Can You Drink Tea With Licorice Root While Pregnant? | Safe Sip Guide

No—licorice root tea in pregnancy isn’t advised; its glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and may affect fetal development.

Is Licorice Root Tea Safe In Pregnancy? Practical Guidance

Short answer up top: skip licorice root–based drinks during pregnancy. The active sweet compound, glycyrrhizin, can raise blood pressure, drop potassium, and interfere with the placental enzyme that helps shield the fetus from excess cortisol. Research from Finland also tied high glycyrrhizin exposure to earlier puberty and lower cognitive scores in exposed children.

Tea labels aren’t standardized for herb strength, and blends vary widely. That uncertainty alone makes daily cups a poor bet. When you add known effects on blood pressure and electrolytes seen with glycyrrhizin, a simple rule serves best: avoid licorice root infusions while you’re pregnant.

Early Snapshot: What Matters Most

Item	What It Means	Pregnancy Note
“Licorice root” on label	Actual Glycyrrhiza root in the blend	Skip; glycyrrhizin is the concern.
“Natural flavor/licorice flavor”	May be anise oil, not licorice	Flavor isn’t the same as root; still check brand info.
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated)	Most glycyrrhizin removed	Not a green light; use only with clinician guidance.
Blood-pressure history	Hypertension or preeclampsia risk	Added risk from glycyrrhizin effects; avoid.
Electrolyte balance	Low potassium risk	Heavy glycyrrhizin intake can worsen this.
Candy labeled “black licorice”	Sometimes uses real root; sometimes anise	Best to avoid frequent intake in pregnancy.

Many readers want a single rule they can trust at home. Here it is: if the ingredient list spells out licorice root or Glycyrrhiza, don’t brew it during pregnancy. If you see only flavoring, contact the brand for clarity before sipping.

Some herbal round-ups in the UK note that sweets or flavored teas in modest amounts aren’t the same as a strong root infusion, yet they still caution against licorice root remedies. That nuance helps, but it doesn’t change the tea decision: pass on root-based drinks while expecting.

Curious which tea varieties tend to be flagged more often during pregnancy? After that first table, a smart place to double-check is teas to avoid; it puts gray-area herbs into plain language.

Why Licorice Becomes A Problem In Pregnancy

Glycyrrhizin is the driver. It can inhibit 11β-HSD2, the placental enzyme that buffers fetal exposure to maternal cortisol. That mechanism, plus its tendency to raise blood pressure and disrupt potassium, explains the caution around root-based drinks. The NCCIH licorice root page summarizes these effects and notes concerns at relatively modest intakes in sensitive groups.

A Finnish cohort linked higher glycyrrhizin exposure in pregnancy with differences in childhood cognition and earlier puberty. The university’s research brief captures the takeaway in plain terms: women should avoid large amounts of licorice during pregnancy, and a safe threshold isn’t established. See the University of Helsinki release for the study overview and context.

Label Clues That Help You Decide

Look for the exact herb name. “Licorice root,” “Glycyrrhiza glabra,” “Glycyrrhiza uralensis,” or “Glycyrrhiza inflata” mean actual root is present. That’s your cue to skip the blend during pregnancy.

Beware of blends with sweet harmonizing herbs. Licorice is added to smooth bitterness in many “detox,” “throat soothing,” or “digestive” mixes. If a blend tastes sweet without sugar or stevia, double-check the ingredient panel.

Flavor isn’t the same as root. Some candies and a few teas use anise oil to mimic the taste. Flavoring alone doesn’t carry glycyrrhizin, yet brands don’t always spell this out clearly. When in doubt, ask the manufacturer, then choose a different sip.

What About Candy, Lozenges, Or DGL?

Candy: Traditional black licorice can include real root extract. News and agency summaries highlight blood-pressure and potassium shifts tied to glycyrrhizin. Pregnancy adds stakes, so frequent intake isn’t a good idea. If a treat lists anise oil instead of licorice extract, the concern is lower, but candy isn’t a hydration plan.

Lozenges: A few throat products rely on licorice for soothing. For pregnancy, choose non-licorice options to avoid repeat glycyrrhizin exposure across a day.

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice): This form removes most glycyrrhizin. That’s why it’s marketed for reflux support. Even so, supplement quality varies, and pregnancy data are limited. If a clinician recommends DGL for a specific reason, follow their dose and brand guidance. Otherwise, don’t self-start it during pregnancy.

