Does licorice raise blood pressure?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Yes: real licorice raises blood pressure through glycyrrhizin, which makes kidneys retain sodium and dump potassium, a syndrome called pseudoaldosteronism. People with hypertension should avoid it. The effect is dose- and duration-dependent: daily real-licorice candy, tea, or root supplements over weeks can push pressure up and potassium down far enough to cause weakness, palpitations, and dangerous rhythms, and the risk compounds with digoxin or potassium-wasting diuretics, which is why Merck Manual tells people with hypertension or heart disease to avoid licorice entirely. The good news is the fine print: most US licorice candy is anise-flavored and contains no glycyrrhizin, and DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) products strip the culprit compound; ingredient lists naming licorice extract or glycyrrhizin are the tell. If you have been consuming real licorice and your pressure crept up or you feel unusually weak, stopping it and telling your clinician is the fix; blood pressure and potassium typically recover within weeks. Licorice supplements sold for digestion or sore throat count too; check the label before assuming "herbal" means harmless.
What to do
- Hypertension or heart disease? Avoid real licorice entirely.
- Read the label: licorice extract or glycyrrhizin is the real thing; anise flavor is not.
- DGL is the safe version: deglycyrrhizinated products had the compound removed.
- Weakness plus licorice habit: stop and tell your clinician; potassium needs checking.
- Watch the combinations: digoxin and diuretics make licorice more dangerous.
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