Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest, a sour taste in the mouth, and discomfort after meals. If you experience these symptoms regularly, you may have wondered whether a natural remedy such as licorice tea could help.
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Licorice root has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for digestive complaints. However, traditional use does not necessarily mean that a remedy has been proven effective in clinical studies.
So, does licorice tea help acid reflux? The evidence is limited, and there is not enough high-quality research to conclude that ordinary licorice tea reliably relieves acid reflux. Some licorice preparations, including deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), have been studied for digestive symptoms, but their benefits for acid reflux remain uncertain.
This guide explains what research tells us, how ordinary licorice tea differs from DGL, the potential risks, and evidence-based steps that may help manage acid reflux.
Does Licorice Tea Help Acid Reflux? The Quick Answer
Licorice tea may appeal to people looking for a natural approach to digestive discomfort, but it has not been established as an effective treatment for acid reflux.
Licorice root contains compounds such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids. Researchers have investigated licorice for several health applications, but the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that there is not enough high-quality evidence to clearly support licorice for most health conditions.
You can read its guidance here: NCCIH: Licorice Root — Usefulness and Safety.
It is important to distinguish between traditional use, early research, and proven treatment. If you have recurring heartburn or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), do not replace recommended treatment with licorice tea.
What Is Licorice Tea?
Licorice tea is an herbal drink made from the root of licorice plants, including Glycyrrhiza glabra. It has a naturally sweet flavor and has been used in traditional practices for digestive and respiratory complaints.
Licorice root contains several compounds, including:
Glycyrrhizin: A compound associated with many of licorice's potential effects and its most important safety concerns.
Flavonoids: Plant compounds that have been studied for various biological activities.
Other plant constituents: Their amounts vary depending on the plant, preparation, and product.
The presence of these compounds does not prove that drinking licorice tea will reduce stomach acid, prevent reflux, or heal irritation in the esophagus.
Another important point: products sold as licorice-flavored tea do not always contain actual licorice root. Check the ingredient list if you are trying to understand what a particular tea contains.
How Might Licorice Affect Digestive Symptoms?
Licorice has been investigated for several possible digestive effects. However, much of the research does not directly establish that ordinary licorice tea improves acid reflux.
1. Possible Effects on the Digestive Tract
Certain licorice preparations have been studied for their effects on digestive tissues. However, it would be inaccurate to conclude that drinking licorice tea necessarily soothes the esophagus or prevents stomach contents from flowing backward.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move into the esophagus. The condition can involve the function of the lower esophageal sphincter and other factors. A herbal tea has not been shown to reliably correct these underlying mechanisms.
2. What About Stomach Lining Protection?
Some research has examined licorice preparations for their possible effects on the stomach lining and other digestive conditions.
However, the stomach and esophagus are different tissues, and results from studies of one digestive condition cannot automatically be applied to another. Evidence concerning ulcers, for example, does not prove that licorice tea treats GERD.
More high-quality clinical research would be needed to establish whether a particular licorice preparation meaningfully improves acid reflux symptoms.
3. Does Licorice Reduce Inflammation?
Licorice compounds have been investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory and other research settings. But laboratory findings do not necessarily translate into meaningful benefits for people who drink licorice tea.
At present, it is more accurate to describe these effects as areas of research rather than established benefits for acid reflux.
Licorice Tea vs. DGL: What Is the Difference?
One of the most important distinctions is between ordinary licorice root and deglycyrrhizinated licorice, commonly called DGL.
DGL is processed to remove most of the glycyrrhizin, the compound responsible for many of the serious adverse effects associated with licorice.
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DGL and ordinary licorice tea should not be treated as interchangeable. Research on one preparation cannot automatically prove that another preparation works in the same way.
Although removing glycyrrhizin may reduce certain risks, it does not make DGL a proven treatment for acid reflux or guarantee that every product is safe for every person.
Is Licorice Tea Safe to Drink for Acid Reflux?
Safety is a major consideration when evaluating licorice tea. Ordinary licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious adverse effects, particularly with high intake or prolonged use.
According to NCCIH, glycyrrhizin can contribute to high blood pressure, low potassium levels, fluid retention, and, in severe cases, irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.
The risks may be especially concerning for people with certain medical conditions.
Who Should Be Particularly Careful?
