People with high blood pressure,
liver disease, heart disease, gallbladder disease, kidney disease,
adrenal tumors, chronic alcohol abuse and diabetes should not use
licorice products unless under a doctor's supervision. Never take
licorice extract if you have an infection or are just getting over
one. Wait until you are sure the infection is cleared and then start
licorice at a lower dose, ramping up to full dose over at least
one week.
Licorice should never be used
during pregnancy or if you trying to get pregnant or might get pregnant!
Do not habitually use diuretics
or laxatives while taking licorice extract. Licorice extract can
cause fluid retenion. Never use diuretics to correct this problem,
rather discontinue licorice until the excessive fluid is lost.
Caution should also be exercised
when taking licorice extract within 12 hours of steriods such as
hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, cortisone, and florinef.
People using antibiotics should
be aware that glycyrrhizic acid in licorice is converted to its
active metabolite by bacteria in the intestines. Anything that kills
this bacteria can alter metabolism and reduce the effect of licorice.
If you take licorice extract
while taking estrogen be aware that the herb contains phytoestrogens
which bind to many of the same estrogen receptors and may increase
the effects of the prescription. You might find that you need a
lower estrogen dose while also using licorice extract.
Grapefruit and grapefruit
extracts can potentiate herb's effects and increase sodium retention
because naringin also inactivates 11-beta HSD-2. If you like eating
grapefruit, cut back on the licorice.
Testosterone injections also
inhibit 11-beta HSD and can potentiate the effect of licorice.