Safer Sips When You Want Something Warm

Plenty of herbal blends work as gentle stand-ins for a sweet, cozy cup. The goal is simple: choose non-stimulating herbs with a long track record in pregnancy and buy from brands that disclose full ingredients. Here are practical options many people use.

Comparison: Common Pregnancy-Friendly Herbal Teas

Tea	Typical Use In Pregnancy	Notes
Peppermint	Settles the stomach; pleasant after meals	Caffeine-free; avoid high-strength oils.
Lemon Balm	Calming evening cup	Gentle flavor; good for wind-down.
Ginger	Queasiness relief	Stick to tea-level amounts; watch with reflux.
Rooibos	Rich, malty stand-in for black tea	Naturally caffeine-free.
Chamomile (German)	Occasional soothing cup	Choose pure Matricaria; skip if allergic to ragweed.
Red Raspberry Leaf	Third-trimester only if advised	Wait until later stages with provider input.

Simple Rules That Keep You Safe

Keep ingredients short and clear. One herb per bag is simpler to vet than “detox” mixes. Blends with vague “proprietary” wording are easy to refuse.

Mind the total cup count. Even with friendlier herbs, stick to modest daily amounts and rotate choices through the week.

Watch your caffeine from all sources. That includes coffee, black or green tea, and chocolate. If you want a primer on how much caffeine can add up quickly, this breakdown helps with caffeine in common beverages.

Medication, Blood Pressure, And Electrolytes

Glycyrrhizin can interact with steroids and affect blood pressure control. People with hypertension, kidney disease, or those on diuretics are more susceptible to potassium shifts. That’s another reason a licorice-flavored evening cup isn’t the right match during pregnancy. If you’re on any long-term medicines, loop your clinician in before adding supplements or concentrated herbal products.

Already Drank A Cup? Here’s What To Do Next

Don’t panic. One mild cup rarely matches the high intakes linked with clear adverse effects. Save the box, photograph the ingredient list, and note how many cups you had. Let your prenatal provider know at your next touchpoint, or sooner if you feel light-headed, notice swelling, or have worrisome palpitations. Then switch to a safer sip and move on.

How This Advice Was Built

Authorities summarize the risk pattern in plain terms: glycyrrhizin is the issue; safe pregnancy thresholds aren’t established; high exposure can affect both the parent and the child. The NCCIH overview explains the safety profile and interactions, and the Finnish research release outlines the child-development signals tied to higher maternal intake. These sources favor a cautious, simple rule at home: avoid root-based drinks during pregnancy, and use better-vetted herbs for comfort.

Taste Swap Ideas That Hit The Same Notes

Want Sweet And Smooth?

Try rooibos with a splash of warm milk or a cinnamon stick. Rooibos brings round, malty notes without caffeine. Cinnamon adds warmth without leaning on licorice sweetness.

Want Soothing And Minty?

Peppermint is the easy button after a meal. If you want a softer mint, blend peppermint with a little lemon balm in the same mug.

Want A Throat-Coat Feel?

Steep chamomile and add a drizzle of honey with a squeeze of lemon. That silky mouthfeel many people seek from licorice blends can be matched by a spoon of honey in a gentle tea.

When To Call Your Provider

Call sooner if you’ve had repeated cups of licorice root–based tea, use licorice lozenges daily, or have blood-pressure concerns. Also call if you take steroids or diuretics. Bring the exact product names and photos of the labels to the visit.

Key Facts To Remember

• Herbal tea strength is unpredictable; licorice blends vary a lot by brand.
• Flavoring doesn’t always mean licorice root, but labels aren’t always clear.
• DGL removes most glycyrrhizin yet still isn’t a go-ahead without guidance.
• Plenty of cozy alternatives exist: peppermint, lemon balm, ginger, and rooibos lead the list.

A Quick Word On Research Limits

Human data often rely on self-reported intake and brand recall. That makes exact dose–response lines hard to draw. The absence of a clear safe threshold is exactly why tea made with licorice root doesn’t fit a pregnancy routine. Choose clear-label herbal options instead and save licorice root for another season.

If you want a broader beverage plan for your routine, skim this handy roundup of pregnancy-safe drinks and build a weekly rotation you’ll enjoy.