Licorice, Licorice Root, Salmiak Pastilles and High Blood Pressure
The characteristic sweet taste of licorice mainly comes from glycyrrhizin (a mixture of potassium and calcium salts of glycyrrhizic acid). This glycoside is about 50 times sweeter than cane sugar.
But licorice is valued for more than its taste. Its active ingredients help loosen and thin mucus, promote expectoration and can be soothing for infections of the upper airways. Licorice root is also helpful for stomach complaints because of its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Be careful if you have high blood pressure!
People with high blood pressure should be cautious, because excessive consumption can raise blood pressure even more. The compounds in licorice root can also affect the body's own hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone. This interferes with the regulation of the body's fluid and electrolyte balance and can, with high or regular consumption of products containing licorice, lead to a significant loss of potassium. Sodium and water, however, are retained by the kidneys. This effect, in turn, pushes blood pressure up. It is made worse if diuretics the so-called "water tablets" are being taken.
Because excessive consumption can also be harmful to healthy people, an EU regulation requires foods with a certain glycyrrhizin content to carry a warning label. This states that licorice is present and that people with high blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption. Unfortunately, it is not possible to say for sure when a critical dose especially for those with hypertension is reached. A tea manufacturer reports that 2.5 g of licorice root per day is considered uncritical. At the same time, however, people with high blood pressure are advised not to drink licorice tea every day. We therefore recommend asking your treating physician or pharmacist whether and how much licorice, licorice tea or similar products are considered safe in your individual case. If you want to be on the safe side, it's best to avoid them altogether.
Sources
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echtes_S%C3%BC%C3%9Fholz
- https://www.cmaj.ca/content/191/21/E581
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/21599/Pseudohyperaldosteronismus-Lakritzverzehr-mit-Folgen
- https://www.arznei-telegramm.de/html/2012_09/1209079_01.html
- https://www.bfr.bund.de/de/presseinformation/1999/02/bgvv_raet_zur_vorsicht_beim_verzehr_von_lakritze_-861.html
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based information and is continuously updated (as of 12/2025).
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
