention | Blood pressure may rise |
| Increased potassium loss | Potassium may fall |
| Severe depletion | Heart-rhythm problems or paralysis |
In one study, 75 mg of glycyrrhizin daily for two weeks markedly raised systolic pressure. Licorice teas averaged about 31.5 mg per 250 mL cup, but amounts varied widely, so that average can’t establish a safe limit. Heavy intake may cause hypokalaemia and pseudohyperaldosteronism, sometimes resembling primary aldosteronism. Medication interactions may add to the risks of slimming tea ingredients for people taking prescription drugs. If you have hypertension or take medicines affecting potassium, ask a clinician about licorice root potassium risks. Blood pressure and potassium often improve after stopping licorice, but individual risk differs.
What Happened in a Licorice Tea Case?
One case shows how heavy, prolonged intake may affect blood pressure: a 45-year-old woman developed hot flushes, headaches and nausea after drinking four to six cups of licorice tea daily for about a year. Her blood pressure reached 162/82 mm Hg, and testing found mildly low potassium, at 3.3 mmol/L. Doctors first considered primary hyperaldosteronism, but she connected her symptoms to the tea and stopped drinking it. Within two weeks, her symptoms eased, her blood pressure fell to 128/84 mm Hg, and her potassium returned to normal.
A separate report involved an 84-year-old man who developed a hypertensive emergency after drinking one to two glasses of homemade licorice-root tea daily for two weeks. His blood pressure gradually improved after he stopped.
These reports can’t establish how often such reactions occur, but they show why I wouldn’t assume licorice tea is safe for everyone. Potassium loss and rising blood pressure are reasons to seek medical advice, especially if you have hypertension. Slimming teas may also cause stomach cramps or caffeine-related symptoms, and some contain senna, which raises additional safety concerns.
Why Licorice Tea’s Dose Can Be Hard to Judge
Those case reports show why licorice-related effects deserve attention, but they don’t tell you what dose might cause them. I can’t estimate your glycyrrhizin intake from cup count alone: a survey found licorice teas ranging from 2 to 450 mg/L, averaging 126 mg/L. At that average, one 250 mL cup provides about 31.5 mg.
| Cups | Average-concentration estimate | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31.5 mg | Above cited guidance |
| 3 | 94.5 mg | Nearly tenfold guidance |
| 6 | 189 mg | About nineteenfold guidance |
The cited European licorice daily limit is an average of no more than 10 mg daily. These estimates aren’t measurements of your tea; actual content may be much lower or higher. A product label may warn against “excessive consumption” without defining a maximum, so the warning doesn’t translate into a reliable cup limit. Proprietary blends can make this harder to judge because they may list a combined amount without disclosing how much of each ingredient is included. I’d treat this uncertainty as part of the herbal tea risk, not assume that fewer cups guarantee a known dose.
Who Should Avoid Licorice Tea?
If you have high blood pressure, avoid licorice tea: glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and make it harder to control. I’d also avoid it if you have low potassium, kidney disease, or cardiovascular problems. Licorice can increase potassium loss and fluid retention, which may worsen these conditions.
If you have an arrhythmia, especially a slow heart rate, steer clear. Severe hypokalemia can trigger dangerous heart rhythms, so low potassium isn’t a minor concern. Ask a clinician before drinking licorice tea if you take blood pressure medication, diuretics, insulin, anticoagulants, or other medicines that affect potassium or fluid balance.
Even without a diagnosed condition, I’d use caution. Glycyrrhizin levels vary widely between teas, and daily intake as low as 75 mg for two weeks has been shown to raise systolic blood pressure. Check the ingredient label, but don’t assume it reveals the dose. If you’re unsure whether licorice is safe for you, consult your clinician before making it a daily habit. Slimming tea ingredients can vary, so the product’s weight-loss claims don’t establish that it is safe for everyone.
Which Medicines Can Interact With Licorice?
Licorice can interact with medicines by lowering potassium and causing the body to retain sodium and water. These effects may complicate treatment for blood pressure or fluid balance. I’d pay particular attention to medicines that affect electrolytes, because low potassium can increase the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm.
Licorice can disrupt potassium and fluid balance, potentially affecting blood pressure and increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
- Diuretics: Some can lower potassium, potentially adding to licorice’s effect. The resulting imbalance may be dangerous.
- Spironolactone and blood-pressure medicines: Spironolactone affects potassium and fluid balance, so combining it with licorice may complicate treatment. Licorice may also interfere with blood-pressure control.
- Digoxin, insulin, and anticoagulants: Low potassium can heighten heart-rhythm risks with digoxin. Reported interactions also include insulin and anticoagulants, though effects may vary.
