Glabridin is not glycyrrhizin. It’s a common point of confusion, but these two compounds from the same plant are worlds apart when it comes to safety. Glabridin, often found in skin-supporting supplements like glabridin glutathione, is a flavonoid with no known effect on blood pressure. Glycyrrhizin, on the other hand, is the sweet-tasting saponin behind licorice’s biggest safety concerns. Understanding this distinction is the first step to choosing a licorice supplement that aligns with your health priorities.
Whether you’re staring at a root powder, a DGL chewable, or a label with no familiar words, the difference between a standard licorice product and a deglycyrrhizinated one can determine whether the supplement fits your life. The sections below walk through exactly what to check, why it matters, and who should exercise the most caution.
The Two Faces of Licorice: Glycyrrhizin and DGL
Glycyrrhizin is the compound that gives licorice root its distinctive sweet flavor—but it also mimics mineralocorticoid hormones in the body. According to WebMD’s licorice overview, that mimicry can drive fluid retention, potassium loss, and elevated blood pressure when consumed in large amounts or for extended periods. The same compound is present naturally in licorice candies, teas, and many traditional herbal supplements.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is the revised version. As Wikipedia notes, manufacturers process licorice root to remove glycyrrhizin, resulting in a product that retains other root constituents but without the component linked to cardiovascular changes. Posivi’s contraindications article emphasizes that this removal is what separates DGL from standard licorice supplements—the former simply lacks the compound associated with sodium retention and potassium imbalance.
In practice, the contrast is stark. A licorice tea or an imported candy may deliver an unpredictable dose of glycyrrhizin. A DGL chewable typically lists “deglycyrrhizinated” right on the front. The label won’t tell you everything, but that single word is the main fork in the road when blood pressure or potassium levels are in play.
How Glycyrrhizin Affects Blood Pressure and Potassium
Glycyrrhizin’s mechanism is well documented. It inhibits the enzyme that normally deactivates cortisol, allowing the hormone to act on mineralocorticoid receptors essentially as if it were aldosterone. The result, per MedlinePlus and LiverTox, is a pattern of sodium retention and potassium excretion that can disturb electrolyte balance and raise blood pressure.
Edema, hypertension, and hypokalemia are the most frequently cited consequences when licorice intake is substantial or prolonged. NCCIH’s 2020 “Licorice Root” summary and the LactMed database both flag these effects, noting that cases range from mild swelling to serious arrhythmias, depending on dose and individual sensitivity. Even so, the magnitude of the response varies—some people notice little, while others develop measurable blood pressure shifts after relatively modest amounts.
That variability is partly a product creep. Licorice teas can differ widely in glycyrrhizin content, and candies may use anise-flavored filler instead of real licorice. The Botanical Safety Handbook and Leung’s Encyclopedia point out that personal sensitivity, duration of use, and pre-existing kidney or heart conditions all modulate risk. For this reason, standard licorice products are rarely suggested for daily, long-term use, and posivi.com specifically cautions that at-risk groups should be particularly wary.
Why DGL Does Not Carry the Same Risks
Without glycyrrhizin, the cascade that leads to potassium wasting and blood pressure elevation doesn’t start. Both Wikipedia and posivi.com confirm that DGL does not produce the mineralocorticoid side effects seen with whole licorice. That means no hypokalemia directly attributable to the supplement’s glycyrrhizin content, no accompanying fluid retention, and no documented pressure rises—exactly why the ingredient is often chosen when heart or kidney concerns exist.
This safety distinction, however, does not apply to combination products. WebMD points out that the benefits of licorice-containing blends for digestive symptoms are not well defined, and if a product includes multiple herbs, the DGL component doesn’t neutralize risks from other ingredients. A bottle may say “with DGL,” but what else is in the mix matters just as much.
It’s also important not to treat DGL as universally benign. Posivi’s contraindications article lists potential interactions with anticoagulants like warfarin, blood pressure medications, and corticosteroids—not through mineralocorticoid pathways, but possibly through other constituents that affect drug metabolism or complement the medication’s own effects. These interactions haven’t been studied as thoroughly as glycyrrhizin’s, so caution is warranted, especially for anyone on multiple prescriptions.
Who Should Avoid Licorice Supplements Entirely?
Standard licorice—the kind with glycyrrhizin—can worsen several pre-existing conditions. WebMD and MedlinePlus note that diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, and hormonal disorders all appear on source-reported lists of concerns. The reasoning: fluid retention, potassium shifts, and blood pressure changes can destabilize a condition that’s already being managed.
Medication interactions widen the net further:
- Diuretics and antihypertensives (including beta-blockers) may have their effects amplified or blunted.
- Corticosteroids like prednisone can magnify licorice’s sodium-retaining properties.
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin may be influenced by other plant compounds in licorice, even in DGL forms.
- Herbs like St. John’s wort and ginkgo bring their own interaction profiles that may compound the risk.
Severe allergic reactions—anaphylaxis—have been reported, though they are rare. LactMed and WebMD also underscore that pregnant and breastfeeding individuals are typically advised to avoid licorice due to insufficient safety data. Even DGL isn’t automatically safe for these groups. Posivi.com stresses that evidence on DGL’s absolute safety in pregnancy or with certain drugs is thin, so a healthcare professional’s input is the most reliable guide.
Practical Tips for Using Licorice Products Safely
If blood pressure or potassium levels are already on your radar, read the label for “deglycyrrhizinated” or “DGL” before you buy. That’s the clearest signal the product has been processed to remove glycyrrhizin. A product labeled simply “licorice root” or “licorice extract” may still contain the compound—sometimes in amounts that aren’t standardized, leaving you guessing.
For anyone who occasionally uses standard licorice tea or candies, starting with small amounts and noting how you feel is a sensible approach, not a guarantee of safety. WebMD says that short-term, low-dose use rarely causes issues in otherwise healthy adults, but the threshold is personal. If you take prescription medications—especially for blood pressure, heart rhythm, or clotting—or you’re managing a chronic illness, a conversation with a healthcare professional before adding any licorice supplement is the safest bet, whether it’s DGL or not.
Above all, remember that a supplement label won’t list your medical history. Individual response still varies, and even well-studied herbs can behave unpredictably in a body already navigating multiple challenges. Check the label, check in with your doctor, and don’t assume that “natural” means risk-free.