Licorice Root After 50: Benefits & Safety

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra or Glycyrrhiza uralensis) has been used in herbal medicine traditions for thousands of years. In the context of licorice root for seniors, two distinct considerations emerge: its potential benefits for digestive health, adrenal support, and mild anti-inflammatory effects, balanced against a specific and well-documented safety concern — glycyrrhizin's effect on blood pressure and potassium levels, which becomes more relevant with age.

After 50, several changes make certain traditional uses of licorice root more appealing. Digestive discomfort — including acid reflux, gastric irritation, and bloating — increases in prevalence. Licorice has a long track record in supporting gastrointestinal mucosal health. A randomised trial found that deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) reduced dyspepsia symptoms in adult participants (Raveendra et al., 2012). DGL is a processed form with the glycyrrhizin removed — important for safety reasons described below.

Some older adults also use licorice for mild adrenal support, particularly related to fatigue and stress responses. The evidence here is more mechanistic than clinical in adults: glycyrrhizin inhibits the enzyme 11-beta-HSD that breaks down cortisol, effectively potentiating cortisol activity without adding exogenous cortisol. This can be useful contextually, but also contributes to the blood pressure risk.

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Absorption Changes After 50

Licorice root's active compounds — glycyrrhizin and its metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid — are absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract. No major age-specific changes in licorice absorption are documented. However, reduced gastric motility common in older adults may modestly slow absorption. More importantly, impaired renal function (increasingly common after 60) reduces the clearance of glycyrrhetinic acid, meaning the same dose delivers more exposure in someone with mild renal impairment than in a healthy young adult.

Dose and Safety

The main safety concern with whole licorice root is glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure and cause hypokalaemia (low potassium) at sustained higher doses. These effects are dose- and duration-dependent and become clinically significant most readily in people who already have hypertension, low potassium, heart disease, or are on medications affecting these systems.

For seniors seeking digestive benefits, DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is the safer choice — it retains the mucilaginous and soothing compounds while removing the blood pressure-active component. Standard DGL preparations are considered safe at typical supplement doses. Whole licorice root products should be used cautiously and for short periods.

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Interactions with Medication

Glycyrrhizin-containing licorice has several interaction concerns for seniors:

Antihypertensives: Glycyrrhizin raises blood pressure, working against blood pressure medications.
Diuretics: Licorice promotes sodium retention and potassium loss; combining with diuretics amplifies hypokalaemia risk.
Digoxin: Low potassium increases digoxin toxicity risk — a serious concern for those on cardiac medications.
Corticosteroids: Glycyrrhizin potentiates cortisol, so combining with steroid medications may amplify effects.

DGL products avoid most of these interactions, though anyone on multiple medications should still check with a pharmacist.

When to Supplement

For seniors, DGL is the appropriate form for digestive support and can be used reasonably safely at standard doses. Whole licorice root is appropriate only for very short-term use and only in the absence of hypertension, kidney concerns, or medications listed above. Discuss with a healthcare provider first.

References

Raveendra, K. R., Jayachandra, Srinivasa, V., Sushma, K. R., Allan, J. J., Goudar, K. S., Shivaprasad, H. N., Venkateshwarlu, K., Geetharani, P., Sushma, G., & Agarwal, A. (2012). An extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) alleviates symptoms of functional dyspepsia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 216970. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21747893/

Sontia, B., Mooney, J., Gaudet, L., & Touyz, R. M. (2008). Pseudohyperaldosteronism, liquorice, and hypertension. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 10(2), 153-157. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18256580/

Fasinu, P. S., Bouic, P. J., & Rosenkranz, B. (2012). An overview of the evidence and mechanisms of herb-drug interactions. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 3, 69. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22557968/

FAQ

Is licorice root safe for seniors with high blood pressure?

Whole licorice root containing glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure (Sontia et al., 2008) and is generally not recommended for those with hypertension. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is the safer option for digestive support in this group.

What is DGL licorice and is it better for older adults?

DGL is licorice root processed to remove glycyrrhizin — the compound responsible for blood pressure and potassium effects. DGL retains the soothing gastrointestinal properties and is considered safe at standard doses for most adults, making it the preferred form for seniors.

Can licorice root interact with heart or blood pressure medications?

Yes. Glycyrrhizin-containing products can interfere with antihypertensives, diuretics, digoxin, and corticosteroids. Anyone on cardiac or blood pressure medications should consult a pharmacist before using whole licorice root supplements.