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Licorice and Blood Pressure: What Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate Means on the Label
Licorice and blood pressure are linked through glycyrrhizin, the compound in licorice root. It can cause serious effects such as irregular heartbeat, especially with large or long-term use. Glyco Defender lists monoammonium glycyrrhizinate as its 18th blend line, so a dropperful holds at most 0.86 mg.
Written by the Glyco Defender label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Does licorice raise blood pressure?
It can. Glycyrrhizin, the compound in licorice, can cause serious effects such as irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest, especially with large or long-term use (NCCIH, Licorice Root).
People with high blood pressure, heart or kidney conditions, or a high salt intake may be at risk even from small amounts (NCCIH, Licorice Root). Interactions with corticosteroids have also been reported.
The word on the Glyco Defender label is not licorice. It is monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, a glycyrrhizin salt, which is why many readers miss it.
How much glycyrrhizinate is in Glyco Defender?
At most 0.86 mg per dropperful. It is the 18th of 21 blend lines, so it cannot exceed 15.47 divided by 18.
Such a small ceiling is reassuring, though not a guarantee for people the source calls sensitive. Blend rules hide the exact amount (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)).
| Group | Why (NCCIH, Licorice Root) |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | May react even to small amounts |
| Heart or kidney conditions | May react even to small amounts |
| High salt intake | Listed as a risk factor |
| Corticosteroid users | Interactions reported |
| Pregnancy | Large amounts are unsafe |
Which other lines in the formula affect blood pressure?
Arginine can lower blood pressure and may add to blood pressure medicines (MSKCC, Arginine). Forskolin has reported low blood pressure and may add to those drugs too (MSKCC, Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii)).
So a blend can pull in more than one direction. Licorice leans toward raising pressure, while arginine and forskolin lean toward lowering it. At label weights, none is likely to dominate, but together they are reasons to ask.
Never stop or change a blood pressure, heart or diabetes medicine because of a supplement. Show your doctor the full label first.
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See packsWho should ask a doctor before using these drops?
Anyone with high blood pressure, a heart or kidney condition, or a pressure or steroid medicine. The label itself asks people with a known medical condition to consult a physician.
See the fit check and the side effects page for more.
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FAQ01
Questions about licorice and blood pressure
Is monoammonium glycyrrhizinate the same as licorice?
It is a glycyrrhizin salt made from licorice root, so it carries the same compound the warnings cover (NCCIH, Licorice Root). The label amount is hidden, but it is at most 0.86 mg.
Is licorice safe in pregnancy?
Large amounts of licorice in pregnancy are unsafe (NCCIH, Licorice Root). The Glyco Defender label also says not for pregnant or nursing women, so skip the drops in either case.
Can licorice interact with steroid medicine?
Yes. Interactions between licorice and corticosteroids have been reported (NCCIH, Licorice Root). If you take a steroid, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using a product with this line.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a licensed U.S. retail desk for Glyco Defender, not by the manufacturer or the label's distributor. Buying through our order links earns us money.
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