Glycyrrhizinic acid

Q: How much glycyrrhizin is safe?

EFSA recommends under 100 mg/day for general population, 50 mg for sensitive individuals. Some sensitive people develop symptoms at lower doses.

Q: Can I get sick from licorice candy?

Yes. Regular consumption of real licorice candy (especially Northern European brands) has caused cases of hypertension, low potassium, and cardiac problems requiring hospitalization.

Q: Why does glycyrrhizin cause these effects?

It blocks an enzyme that normally inactivates cortisol in the kidneys. With cortisol acting on aldosterone receptors, you retain sodium and water and lose potassium — like having too much mineralocorticoid.

PhytochemicalSaponinBest with a meal

What is it

Glycyrrhizinic acid (also called glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizic acid) is the primary active compound in licorice root, responsible for its sweet taste (50x sweeter than sugar) and most of its pharmacological effects including its safety concerns.

Evidence for 3 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Chronic hepatitis (IV in Japan)

Good Evidence

IV glycyrrhizin has documented anti-inflammatory and possible antiviral benefits in chronic hepatitis B and C.

Cough / respiratory (oral, modest)

Limited Evidence

Traditional and limited modern evidence for symptomatic relief in respiratory complaints.

Topical anti-inflammatory

Limited Evidence

Topical glycyrrhetinic acid (metabolite) used for atopic dermatitis with some evidence.

How it works

Glycyrrhizin inhibits the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which normally inactivates cortisol in kidney tissue. With this enzyme blocked, cortisol acts on aldosterone receptors, causing sodium retention, potassium excretion, water retention, and elevated blood pressure — a syndrome called apparent mineralocorticoid excess. In pharmaceutical use, glycyrrhizin (often as IV monoammonium glycyrrhizinate) is approved in Japan and parts of Asia for chronic hepatitis B and C. It has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. The same mechanism that produces benefits also drives the cardiovascular and electrolyte side effects. In supplements, the '<2% glycyrrhizinic acid' designation typically refers to standardized licorice extracts where glycyrrhizin content is below the EFSA safety threshold.

Dosage

EFSA-recommended upper intake: under 100 mg/day glycyrrhizin (50 mg for sensitive people). IV pharmaceutical: 40-200 mg/day for hepatitis.

When and how to take it

Take with meals. Limit to short courses unless under medical supervision. Avoid combining with licorice candy intake.

3 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Glycyrrhizin in licorice extract

Standard in traditional licorice supplements.

Natural extract; concentration varies.

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)

Used to avoid glycyrrhizin side effects.

Glycyrrhizin removed.

IV monoammonium glycyrrhizinate

Hepatitis treatment in Japan.

Medical use only.

Safety

Significant adverse effects from excessive glycyrrhizin intake: hypertension, hypokalemia (low potassium, potentially causing dangerous cardiac arrhythmias), muscle weakness, edema, and rhabdomyolysis in extreme cases. Cases reported from regular licorice candy consumption and supplements.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in: hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, low potassium, pregnancy (preterm birth risk), and breastfeeding. Do not take continuously for over 6 weeks without monitoring.

Interactions

Many interactions: corticosteroids (potentiates), digoxin (worsens hypokalemia toxicity), diuretics (potassium loss), blood pressure medications (counteracts), anticoagulants, and others.

Food sources

Food	Amount	%DV
Real licorice candy (not anise)	1 oz	—

Real licorice candy (not anise)

Amount: 1 oz
%DV: —

Frequently asked questions

How much glycyrrhizin is safe?⌄

EFSA recommends under 100 mg/day for general population, 50 mg for sensitive individuals. Some sensitive people develop symptoms at lower doses.

Can I get sick from licorice candy?⌄

Yes. Regular consumption of real licorice candy (especially Northern European brands) has caused cases of hypertension, low potassium, and cardiac problems requiring hospitalization.

Why does glycyrrhizin cause these effects?⌄

It blocks an enzyme that normally inactivates cortisol in the kidneys. With cortisol acting on aldosterone receptors, you retain sodium and water and lose potassium — like having too much mineralocorticoid.

References

Glycyrrhizinic acid on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Glycyrrhizinic acid on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Glycyrrhizinic acid (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.