I wouldn’t assume a tea is harmless because it’s herbal. Tell a healthcare professional about licorice tea or supplements before using them with regular medicines. Check labels: some products are deglycyrrhizinated (DGL), but confirm what they contain. Concentrated green tea extract has also been linked to possible liver damage, with risk depending in part on dosage.
What Should You Do If You Drink Licorice Tea Daily?
Medication interactions are one reason I wouldn’t treat daily licorice tea as harmless. First, I’d check the label for licorice root or glycyrrhizin; “natural” and slimming claims don’t establish safety. If you drink it regularly, tell your clinician how much you consume and for how long. Licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium, sometimes causing pseudohyperaldosteronism, a condition that can mimic primary aldosteronism.
I’d ask a clinician or pharmacist before continuing, particularly if you have hypertension, heart or kidney disease, low potassium, or take medicines that affect blood pressure or electrolytes. Don’t rely on blood pressure monitoring alone: a clinician can advise whether you need blood tests or other checks. Stop the tea and contact a healthcare professional if your pressure rises or you develop headaches, swelling, weakness, or palpitations. If you have chest pain, a severe headache, fainting, marked weakness, or an abnormal heartbeat, seek urgent medical care. A reported case found blood pressure and potassium normalized within two weeks after the tea was stopped. Regular use of stimulant laxatives such as senna may also affect bowel function over time.
Which Blood Pressure Symptoms Need Urgent Care?
Call emergency services for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, confusion, a sudden severe headache, or new weakness—especially when blood pressure is around 180/120 mm Hg or higher. I’d treat these symptoms as urgent, not wait to see whether they pass.
Call emergency services for chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, confusion, sudden severe headache, or new weakness—especially with blood pressure around 180/120 mm Hg or higher.
Licorice root side effects can include raised blood pressure and reduced serum potassium. Low potassium may trigger arrhythmia, severe weakness, or paralysis. New leg swelling, worsening breathlessness, or chest discomfort with high blood pressure also needs prompt medical assessment, as it may signal fluid buildup.
If you’ve consumed licorice tea or supplements and your blood pressure is high, stop using the product and contact a healthcare professional promptly. I wouldn’t wait for symptoms to settle. Use these steps:
- Call emergency services for severe symptoms or neurological changes.
- Seek urgent medical advice for a reading around 180/120 mm Hg or higher.
- Tell clinicians about licorice use; they can assess your blood pressure and potassium.
A single reading doesn’t establish a diagnosis, but severe symptoms require immediate care.
How to Check a Slimming Tea’s Ingredients
After addressing urgent symptoms, I’d check a slimming tea’s label for licorice root, licorice, or *Glycyrrhiza glabra*—names that indicate it may contain glycyrrhizin. Next, I’d look for the amount of glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizic acid per serving. Licorice teas can vary widely: one survey found levels from 2 to 450 mg per litre, so the ingredient name alone can’t tell you your exposure.
I’d also check whether the package says “deglycyrrhizinated” or “DGL.” That means glycyrrhizin has been removed, but I’d verify the claim on the label rather than assume it applies. I’d read warnings about high blood pressure and “excessive consumption” carefully; they may not specify a safe daily dose or maximum number of cups. If the label omits glycyrrhizin content or a serving limit, I wouldn’t assume the tea is low in it. I’d contact the manufacturer for details, including serving size and glycyrrhetinic acid content, before deciding whether to drink it.
Can Licorice Tea Help With Weight Loss?
I haven’t found strong clinical evidence that licorice tea leads to meaningful, lasting weight loss. It may cause temporary water retention, and its glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. I’ll explain what the research shows and why these risks matter.
Licorice And Weight Loss
Although licorice tea is sometimes promoted for weight loss, there’s no strong clinical evidence that it causes meaningful, lasting fat loss. I wouldn’t rely on it as a slimming aid: traditional use and limited research don’t establish that it reduces body fat.
Instead, licorice may cause sodium retention and water gain, which can increase scale weight rather than help you lose fat. When I assess herbal tea blood pressure claims, I also consider safety: glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.
Key points to keep in mind:
- A heavier reading may reflect retained fluid, not fat.
- Glycyrrhizin levels vary widely between teas, so a cup’s dose is unpredictable.
- Frequent or high intake may pose health risks without proven weight-loss benefits.
I’d choose proven, sustainable habits over licorice tea for weight loss.
What Research Shows
Current research doesn’t show that licorice tea causes meaningful, lasting weight loss, so I wouldn’t use it as a slimming aid. Traditional use and marketing claims don’t replace clinical evidence. Licorice may also cause sodium and water retention, which can raise scale weight temporarily without reducing body fat.
