Licorice root with its sweet, blood-pressure-raising compound largely removed, acting locally on the stomach and oesophageal lining rather than by shutting down acid. Best supported: relief of heartburn, regurgitation and indigestion. Stomach bacterial load falls but is suppressed, not cleared; ulcer healing is conflicted. Products labelled free of the sweet compound often still contain it; potassium carries the harm signal. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Serum potassium | 4.0–4.5 mmol/L | Earliest signal of glycyrrhizin load |
| Serum sodium | 135–142 mmol/L | Detects the sodium retention side of the same mechanism |
| Home blood pressure | Below 120/80 mmHg averaged over 7 days | The clinical endpoint the risk is defined by |
| Serum magnesium | 2.0–2.4 mg/dL | Low magnesium makes potassium loss harder to correct |
| Plasma renin activity | 1.0–3.0 ng/mL/hour, upright | Suppression confirms a mineralocorticoid-like load |
| Serum aldosterone | 5–15 ng/dL, upright | Falls alongside renin under glycyrrhizin exposure |
| Estimated glomerular filtration rate | 90 mL/min/1.73 m² or above | Defines how well potassium can be conserved |
| Helicobacter pylori stool antigen or urea breath test | Negative | The endpoint if bacterial load is the goal |
Cadence: Home blood pressure daily for the first four weeks, then weekly. Serum potassium and sodium at baseline and four weeks, and again at twelve weeks for anyone continuing beyond a single course or taking diuretics. Kidney function every six to twelve months in continuous users.