Children's Health: Early childhood bronchiolitis increases asthma risk in adulthood ♦ Out of school and into debt? Calls for teens to better understand on money matters

Early childhood bronchiolitis increases asthma risk in adulthood People who have had bronchiolitis in early childhood have an increased risk of asthma at the age of 28-31 and a weaker health-related quality of life than their peers. In lung function tests, they also demonstrate changes indicative of irreversible airway obstruction, according to a new study. Bronchiolitis and pneumonia are common lower respiratory tract infections in early childhood.

Out of school and into debt? Calls for teens to better understand on money matters A new study has found school leavers and first-year university students don't know how to manage a car loan, repay credit cards or figure out mobile phone deals.

Hiding tobacco products at convenience stores reduces teens' risk of future tobacco use A one-of-a-kind laboratory replica of a convenience store is the first to use a realistic setting to examine whether limiting displays of cigarettes and other tobacco products in retail outlets can reduce the intention of young people to begin smoking. Researchers found an 11 percent reduction in cigarette smoking susceptibility when the tobacco 'powerwall' was hidden.

Marked decline in retailer compliance after enactment of NYC's Tobacco 21 law In a study examining compliance with NYC's law increasing legal age for purchasing cigarettes from 18 to 21, researchers found retailer compliance with ID checks significantly decreased since the law became effective. Prior to this change, 29 percent of retailers sampled were noncompliant; afterward, 38 percent of retailers sampled failed to ask for ID when selling cigarettes to young people.

Children's Health: Early contact with dogs linked to lower risk of asthma ♦ Pertussis infection in children associated with small increased risk of epilepsy

Early contact with dogs linked to lower risk of asthma Scientists have used national register information in more than one million children to study the association of early life contact with dogs and subsequent development of asthma. This question has been studied extensively previously, but conclusive findings have been lacking. The new study showed that children who grew up with dogs had about 15 percent less asthma than children without dogs.

Around a fifth of unvaccinated ethnic school girls in UK think they don't need Human Papilloma Virus because they feel they don't need to have it.

Kicking substance addiction in teens: Tobacco dependence should be treated with same urgency as other drugs, study says Substance abuse treatments that target main issues such as serious drug and alcohol addiction are not frequently being used to also wean adolescents from tobacco.

Pertussis infection in children associated with small increased risk of epilepsy Although the absolute risk was low, researchers found an increased risk of childhood-onset epilepsy among children in Denmark who had a hospital-diagnosed pertussis infection, compared with the general population.

Children's Health:Early maturing girls at great risk of alcohol abuse without close parental supervision ♦ Birth weight affects social trust, ♦ Blocking light improves preemies' survival rates

Early exposure to tobacco can cause behavioral problems in children Researchers have analyzed data on pre- and postnatal exposure to tobacco in the homes of 5,200 primary school children, and have found that early exposure to tobacco can lead to behavioral problems in children.

Birth weight affects social trust, Low birth weight is statistically correlated with low levels of social trust. The findings deepen our understanding of what keeps society together.

Early maturing girls at great risk of alcohol abuse without close parental supervision Inadequate parental supervision during early adolescence forecasts a host of behavior problems, including problem drinking. Early maturing girls given the most autonomy had the highest rates of alcohol abuse, with intoxication frequency increasing an average of 234 percent.

Early life infections may be a risk factor for Celiac disease in childhood Children with frequent infections in the first 18 months of life have a slightly increased risk of later developing celiac disease compared with children who have few infections, conclude researchers. Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. In recent decades there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of celiac disease and it is believed that one per cent of the population in Western countries.

Blocking light improves preemies' survival rates The survival rate of preemies born between 26 to 31 weeks of gestation is improved by blocking light from reaching the intravenously-fed infused nutritious mixture they depend on for survival.

Children's Health: Smoke from forest fires aggravates respiratory health of children.♦ New drugs could stop growth of drug-resistant childhood tumors

Researchers document self-reported use of new, uncommon synthetic drugs by teens, young adults This is the first study reporting on use of a variety of new drugs in a nationally representative U.S. sample. Researchers are confident that use was severely underreported, as the subjects were not asked about most of these new drugs specifically. The researchers advocate for health surveys to ask about use of new drugs, in addition to traditional drugs such as marijuana and cocaine, in order to quickly pick up on potential drug epidemics.

