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When taken as a supplement or tea, licorice root is considered safe and well tolerated in adults.
Licorice root supplements are only intended for short-term use. Consuming licorice daily for several weeks or longer can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects.
However, some side effects can occur if licorice root is taken in large quantities, and is likely the result of the excessive accumulation of glycyrrhizinic acid, which triggers an abnormal increase in the stress hormone cortisol. This can lead to a severe imbalance in the body's fluids and electrolytes, manifesting with an array of possible symptoms, including:
- • Fatigue
- • Headache
- • Fluid retention and swelling (edema)
- • High blood pressure
- • Muscle weakness or cramping
Extreme cases can lead to licorice poisoning and the development of kidney failure, paralysis, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary edema.
Research shows that licorice root consumption during pregnancy or breastfeeding leads to adverse neurological effects in children later in life. As such, it should not be consumed by children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. Licorice should also be avoided in people with kidney or liver dysfunction. *