Can I Drink Licorice Root Tea While Pregnant? | Clear Safety Call

No, licorice root tea in pregnancy isn’t advised due to glycyrrhizin’s effects on blood pressure and fetal development.

Licorice root comes from Glycyrrhiza glabra, a sweet botanical used in candies, lozenges, and herbal infusions. The root’s main compound, glycyrrhizin, can raise blood pressure, drop potassium, and alter cortisol handling. During pregnancy, those shifts carry extra downside. This guide lays out what’s known, what’s uncertain, and how to keep your cup both soothing and low-risk.

Licorice Root Tea During Pregnancy: What Doctors Say

Medical groups and public-health agencies urge caution with licorice preparations. Research links higher glycyrrhizin exposure with blood-pressure changes and, in some cohorts, developmental concerns in children exposed in utero. While flavors in food aren’t the same as a strong infusion, brewed root tea concentrates the plant’s constituents, which is why avoidance is the safest default for pregnancy.

How Glycyrrhizin Affects The Body

Glycyrrhizin slows the enzyme that helps convert active cortisol to inactive cortisone. When that switch is sluggish, cortisol lingers, sodium rises, and potassium falls. The cascade can nudge blood pressure upward and strain the heart. Sensitive groups—including pregnant people—face extra downside because blood volume and cardiovascular load are already higher across gestation.

Forms You’ll See On Labels

Not every licorice-flavored product contains the root. Many candies use anise oil for taste, while black varieties often include true extract. Teas may list “licorice root,” “glycyrrhiza,” or “DGL licorice” (deglycyrrhizinated). DGL removes most glycyrrhizin to limit stomach irritation, but pregnancy-specific data for DGL beverages is limited. When the label isn’t crystal-clear, treat it as containing regular extract.

Quick Reference: Products And Pregnancy Guidance

The table below summarizes common forms and the typical guidance in pregnancy. It’s a starting point for a conversation with your clinician.

Product Or Form	What It Is	Pregnancy Guidance
Brewed licorice root tea	Hot infusion from dried root	Avoid due to glycyrrhizin exposure
Black licorice candy	Confection often made with extract	Limit or avoid; watch labels and portion size
DGL licorice products	Deglycyrrhizinated preparations	Only with clinician advice; data in pregnancy is limited
Red “licorice” candy	Usually flavored with anise, not licorice	Not a licorice source; still a sugar-heavy sweet
Herbal tea blends with licorice	Mixed herbs where licorice adds sweetness	Avoid blends listing licorice root during pregnancy
Topical throat lozenges	Soothing drops that may include extract	Choose options without licorice or ask your provider

Many prenatal lists group gentle leaves separately from roots like licorice, as seen in this overview of teas to avoid. That pattern explains why a sweet-tasting cup isn’t automatically harmless when the ingredient is a potent root.

How Much Is “Too Much” For Pregnancy?

Studies differ, but the trend is clear: more glycyrrhizin, more risk. Cohort data tie frequent intake of licorice-containing foods to higher rates of preterm birth and developmental outcomes later in childhood. Tea strength, cup size, and the root’s potency all change exposure, so there’s no reliable “safe serving” for an at-home brew. If a product doesn’t disclose glycyrrhizin content—and most don’t—the cautious move is to skip it for now.

Label Red Flags To Watch

• Terms like “licorice root,” “glycyrrhiza,” “glycyrrhizic acid,” or “licorice extract.”
• Blends marketed for digestion, throat comfort, or stress relief that list licorice among the first ingredients.
• Supplements with concentrated licorice capsules or tinctures.
• Products without a clear ingredient list or with vague “proprietary blend” language.

Safer Sips: Pregnancy-Friendly Alternatives

Warm, soothing drinks can still be part of your day. Consider choices that steer clear of glycyrrhizin and keep caffeine modest. The NCCIH licorice root profile explains why exposure matters, and the U.S. FDA has also warned about glycyrrhizin in foods in consumer advisories around black licorice candy—good context when comparing labels.

Herbal Options Without Licorice

Plain ginger, lemon with hot water, or a light rooibos can hit the same cozy notes. If you like sweetness in the cup, a touch of honey or maple does the trick without introducing licorice chemistry. For mint lovers, spearmint offers a gentle profile compared with peppermint’s punch.

Caffeinated Tea, Kept Sensible

Many parents stick to a cup or two of black or green tea daily, balancing taste and caffeine. Brewed weak, these are easy on the stomach and fit common caffeine limits. If you want a closer look at totals by drink type, check a reliable caffeine chart and choose smaller mugs.

What The Research Says

Human data include observational studies and national advisories. Findings point toward avoiding regular intake of licorice extracts while pregnant. Evidence quality ranges from case reports to cohort data, and not every study measures tea specifically, yet the mechanism and trend align. That’s why most clinicians recommend steering clear of brewed root and concentrated products until after delivery.

Why Some Products Use DGL

Manufacturers developed deglycyrrhizinated licorice to reduce side effects on the gut and blood pressure. DGL chews and tablets target reflux or throat soreness. Even so, beverages labeled as DGL aren’t standardized for pregnancy use. If you’re considering any DGL item, stick with non-drink formats and run it by your provider first.

How To Read Tea Boxes Safely

When scanning shelves, treat the ingredient list as your filter. The first several items reflect the biggest share of the blend. If licorice shows up anywhere, choose another box. Brand recipes shift, so recheck labels even on products you’ve bought before.

Smart Shopping Checklist

• Pick blends that state “no licorice” or list only herbs you recognize.
• Favor single-ingredient teas when you want a sure bet.
• Save screenshots of labels you trust so you can compare on your next shop.
• When dining out, ask what’s in the “herbal” pot before pouring.

When To Call Your Clinician

Reach out if you’ve had several servings of a licorice infusion or notice symptoms like swelling, headache, palpitations, or muscle weakness. Those can reflect electrolyte shifts tied to glycyrrhizin. Bring the label to your appointment so dosing guesses aren’t needed.

Good-To-Know: Candy Isn’t The Same As Tea

Confections aren’t brewed, but many black varieties still contain real extract. Serving sizes creep up during holidays, and that’s where exposure can rise. If you want the flavor without the chemistry, look for products flavored with anise and skip anything listing “extract of licorice.” Consumer safety notes from the FDA about black licorice’s glycyrrhizin content are a useful reference for this distinction.

Simple Swaps For That Sweet, Soothing Note

Licorice root lends a mellow, sweet finish. These swaps can recreate the vibe without the risk.

Tea Or Add-In	Why It’s A Fit	Notes
Rooibos	Naturally sweet, caffeine-free	Tastes smooth hot or iced
Ginger	Warmth and spice	Great with lemon and honey
Chamomile	Gentle floral cup	Pick blended options without licorice
Lemon peel	Bright citrus lift	Steep with decaf black tea
Vanilla	Dessert-like aroma	A drop of extract in decaf tea
Honeybush	Caramel notes, no caffeine	Similar to rooibos, label-check for extras

Bottom Line For Your Cup

Skip brewed licorice root until after pregnancy. Choose clear-label blends without the root, keep caffeine modest, and use simple sweets like honey or vanilla to round out flavor. When uncertain, pick a single-herb tea and keep the box for reference. Want a broader list of options? Try our pregnancy-safe drinks list.

Credits, Sources, And Method

This guide draws on medical and public-health advisories plus research on glycyrrhizin exposure. We compared guidance on licorice-containing foods, herbal infusions, and DGL products, and prioritized advice that keeps home use simple and safe.