ArticleTherapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism2012
Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message.
Article in Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 90 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
90 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 238 citations in OpenAlex.
- The efficacy and safety of Chaihu guizhi ganjiang tang for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Pooled it
- Identifying Complementary and Alternative Medicine Usage Information from Internet Resources. A Systematic Review.Methods of information in medicine · 2016Pooled it
- Pharmacokinetics-based identification of pseudoaldosterogenic compounds originating from Glycyrrhiza uralensis roots (Gancao) after dosing LianhuaQingwen capsule.Acta pharmacologica Sinica · 2021Trial
- Interactions between cytochrome P450 enzymes and traditional Chinese herbs: A comprehensive review.Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA · 2026Review
- Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal and Edible Plants for Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Delivery Systems, and Clinical Evidence.Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Integrated Chemical and Toxicity Screening of Tap Drinking Water across Western Oregon Using Suspect and Nontarget Screening.Environmental science & technology · 2026Article
- Licorice-Induced Pseudohyperaldosteronism Highlights an Underestimated Etiology of Hypertension.Kidney international reports · 2026Article
- Case Report: Delirium and complications resulting from the abuse of compound liquorice tablets.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Exploration of the In Vitro and In Vivo Neuroprotective Effects of Several Polyphenolics on LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation.Biochemistry research international · 2026Article
- Modulatory effects of bioactive natural compounds on pruritic pathways: mechanistic basis and therapeutic prospects.Inflammopharmacology · 2025Review
- Article
- Integrated network toxicology, machine learning algorithms and TMT proteomics reveal the mechanism of 18β glycyrrhetinic acid against gastric cancer.Frontiers in genetics · 2025Article
- Neuroactive Phytoconstituents ofCurrent topics in medicinal chemistry · 2025Review
- Licorice-Induced Pseudohyperaldosteronism: A Case Report.Clinical case reports · 2025Article
- Biological insights and therapeutic potential of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and its bioactive compounds: an updated review.Archives of pharmacal research · 2024Review
- Increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in young and middle-aged adults with obesity receiving Chinese herbal medicine: A nationwide cohort study.Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA · 2024Article
- Licorice Toxicity Presenting As Refractory Hypokalemia and Hypertension in an Elderly Patient.Cureus · 2024Article
- Pseudo-Hyperaldosteronism Arising from Licorice Cough Syrup Self-Ingestion: A Case Report.Reports (MDPI) · 2024Article
- Pseudohyperaldosteronism Due to Licorice: A Practice-Based Learning from a Case Series.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Article
- Glycyrrhizin Production in Licorice Hairy Roots Based on Metabolic Redirection of Triterpenoid Biosynthetic Pathway by Genome Editing.Plant & cell physiology · 2024Article
30 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
10 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Licorice extract has always been recognized as a sweetener and a thirst quencher. Its nutritive value is overrated by many who consume significant amounts and are prone to complications. Glycyrrhetic acid, the active metabolite in licorice, inhibits the enzyme 11-ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme type 2 with a resultant cortisol-induced mineralocorticoid effect and the tendency towards the elevation of sodium and reduction of potassium levels. This aldosterone-like action is the fundamental basis for understanding its health benefits and the wide spectrum of adverse effects. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of licorice along with the reported complications related to excess intake. Despite its apparent use in a few clinical scenarios, the daily consumption of licorice is never justified because its benefits are minor compared to the adverse outcomes of chronic consumption. The review highlights the importance of investigating the dietary habits and herbal remedies which are being used worldwide on cultural and habitual bases rather than reliable scientific evidence. Licorice is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food supplement used in many products without precise regulations to prevent toxicity. Increased awareness among the public is required through TV commercials, newspapers, internet sites, magazines and product labels regarding the upper limit of ingestion and health hazards associated with excess intake. We hope that this review will serve as a warning message that should be transmitted from physicians to patients to avoid excessive licorice intake as well as a message to the FDA to start regulating the use of this substance.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.