The dangers of licorice tea have recently come under scrutiny in Belgium. A case was reported of a healthy woman in her 40s who developed pseudohyperaldosteronism after drinking 2 liters of licorice tea daily for a year. The patient visited the hospital experiencing symptoms such as numbness around her mouth, nausea, and vomiting. Consequently, she was diagnosed with severe hypertension and hypokalemia.

How Does Licorice Tea Become Toxic?

It is said that glycyrrhizin, the main component of licorice tea, paralyzes specific enzymes in kidney cells, disrupting hormonal balance. This leads to excessive secretion of cortisol, causing elevated blood pressure and electrolyte imbalance. The patient received intensive treatment in the ICU and underwent various measures to restore her blood potassium levels. Fortunately, the patient was discharged after treatment, and all her health indicators returned to normal one month after completely stopping licorice tea consumption.

How Can We Prevent the Dangers of Licorice Tea?

While licorice is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Korean medicine, it is crucial to remember that it is not a cure-all. Licorice plays a role in neutralizing and harmonizing the toxicity of other herbs, but it can be dangerous if consumed indiscriminately by the general public. In particular, the following individuals should avoid consuming licorice tea:

• Individuals with hypertension
• Individuals with kidney disease
• Individuals with heart disease

Even for healthy individuals, drinking licorice tea long-term as if it were regular water is extremely dangerous. According to medical research, consuming more than 100mg of glycyrrhizin daily for over 30 days increases the risk of hypertension and hypokalemia.

Numbness Around the Mouth: Is It Always Due to Licorice?

Tingling sensations around the mouth may be related to licorice tea, but they can also be caused by various other factors such as stress or nutritional imbalances. If such symptoms appear, it is advisable to stop consuming licorice immediately and visit a hospital for electrolyte testing. Individuals who frequently consume health supplements containing licorice should be especially cautious.

How to Use Licorice Safely?

To use licorice safely, the following points should be kept in mind:

• Consume only the prescribed amount according to a professional's prescription.
• Do not consume licorice long-term as a folk remedy.
• Check the ingredients and content of licorice products sold on the market.

It is important to always remember that while licorice has its own efficacy, excessive consumption can actually harm your health. Caution is needed to ensure that choices made for health do not inadvertently cause harm.