The key concern is glycyrrhizin, a licorice compound that can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Its amount varies widely between teas: one survey found levels averaging 126 mg per litre, with results ranging from 2 to 450 mg. That variation makes your intake hard to predict. This licorice warning matters because you could take on risks without proven slimming benefits. I’d avoid using licorice tea for weight loss and ask a healthcare professional before drinking it regularly, particularly if you have high blood pressure or take medication.
Blood Pressure Concerns
Licorice tea isn’t an established weight-loss aid, and its glycyrrhizin can affect blood pressure. I wouldn’t rely on detox tea licorice for fat loss: evidence for its claimed benefits is limited, while its safety depends on dose and your health.
Glycyrrhizin inhibits a kidney enzyme, encouraging sodium and water retention and lowering potassium. These changes can raise blood pressure, sometimes even in people without a prior diagnosis. Tea strength varies, so the amount in your cup may be uncertain.
- Blood-pressure effects have been reported with 75 mg of glycyrrhizin daily for two weeks.
- One survey found about 31.5 mg per 250 mL cup on average.
- Four to six cups may provide up to 190 mg daily.
Check labels and ask a healthcare professional before drinking it, especially with hypertension or heart or kidney problems.
What to Choose Instead of Licorice Tea
If you’re avoiding licorice because it may raise blood pressure, choose a caffeine-free infusion with no licorice root or glycyrrhizin, and check the full ingredient list—herbal blends can contain them. I’d also look beyond the product name: an “evening detox tea” may still include licorice, and “detox” doesn’t establish a health benefit.
Ginger tea may offer digestive comfort, but it isn’t a proven weight-loss treatment or a substitute for medical care. If you want a soothing drink, slippery elm or marshmallow-root tea may be options; ask a healthcare professional first if you take medicines or have a health condition. Plain water is another simple choice when you’re cutting caffeine.
Don’t assume deglycyrrhizinated licorice is automatically right for you; check with a clinician before using it, particularly if you have high blood pressure or heart or kidney problems. My main warning: don’t swap licorice tea for another slimming product without reviewing its ingredients and discussing it with a clinician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Licorice Root Tea Safe for People With High Blood Pressure?
No, I wouldn’t consider licorice-root tea safe if you have high blood pressure unless your clinician specifically approves it. Glycyrrhizin can make your body retain sodium and water, raise blood pressure, and lower potassium, potentially disrupting heart rhythm. Tea strength varies, so you can’t reliably judge your exposure by the number of cups. I’d avoid licorice products and tell your clinician about any teas or supplements you use.
Why Can’t You Drink Licorice Root Tea Every Day?
I wouldn’t make licorice root tea a daily ritual: its glycyrrhizin can quietly nudge blood pressure upward while draining potassium. That imbalance may trigger weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, or, rarely, paralysis. Tea strength varies widely, so counting cups won’t reliably tell you how much you’re getting. I’d avoid regular use, especially if you have high blood pressure or heart, kidney, or electrolyte problems, and ask your clinician before drinking it.
What Do Chinese People Use for High Blood Pressure?
Chinese people may use prescribed blood-pressure medicines, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, traditional Chinese medicine; practices vary, and no single remedy represents everyone. I wouldn’t assume an herbal tea safely treats hypertension. Licorice root can raise blood pressure and lower potassium, so I’d avoid excessive use and ask a healthcare professional before taking it. If your pressure rises after licorice, stop using it and seek medical advice; don’t replace prescribed treatment.
Who Should Not Drink Liquorice Root Tea?
I’d advise you to avoid liquorice-root tea if you have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, an arrhythmia, or low potassium, unless your clinician specifically approves it. Check with a healthcare professional before drinking it if you take blood-pressure medicine, diuretics, insulin, anticoagulants, or medicines affecting potassium. If you’re pregnant or have another health condition, seek medical advice first. Stop drinking it and get advice if you develop swelling, weakness, headaches, or palpitations.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t treat a “soothing” slimming tea as harmless: licorice may raise blood pressure and lower potassium, while undisclosed amounts make your exposure hard to judge. The weight-loss promise is uncertain; the safety questions are real. If you have hypertension, take medicines, or are pregnant, ask a healthcare professional before drinking it. I’d check the full ingredient list and choose a better-studied, licorice-free option—or skip the tea. If urgent symptoms occur, seek medical care.
References
Licorice Root, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root
Licorice-induced hypermineralocorticoidism, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8109973/
The effect of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28660884/