Speak with a healthcare professional before using licorice products if you:
Have high blood pressure.
Have heart or kidney disease.
Have a history of low potassium.
Take prescription medicines, especially medicines that may interact with herbal products.
Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Licorice may interact with some medicines, and the amount of glycyrrhizin in tea can vary. For that reason, there is no universal number of cups that can be recommended as safe for everyone.
I would not recommend drinking ordinary licorice tea daily or following a fixed two-to-four-week course specifically to treat reflux without professional advice. The evidence does not establish such a regimen as effective or safe for everyone.
What Can Help Relieve Acid Reflux?
If your goal is to reduce heartburn, several better-established approaches may help. The most appropriate approach depends on how often you experience symptoms and what triggers them.
1. Avoid Lying Down After Meals
If reflux occurs at night or when you lie down, try finishing meals at least three hours before bedtime. This may reduce symptoms for some people.
2. Identify Your Personal Food Triggers
Some people notice symptoms after eating certain foods or drinking particular beverages. Common triggers include coffee and other caffeinated drinks, chocolate, mint, high-fat meals, spicy foods, and acidic foods.
Not everyone reacts to the same foods. Keeping a simple food-and-symptom diary can help you identify patterns without unnecessarily eliminating large groups of foods.
3. Consider Elevating Your Upper Body at Night
For people who experience reflux while sleeping, elevating the head and upper body with an appropriate wedge may help. Simply adding pillows under the head may not provide the same support.
4. Seek Appropriate Treatment for Persistent Symptoms
Over-the-counter antacids may relieve occasional, mild heartburn. Other medicines, including H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), may be appropriate depending on the symptoms and medical history.
A healthcare professional can help determine which option is suitable. Do not stop prescribed medication or substitute an herbal remedy without discussing it with your clinician.
For more information, see the NIDDK guide to treatment for GER and GERD.
Seek medical assessment if heartburn is frequent, persistent, or not improving. Chest pain can have causes other than reflux; seek urgent medical care for severe or unexplained chest pain, particularly if it occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, or black stools also warrant prompt medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does licorice tea cure acid reflux?
No. There is not enough high-quality evidence to establish licorice tea as a cure or reliable treatment for acid reflux. Persistent symptoms should be assessed and managed using appropriate medical guidance.
Can I drink licorice tea every day for heartburn?
Daily use of ordinary licorice tea cannot be recommended as a universally safe approach. Glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium, especially with repeated or substantial intake. Ask a healthcare professional before using it regularly.
Is DGL better than ordinary licorice tea?
DGL has most of its glycyrrhizin removed, which may reduce certain risks associated with ordinary licorice. However, that does not prove DGL reliably treats acid reflux, and product quality and individual circumstances still matter.
How quickly does licorice tea relieve acid reflux?
There is insufficient reliable evidence to predict how quickly, or whether, ordinary licorice tea will relieve reflux symptoms. Claims that it works within a specific number of days are not well established.
What is the best tea for acid reflux?
There is no single tea that is proven to work for everyone with acid reflux. Herbal teas may also affect people differently. Pay attention to your own symptoms, check ingredients, and discuss persistent reflux with a healthcare professional rather than relying on tea as treatment.
When should I see a doctor about acid reflux?
Seek medical advice if symptoms occur frequently, persist despite lifestyle changes, interfere with sleep, or require repeated use of over-the-counter medicines. Difficulty swallowing, gastrointestinal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss also require medical evaluation. Seek urgent care for severe or unexplained chest pain.
Final Verdict: Should You Try Licorice Tea for Acid Reflux?
Licorice root has a long history of traditional use, and researchers continue to investigate its compounds. However, current evidence is not strong enough to conclude that ordinary licorice tea reliably relieves acid reflux.
DGL is different from ordinary licorice tea because most of its glycyrrhizin has been removed, but it should not be presented as a proven cure either.
If you experience heartburn, start with approaches supported by medical guidance, such as adjusting meal timing, identifying personal food triggers, and seeking appropriate treatment when symptoms persist.
The bottom line: Licorice tea is not a proven treatment for acid reflux, and ordinary licorice can cause important side effects. Make safety and reliable evidence your priority when considering any herbal remedy.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Sources
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Treatment for GER and GERD
PubMed: Systematic review and meta-analysis on licorice intake, blood pressure, and potassium