Liquorice root

[misaryk]

Hi has anyone here heard of liquorice root helping the adrenal glands to kick in when weaning down on prednisone? Thanks in advance. 😊

[christine2715]

I have a very good herbalist in Lewes and he told me liquorice is good when reducing but I am still at 30 mg so havnt tried it yet. I was also told aloa Vera can help. Asked my rheumy about aloa and he just said it wouldn't hurt to try it.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello both! I just wanted to say that liquorice should be avoided by those with high blood pressure.

Also, the drug website mentions that an ingredient in liquorice may alter prednisolone plasma concentrations, among other things.

Anyone taking steroids should always check compatibility with a good pharmacist before taking any other medication or herbal product, whether on prescription or purchased over-the-counter.

[misaryk in reply to Celtic]

Good advice thanks again.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Just to back up Celtic's post - this question has arisen in the past on the forums and research then led to a recommendation NOT to take liquorice alongside pred as there is an interaction.

The University of Maryland has this article about licorice with appropriate warnings:

umm.edu/health/medical/altm...

Please do not believe everything you hear from herbalists - they have an agenda to sell something to you and more often than not do not have the medical knowledge that is needed for patients on medication.

[misaryk in reply to PMRpro]

Ok thank you for replying I am currently at 7.5 mg as per the doctors wishes and am starting to feel not as well at this dose. So I thought maybe the licorice root tea might help. Quick question to you, since I have dropped to 7.5 mg I have had a bumpy rash appear on my upper chest area, could this be related to the lower dosage and my body reacting?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to misaryk]

In what way do you feel "not so well"? You are never reducing relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest dose that manages your symptoms as well as the starting dose did. At 7.5mg theoretically you are still on enough to cover basic needs but if you don't absorb pred well you could well be below the physiological level already. The key now is SLOW - and that does not always fit well with "as per the doctor's wishes". It isn't his pain and everyone is different. There is no one size fits all - and that is especially true with reductions! Your adrenal glands can't respond until the pred is lowered but far better here is to reduce VERY slowly.

The rash? Possibly - or have you been out in the sun? I had a rosacea-like rash where my t-shirt neckline was when I was on higher doses of pred - it makes you more sun-sensitive. At lower doses it went, back this year with the higher dose because of the flare.

[misaryk in reply to PMRpro]

This rash came since I have lowered my dose 3 days ago to 7.5 I pretty much stay in the shade, so I don't think it is from sun exposure. By feeling unwell I mean nauseated, very achey, stiff and sore neck and shoulders, tire easy. All that fun stuff lol

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to misaryk]

Like PMR used to be? It could simply be your dose is now marginally too low - 1/2mg can make a BIG difference. But the symptoms can also be the sign your cortisol levels are just a bit low to cope well with what you are doing. Either way, the answer is a bit more pred. If it is just low adrenal function waiting a bit should allow it to improve - but don't reduce again just yet until you are feeling well again.

[misaryk in reply to misaryk]

Ok thank you so much once again for your valuable info. 😊 Much appreciated. Have a great day.

[cdenoncourt]

Hi Misaryk,

Over a year ago I read about liquorice root being a boost to adrenal glands when tapering on low doses of prednisone. I tried it and I'm convinced it helps. I make a tea from liquorice root in early afternoon nearly every day and it seems to me like I get almost an immediate boost to my flagging energy. (Root teas should steep for 10 minutes to get the best benefits). Liquorice is known to increase blood pressure, which I have measured on myself. I don't mind because my blood pressure is low with my adrenal insufficiency, but liquorice should not be taken by people with high blood pressure.

[misaryk in reply to cdenoncourt]

Thanks for replying.😊

[tiasbear]

I heard about licorice root as well. I've always wondered that if prednisone is suppressing the adrenal glands why would you want to boost them at the same time? It seems to me that you would just be decreasing the effects of the prednisone.

[misaryk in reply to tiasbear]

I heard that when you are reducing your dosage it may help prevent possible withdrawal symptoms when you are lowering your mgs. But then I have also heard that as you say it can affect the body absorbing the prednisone that you are taking. So I am thinking it is probably best to have a cup of licorice tea when you are almost completely off prednisone to help you adrenals kick in? Have to research more.