The short answer
Yes, there is evidence of an interaction. In a 1991 study, six healthy men took glycyrrhizin, the sweet compound in mulethi, before a dose of prednisolone. Their bodies cleared the prednisolone more slowly, so more of it stayed in the blood for longer. The European Medicines Agency advises against using licorice with corticosteroids, because together they may upset the body's salt and potassium balance.
The study used purified glycyrrhizin and one injected dose of prednisolone, so it does not tell us how much mulethi powder or tea would do the same. If you take steroid tablets, tell your prescribing doctor before you take mulethi in any form, and ask whether your blood pressure and potassium should be checked.
Steroid tablets in India include prednisolone, methylprednisolone (Medrol) and dexamethasone (Dexona).
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| More prednisolone in the blood, cleared more slowly[1] | Slower breakdown of prednisolone | More exposure to the steroid | Small clinical study |
| Salt and potassium imbalance[2][3] | Glycyrrhizin and corticosteroids both push the body to hold salt and lose potassium | Fluid retention and low potassium | Theoretical by mechanism |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Study in healthy volunteers, 1991 Small clinical study
Six healthy men were given prednisolone by injection, once on its own and once after taking glycyrrhizin by mouth (50 mg four times). With glycyrrhizin, total and free prednisolone levels were higher over 24 hours, the body cleared it more slowly, and it stayed in the body longer. The abstract gives no percentages. The study used purified glycyrrhizin, not mulethi root, and a single dose of prednisolone.[1]
What your doctor may watch for
- Blood pressure, swelling from fluid, and potassium levels.[2]
- Steroid side effects that seem stronger than before. Any change to your steroid dose is for your prescribing doctor to decide.[1]
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, mulethi (licorice) as a tea, powder, lozenge or cough product (name and how much) along with my steroid medicine. A study found glycyrrhizin from licorice slowed the clearance of prednisolone. Should my blood pressure and potassium be checked?”
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
How does licorice affect cortisol?
Glycyrrhizin lets cortisol, the body's own steroid hormone, act more like aldosterone, the hormone that makes the kidneys hold salt and lose potassium. In the 1991 study it also slowed the clearance of prednisolone, a steroid medicine. NCCIH notes that interactions between licorice and corticosteroids have been reported.[1][3]
Do steroid inhalers and creams count?
The study tested prednisolone given into the bloodstream. Inhalers and creams were not studied, so ask your doctor whether yours is a concern.[1]
Related
Mulethi (licorice) and blood pressure medicines
Glycyrrhizin in mulethi raises blood pressure and lowers potassium. It can work against blood pressure medicines, as a regulator and a case report show.
InteractionMulethi (licorice) with water pills and digoxin
Mulethi and many water pills lower potassium. People taking licorice with hydrochlorothiazide had low potassium, which makes digoxin riskier.
InteractionAshwagandha with steroids and transplant drugs
One kidney transplant patient on tacrolimus, mycophenolate and prednisone rejected and lost the kidney after taking ashwagandha.
InteractionGiloy with immunosuppressants and steroids
Not tested together. Giloy has been linked to autoimmune-like liver injury, which matters for people whose immune system is being treated.
Sources
- Chen MF, Shimada F, Kato H, Yano S, Kanaoka M. Effect of oral administration of glycyrrhizin on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone. Endocrinol Jpn. 1991;38(2):167-174. PMID 1752235.
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Glycyrrhiza glabra L., G. inflata Bat., G. uralensis Fisch., radix. EMA/HMPC/108399/2024, revision 1, adopted 4 March 2026. Sections 4.4 and 4.5.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Licorice Root.
Updated 4 November 2026
Taking yashtimadhu with other medicines? A vaidya can check your full list.
Medicine Check · ₹299