Most "licorice candy" sold in the United States is flavored with anise oil and does not actually contain licorice.

Commentary

Although licorice derivatives have been studied for use against peptic ulcer disease, such products have not performed better than H 2 antagonists and may be less well tolerated. Glycyrrhetic acid may playa role in increasing the topical action of low-potency steroids while minimizing systemic effects, but this research is still preliminary. Glycyrrhetic acid is the chief cause of licorice-induced pseudohyperaldosteronism syndrome seen with licorice ingestion, because of its inhibitory effect on the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Surprisingly, licorice in any form, even as candy, should be considered cautiously because chronic ingestion of low doses as well as high doses can be toxic, exemplified by a multitude of serious adverse events documented in the literature.

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