New drugs could stop growth of drug-resistant childhood tumors New drugs are needed to treat the most common type of childhood brain tumor and could also be effective against skin cancer, scientists report. They tested a drug called Roflumilast in mice with a brain tumor that is resistant to Vismodegib, the drug in current use. Roflumilast is normally used to treat inflammatory lung diseases. It dramatically inhibited tumor growth from the first day of treatment.

Smoke from forest fires aggravates respiratory health of children. Air pollution from forest fires aggravates the respiratory health of children.Researchers conclude that this study provides scientific evidence that wildfires, such as those that devastated a large part of the province of Valencia, Spain in 2012, affect the health of children, especially of those who are more susceptible.

Video game warnings fall far short in rating tobacco content Video games are not adequately rated for tobacco content video gamers are being widely exposed to tobacco imagery

Solo grandparents raising grandchildren at greater risk than parents for serious health problems Single grandparents raising grandchildren are more vulnerable to poor physical and mental health than are single parents. These caregivers may be at greater risk for diminished physical capacity and heightened prevalence of depression.

Children's Health: Teen marijuana use down despite greater availability ♦iVruses flourish in guts of healthy babies ♦ Time spent outdoors results in decreased rate of nearsightedness

Viruses flourish in guts of healthy babies Bacteria aren't the only nonhuman invaders to colonize the gut shortly after a baby's birth. Viruses also set up house there. The study is one of the first surveys of viruses that reside in the intestine, beginning the work of defining a healthy gut virome.

Racial disparities in pain of children with appendicitis in EDs Black children were less likely to receive any pain medication for moderate pain and less likely to receive opioids for severe pain than white children in a study of racial disparities in the pain management of children with appendicitis in emergency department.

Teen marijuana use down despite greater availability Marijuana use among American high school students is significantly lower today than it was 15 years ago, despite the legalization in many states of marijuana for medical purposes, a move toward decriminalization of the drug and the approval of its recreational use in a handful of places.

Hookah tobacco smoking seems to be increasing in both prevalence, frequency Nearly one in five recently surveyed high school seniors report having smoked tobacco from a hookah in the past year, and more than a third of them reported smoking hookahs often enough to be considered regular users. The findings add to evidence that hookah use among adolescents is increasing in both prevalence and frequency.

Additional time spent outdoors by children results in decreased rate of nearsightedness The addition of a daily outdoor activity class at school for three years for children in Guangzhou, China, resulted in a reduction in the rate of myopia (nearsightedness, the ability to see close objects more clearly than distant objects,

E-cigarettes May Affect Teen Tobacco Use

Electronic cigarettes—also called e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems—are battery-operated devices that deliver nicotine in vapor. These devices heat a liquid solution of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals to produce an aerosol that the user inhales, a process called “vaping.” They are often promoted as safer alternatives to cigarettes and other traditional combustible tobacco products. But while e-cigarettes can deliver nicotine with less of the chemicals known to cause cancer, their health effects haven’t been well studied.

E-cigarettes are promoted for their potential to reduce the harms of conventional tobacco use. But they might also serve as a gateway to for adolescents to begin using conventional tobacco products. Credit: Andrea Carpedi/iStock/Thinkstock.

E-cigarettes are marketed in ways that can appeal to nonsmokers, especially children and adolescents. Such young users could become addicted to nicotine, which might lead them to try smoking tobacco products. To investigate these possible links, a team led by Dr. Adam M. Leventhal at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine examined data from a survey of high school students from 10 diverse public high schools in Los Angeles.

Their analysis included more than 2,500 students who reported they hadn’t smoked any tobacco products when first surveyed at the start of ninth grade. After 6 and 12 months, the students were asked about their use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes, full-size cigars, little cigars/cigarillos, blunts, and hookah water pipes. The work was funded in part by NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Cancer Institute (NCI). Results were published on August 18, 2015, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

At the beginning of the study, 222 students reported they had tried e-cigarettes but no smokable tobacco products. The rest had used neither e-cigarettes nor smokable tobacco. During the first 6 months, 31% of those who had used e-cigarettes started smoking tobacco, compared to 8% of those who had never used e-cigarettes. Over the following 6 months, 25% of e-cigarette users reported they had smoked tobacco in the past 6 months, compared to 9% of those who hadn’t used e-cigarettes.

