Ayurvedic Teas: The Real Danger of Licorice and Other Precautions
Ayurvedic teas are generally gentle, but one very common ingredient, licorice, carries a real, well-documented risk with regular use. Here is what to know.
Ayurvedic teas are, for the most part, gentle and safe everyday drinks. One ingredient, though, shows up very often in "Vata" and digestive blends and deserves real vigilance with regular consumption: licorice, whose effect on blood pressure and potassium is now well documented.
What research shows about licorice
A meta-analysis by Penninkilampi, Eslick and Eslick, published in 2017 in the Journal of Human Hypertension, pooled 18 studies covering 337 participants and confirmed a clear association between regular licorice consumption and higher blood pressure, lower blood potassium (hypokalemia), and reduced plasma renin and aldosterone (study available from the journal's website). The effect correlates with the daily dose of glycyrrhizic acid, fennel/">licorice's active compound, and applies both to concentrated supplements and to infusions consumed regularly in large amounts.
In practice: an occasional cup of turmeric/">licorice tea poses no problem for most people. It's daily, prolonged consumption, particularly of concentrated blends, that carries the risk documented by this research.
Who should be particularly careful with licorice?
| Situation | Precaution |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Avoid daily, prolonged consumption of licorice-rich teas |
| Diuretic or heart treatment | Risk of interaction with potassium; ask your doctor or pharmacist |
| Pregnancy | Regular consumption not advised; several studies link it to increased pregnancy risk; get medical advice beforehand |
| Kidney disease | Extra caution around potassium balance; medical advice essential |
The first signs of excess (rare, but worth knowing): headaches, unusual fatigue, muscle cramps, or blood pressure that rises without explanation. These signs should prompt you to stop regular consumption and, if needed, seek medical advice.
Other precautions to know
- Cinnamon in large amounts: the coumarin it contains, at high doses and over a prolonged period, can strain the liver in sensitive people; a moderate daily cup poses no problem for most people.
- Concentrated ginger: moderate it with heartburn or anticoagulant treatment, as a precaution.
- Children: favor very mild infusions (light fennel) and ask a pediatrician before regular use.
- Drug interactions: substantial, regular consumption of certain herbs can interact with ongoing treatments; ask your pharmacist if in doubt.
How to drink Ayurvedic teas without risk?
Vary your blends rather than drinking the same licorice-rich tea daily, read the ingredient list before buying to spot licorice near the top, and reserve licorice-rich blends for occasional use rather than a prolonged daily habit. Our guide Ayurvedic teas: choosing well covers how to read ingredient lists and dosage guidelines by use.
Precautions
Ayurvedic teas remain, for the most part, safe drinks in moderate daily consumption. The real documented precaution concerns licorice with regular, prolonged consumption, particularly for people with high blood pressure, on diuretic treatment, or pregnant. A tea never replaces medical treatment or a consultation for a symptom that persists. For the full set of precautions, see our safety and precautions guide.
Your questions about ayurvedic teas
Is licorice in tea really dangerous?
Occasional consumption poses no problem for most people. A 2017 meta-analysis of 18 studies confirmed that regular, prolonged consumption can raise blood pressure and lower blood potassium, an effect correlated with the daily dose.
Who should avoid licorice-rich teas?
People with high blood pressure, those on diuretic or heart treatment, pregnant women, and people with kidney disease. In these situations, it's best to limit consumption to occasional use or avoid it, asking a health professional if in doubt.
What signs of excess licorice should raise concern?
Headaches, unusual fatigue, muscle cramps, or blood pressure rising without explanation. These signs should lead you to stop regular consumption and, if needed, see a doctor.
Can you drink Ayurvedic teas every day without risk?
Yes for most gentle kitchen-spice blends (cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamom). The main caution concerns licorice with prolonged daily consumption: better to vary your blends than to stick with one that contains a lot of it.
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