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About this herb

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a long-used root with a distinctive, sweet taste. You will find it in tea and in herbal blends, often within warm throat and herbal routines. On this page you can read calmly and honestly what liquorice is and how it is traditionally used. Liquorice comes with an explicit warning: it is not suitable for everyone and not intended for long-term use. So be sure to read the section on caution carefully. The information is intended for adults and is no substitute for medical advice or a healthy lifestyle.

What is liquorice?

Liquorice is the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra. The root is known for its strikingly sweet, distinctive taste and is traditionally used as a flavouring and within warm herbal routines. The part of the plant used is the root, usually processed into tea or as part of a herbal blend.

The sweet taste comes from natural substances in the root. It is precisely because of those constituents that liquorice is not a herb you use without limit or over a long period. In tea blends, liquorice is often combined with herbs such as sage, chamomile or peppermint.

Liquorice can be part of a mindful routine, but it is not a medicine and not a substitute for medical care. So always read the label and the warnings before you use it.

Traditional use

Liquorice is traditionally used within warm throat and herbal routines and is often discussed in relation to throat comfort. In many tea cultures it is a familiar flavouring that gives blends a natural sweetness.

These uses are traditional in nature and say nothing about a medicinal effect. People often choose liquorice for the taste and the warming character within a calm routine, for example as a cup of tea on a cold day.

What people look to this herb for

• I am looking for throat comfort within a warm routine
• I want a naturally sweet taste in my tea
• I am looking for a herb for a warm herbal blend

These are reasons people search, not promises or diagnoses. Liquorice is not a treatment for complaints. With persistent or severe complaints, consult a doctor.

How is liquorice used?

Liquorice mainly appears in two forms:

• Tea: dried liquorice root, infused with hot water, often in a blend.
• Herbal blend: as a flavouring component of a tea blend, combined with other herbs.

Always follow the usage advice on the label and do not exceed the recommended amount. Use liquorice for short periods and not daily over a longer time. We deliberately do not mention doses: those are on the packaging of the specific product. Do not use liquorice long-term without expert advice.

Why lifestyle remains important

Herbs such as liquorice work best as part of a broader, healthy routine, not as a standalone solution. The foundation remains a balanced lifestyle.

• Varied, fibre-rich food
• Drinking enough water
• Enough sleep and rest
• Regular exercise
• Attention to stress balance

A food supplement is no substitute for a varied diet, a healthy lifestyle or medical advice. Especially with a herb like liquorice, which is not suitable for everyone, that foundation remains important.

When to be careful

Liquorice is not suitable for everyone. Because of natural constituents in the root, caution is important and liquorice is not intended for long-term or excessive use. When in doubt, always consult a doctor or pharmacist first.

• High blood pressure: be careful with liquorice and do not use it without consultation.
• Heart or kidney problems: liquorice is an explicit point of attention in these situations; consult a doctor first.
• Medication use: for example water tablets (diuretics), blood pressure or heart medication. Liquorice may be a point of attention here; consult a doctor or pharmacist first.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: do not use liquorice without consulting a doctor or midwife.
• Long-term use: use liquorice for short periods and not daily over a longer time.
• Children and medical conditions: do not use without advice.

If you develop complaints, stop and consult a doctor. A supplement is no substitute for medical advice. If you are unsure whether liquorice suits your situation, do not use it and seek expert advice first.

What liquorice does not do

It is important to keep realistic expectations. Liquorice is not a medicine, not a miracle cure and not a substitute for medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

Liquorice does not detoxify the body as a medical fact. The body has its own natural processes via the liver, kidneys and intestines. Herbs can at most fit within a mindful routine, but do not replace these processes. Hold on to a healthy lifestyle and seek medical advice with persistent complaints.

Liquorice in supplements

In supplements and tea blends, liquorice usually appears as a flavouring, supporting component within a broader blend. The exact composition and amount are always on the label of the product in question.

So always read the full ingredient list and the warnings before choosing a product, especially because liquorice is not suitable for everyone. When in doubt or when using medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist first.