"In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."
- Alert Camus
Saturday, December 21, 2013
LICORICE
I was experiencing some reactionsto licorice and looked it up on the internet and found a forum about M.S. that had some alarming things to say -the veracity of the source is unclear... read below: ...............................................
My oldest sis is an acupuncturist ~ in her practice she uses a lot of
herbs based on Chinese & eastern medicine & I just emailed her
to see if she can make up some licorice supplement for me ~ maybe I'll
be able to say at a later date if there's any benefit to it all.
I'm still reading, AND just came to negatives about licorice that I wanted to point out to you: (be careful!)
Special Precautions
Pregnant women should not use licorice at medicinal doses. There
is a danger of high blood pressure or of a hormone imbalance that would
harm the fetus.
People with high blood pressure should avoid the use of licorice, which could aggravate their condition.
Anyone with a heart problem should use licorice only under medical supervision. Potassium depletion caused by licorice is especially hazardous for such patients. Anyone with pre-existing hypokalemia (low potassium) should not take licorice.
People with kidney disease, especially the elderly, may be at increased risk of side effects from this herb.
Gallbladder disease and cirrhosis are considered contraindications for licorice.
Adverse Effects
The consequences of high doses or long-term use of licorice are severe. This herb can cause high blood pressure, low levels of potassium, fluid retention and swelling of the face and limbs, hormonal imbalance, and muscle destruction leading to pain and weakness.
At least one woman experienced loss of libido. Another woman ate too much licorice candy and lost a great deal of potassium; her heart stopped.
Licorice can also change heart rhythms, prolonging QT and PR intervals on an electrocardiogram.
Lethargy and fatigue as well as weakness are part of the picture of licorice toxicity.
Many of the negative symptoms associated with licorice are due to
its ability to inhibit the renin-angiotensin system. Elderly people in
particular are susceptible to kidney problems as a consequence of
licorice.
Paralysis of the legs (and in one case, of all of the limbs) has
been reported. A sixty-four-year-old man developed pulmonary edema,
signaled by fatigue and trouble breathing, after eating four packages of
black Twizzlers licorice candy in three days. This case demonstrates
how quickly a serious reaction can arise.
Licorice can reduce thyroid gland activity and lower the basal metabolic rate.
It appears that individuals vary considerably in their
susceptibility to adverse reactions from licorice. Some people
experience negative symptoms within days, while others may ingest
excessive licorice in candy, chewing gum, chewing tobacco, or herbal
medicine for months or even years before they realize that they are
suffering damaging effects.
Women appear to be somewhat more susceptible than men, and oral contraceptives may increase this sensitivity.
Possible Interactions
Licorice can greatly increase potassium loss due to medicines such as hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix, Hygroton, Lozol, Bumex, and other potassium-wasting diuretics.
Severe potassium loss greatly increases the risk of heart rhythm irregularities, especially in people taking Lanoxin. Amiloride, a potassium-sparing diuretic, is not recommended to counteract the potassium loss caused by licorice.
Because it binds to serum albumin, licorice may interact with other medications that bind to serum albumin as well: ibuprofen, aspirin, and Coumadin. The coumarins in licorice may also potentiate the action of this anticoagulant, possibly leading to unexpected bleeding.
Although it seems like a harmless substance, licorice can cause
potentially serious problems. The glycyrrhizin component is thought to
cause these side effects. Notify your healthcare provider immediately if
you develop any of these serious side effects while you are consuming
real licorice, such as an irregular heart rhythm, muscle weakness, or
allergic reactions.
Does Licorice Cause Side Effects?
Real licorice
products (including some candies, beverages, supplements, and extracts)
can cause significant side effects. However, many "licorice" products
contain little or no real licorice. For instance, red licorice does not
contain any real licorice, and some black licorice products contain
anise flavoring instead of licorice.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side
effects with licorice. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more
complete list with you.)
Serious Side Effects of Licorice
Even though it seems like a harmless substance, licorice can cause some
dangerous side effects. You should immediately report any of these side
effects to your healthcare provider. These side effects include but are
not limited to:
Many of the serious side effects of licorice are thought to be
caused by one specific component of licorice, known as glycyrrhizin.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products, which have had the
glycyrrhizin component removed, may be less likely to cause these
serious side effects.
Final Thoughts
If you think you are experiencing a licorice
side effect, please let your healthcare provider know. Also, let your
healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not
seem right." While it may not be a side effect of licorice, your
healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Licorice Drug Interactions
Several medications may cause
potentially negative drug interactions with licorice. Some of these
medications include blood pressure medications, certain diuretics, and
corticosteroids. These licorice drug interactions can result in serious
problems, such as low blood potassium and low blood calcium. To avoid
these problems, talk to your healthcare provider before taking licorice
or licorice supplements with any medications.
An Introduction to Licorice Drug Interactions
Even though it is a dietary supplement, not a "drug," licorice can potentially interact with several medicines. Some of the medicines that may lead to licorice drug interactions include:
- Blood pressure medications
- diuretics,
- Corticosteroids
- Estrogen medications, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or birth control pills - Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).
Many of the serious side effects of licorice are thought to be
caused by one specific component of licorice, known as glycyrrhizin.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products, which have had the
glycyrrhizin component removed, may be less likely to cause these
serious side effects.
Final Thoughts on Licorice Drug Interactions
It is possible that not every drug interaction was discussed in this article. In fact, early research suggests that licorice
may inhibit the liver enzymes from breaking down many different drugs,
causing higher levels of such drugs to accumulate in the body.
Therefore, you should talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider
about the licorice drug interactions that may apply to you.
Feb 23, 2010 | By
Frank Whittemore
Photo Credit lakritz nah aufnahme image by Lucky Dragon from Fotolia.com
Licorice is more than
just a flavoring of candy. For hundreds of years the extract of the root
of the licorice plant, from which the flavoring is derived, has been
used in traditional medicine and continues to be used today for a
variety of medicinal applications.
In fact, due to potential effects on
the body, licorice candy is now more likely to be flavored with anise.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Licorice
extract is frequently suggested for treating peptic ulcers and may have
similar results, when used in conjunction with antacids, to that of
some prescription drugs. Licorice may also relieve symptoms of
indigestion and may be helpful in treating gastro-esophageal reflux
disorder, or GERD. Licorice extract is sometimes used together with
peppermint and chamomile to help ease gastrointestinal problems.
Skin Treatments
Topical
application of licorice as a gel or cream has been used to treat skin
ailments such as psoriasis and eczema, according to the University of
Maryland Medical Center. A gargle of licorice and extract mixed with
water can be used as a mouthwash to treat canker sores.
Antivirus Treatment
Licorice
may have applications for the treatment of viral infections, including
herpes simplex virus, viral hepatitis and HIV. Studies are currently
underway to determine if licorice, when used in conjunction with the
medication carbenoxolone, may help to inhibit viral reproduction and
spread.
Upper Respiratory Treatments
Licorice
acts as both an expectorant and cough suppressant and has long been
used for upper respiratory ailments such as sore throats and coughs due
to colds, according to MedlinePlus. In Europe and Asia, licorice extract
is a common ingredient in cough remedies.
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