A tea called Throat Coat made me lethargic and I was found to have low potassium. Is this a known problem? I was drinking 5 cups a day.

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High Blood Pressure from "Liver Support" Supplement

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated August 12, 2024 ⓘ

Throat Coat Tea and Potassium Loss -- box of Throat Coat tea

Answer:

The problem is with licorice root in Throat Coat tea, and this can also be a problem with black licorice candy and other licorice-containing foods.

Throat Coat contains a very large amount of licorice root (760 mg per tea bag) plus another 60 mg of a 6:1 licorice root extract, and these ingredients are likely to be the cause of your issues. Licorice root provides great flavor, but you need to exercise caution and moderation with it because it contains glycyrrhizin. Through an effect on the kidneys, glycyrrhizin in licorice root can cause loss of potassium, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and lethargy. Throat Coat has a warning on its box regarding these issues, although the warning does not identify the causative agent — licorice root.

Sign in as a member for details to learn more about this risk, which also relates to black licorice candy, dietary supplements (including Advanced Liver Support), and how to minimize the risk.

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