diju side effects FAQ

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use licorice.

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking licorice.

There are no known interactions between licorice and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect licorice.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra or Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is used for many different reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use licorice include the following.

You should store licorice according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if licorice is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following. Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

The most common side effects of licorice are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the specific product you are using and may be more likely with higher doses. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Licorice cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider. Keep licorice out of the reach of children. Licorice contains a chemical called glycyrrhizin. High doses of this chemical can cause serious health problems (see the Side Effects section for more details). Most reports of serious health problems related to licorice have happened in people who consume very large amounts of licorice candies, teas, or supplements on a regular basis. To help reduce the risk of serious health problems, some licorice supplements do not contain glycyrrhizin. These are known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products. Read the product label closely to see which form of licorice it contains. Herbal products, such as licorice, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific licorice product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns. Licorice is available as a dietary supplement and in many different forms, including as a tea, liquid extract, lozenge, chewable, dried ground powder found in capsules, and more. It is also added to many foods, candies, drinks, and tobacco products for flavor. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals naturally found in the plant. The FDA has not tested licorice products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

While less common, the most serious side effects of licorice are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Severe Allergic Reactions. Licorice may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using licorice and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Licorice is made from the roots of plants called Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The most common form of licorice in the United States is G. glabra. Licorice also has a long history of use in the traditional medicine system in China, where G. uralensis (Chinese licorice) is known as gan zao. Licorice contains a chemical called glycyrrhizin. This chemical has many different effects in the body and is also responsible for the strong, distinctive flavor of licorice. Although other plants, such as star anise, anise, and fennel, may be known for their licorice-like flavor, they do not contain glycyrrhizin. Instead, they contain a chemical with a licorice-like flavor, called anethole. Most foods and candies that taste like licorice are actually flavored with anethole or anise oil instead of licorice. Glycyrrhizin can have effects that are similar to medicines known as mineralocorticoids, such as fludrocortisone. This means that it can lower your potassium levels and increase your sodium levels by binding to certain receptors in your kidneys. When large amounts of glycyrrhizin are taken by mouth, it can cause serious health problems. To address this, some licorice products do not contain glycyrrhizin. These are known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products. Other chemicals in licorice, including chalcones and flavonoids, also have effects in the body. These effects may include acting as antioxidants and reducing swelling (inflammation). This activity is thought to be helpful when licorice lozenges or teas are used for acid reflux, indigestion, cough, and sore throat. However, it is not clear if licorice is helpful for relieving these symptoms. Certain chemicals in licorice may also act as laxatives, which may help to relieve mild constipation. Although there is interest in using licorice for many other reasons, including canker sores and wound healing, its benefits are not well defined. Herbal products like licorice naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific licorice product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

If you or someone else has used too much licorice, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. Many different products contain licorice, including teas, supplements, and candies. It is also used to flavor many foods, drinks, and tobacco products. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take licorice safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.