Answer
Sep 09, 2025 - 12:44 PM
We appreciate your research into licorice root. However, let me enlighten the discussion on concerns about licorice root. Licorice root contains a constituent called glycyrrhizin that is a sweet-tasting compound and can mimic the effects of mineralocorticoids that are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. If consumed in large quantities, and the key term here is "large quantities", over an extended period of time this can lead to increased sodium and decreased potassium in the body. This can result in increased blood pressure and of course higher blood pressure can have a negative impact on the kidneys as you alluded to in your question. Unfortunately, online the misinformation about the potential harmful effects of licorice root are exaggerated and spread as it is copied from blog to blog. The truth is that the use of licorice root for medicinal purposes has a long history and is a very safe herb when used appropriately, as it is in our Respiratory Tonic. Only those with a history of hypertension (which is very rare in canines & felines) or hypokalemia (low potassium) would have any concern with the use of this herb. Just a side note, much of the concern about licorice root is derived from the use of concentrated licorice root extracts in black licorice candies and occurred when the candies were consumed in excess.
