Which three types of people cannot take licorice tablets

People with yin deficiency and excessive fire, edema patients, and pregnant women usually cannot take licorice tablets. Although licorice tablets have the effect of relieving cough and resolving phlegm, due to their sweet and warm nature, they may exacerbate heat and dampness stagnation in the body. Special populations should be cautious.

1. Individuals with Yin deficiency and excessive heat

Individuals with Yin deficiency and excessive heat constitution often experience symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, hot flashes, and night sweats. The glycyrrhetinic acid in licorice tablets has a glucocorticoid like effect, which may promote deficiency fire and worsen symptoms. If this group of people need to cough, they can choose Yangyin Qingfei Wan or Chuanbei Loquat Dew as substitutes, while avoiding spicy and hot foods.

II. Edema patients

Glycyrrhizic acid will promote sodium ion retention and potassium ion excretion, and aggravate the disorder of water and sodium metabolism. Patients with cardiogenic edema and renal edema may experience exacerbation of lower limb edema after taking medication. Patients of this type are advised to consult a doctor to switch to cough suppressants that do not contain licorice, such as ambroxol oral solution, and strictly control salt intake.

III. Pregnant women

Licorice tablets may affect aldosterone levels in the body, and long-term use may increase the risk of premature birth. When pregnant women have cough, they can follow the doctor's advice to use relatively safe fresh bamboo juice oral solution, and relieve symptoms through dietary therapy such as rock sugar stewed pear. Any medication use during pregnancy must be carried out under the guidance of a professional physician. In addition to the above-mentioned population, hypertensive patients also need to control the dosage of licorice tablets. Daily use of licorice tablets should not exceed 7 days. If low potassium symptoms such as headache and limb weakness occur, the medication should be stopped immediately. It is recommended to monitor blood pressure and potassium levels during medication and avoid taking them together with cardiac glycosides. Patients with persistent cough should seek medical attention promptly to identify the cause, rather than relying solely on medication.