“Recreational e-cigarette use is becoming increasingly popular among teens who have never smoked tobacco,” Leventhal says. “While we cannot conclude that e-cigarette use directly leads to smoking, this research raises concerns that recent increases in youth e-cigarette use could ultimately perpetuate the epidemic of smoking-related illness.”

“While teen tobacco use has fallen in recent years, this study confirms that we should continue to vigilantly watch teen smoking patterns,” says NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow

Kids and Tobacco Use Kids and Tobacco Use

The number of kids smoking cigarettes is down—but the number using other tobacco products is way up. That’s the word from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), co-conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“This is the only nationally representative survey of middle and high school students that focuses exclusively on tobacco use,” says Benjamin J. Apelberg, Ph.D., branch chief of epidemiology at FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.

Survey results provided a national snapshot of what tobacco products today’s middle and high school youth are using, as well as emerging trends over time.

The key findings include:

• In 2014, one in four high school students and one in 13 middle school students reported being tobacco users (using one or more tobacco products in the previous 30 days).
• Of the then-current 4.6 million youth tobacco users, 2.4 million reported using e-cigarettes.
• Between 2011 and 2014, the percentage of students reporting current use of cigarettes decreased from 15.8% to 9.2%.
• Between 2011 and 2014, hookah use among high school students doubled and e-cigarette use increased even more dramatically.
• In 2014, nearly 2.2 million students reported using two or more tobacco products.

Since the survey started collecting data on e-cigarettes in 2011, in 2014 their current use for the first time surpassed current use of every other tobacco product, including conventional cigarettes.

“One thing the study confirms for us is that the tobacco product landscape has changed dramatically,” Apelberg says. “Middle and high school kids are using novel products like e-cigarettes and hookahs in unprecedented numbers, and many are using more than one kind of tobacco product.”

It’s something of a good news/bad news picture, says FDA epidemiologist Catherine Corey. “While we’re glad to see cigarette smoking decreasing in middle and high school youth, the increase in the use of e-cigarettes and hookahs undermines progress in reducing tobacco use among kids,” she says.

Nicotine Can Affect the Developing Brain

Nicotine is dangerous and highly addictive for kids at any age, whether it comes from an e-cigarette, hookah, cigarette or cigar. Because the brain is still developing, adolescence appears to be a particularly vulnerable time. Research has clearly demonstrated that exposure to nicotine at a young age increases the chance that kids will become addicted. In addition to nicotine exposure, tobacco use can be harmful due to the numerous other chemicals present in tobacco products that can cause disease.

“Youth should not use tobacco in any form,” Apelberg says.

At this time, FDA has regulatory authority over cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco. The agency is in the process of finalizing a rule that would extend its authority to regulate additional products that meet the legal definition of a tobacco product, such as electronic cigarettes, cigars and hookahs. FDA is also proposing a minimum age of 18 for buying tobacco.

How You Can Help

FDA’s tobacco compliance and enforcement efforts range from training and education to monitoring compliance with the law and initiating advisory and enforcement actions. In addition, the agency inspects tobacco retailers to ensure, among other things, that retailers are checking IDs and not selling regulated tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.

Consumers can help FDA by reporting potential violations of the agency’s rules for tobacco products, either online or by phone at 1-877-CTP-1373

Health Research:Elevated triglycerides linked to protection against type 2 diabetes ♦ Contact lens wearers get more infections do to 'microbiomes' changing

Genetically elevated triglyceride level associated with protection against type 2 diabetes Elevated plasma triglyceride level is considered a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but new findings suggest that a genetically-elevated triglyceride level is associated with protection against type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that triglyceride-increasing alleles are associated with decreased type 2 diabetes incidence.

End European agreements with tobacco industry designed to curb smuggling, urge experts The agreements drawn up between the European Union and the four major transnational tobacco companies, to crack down on cigarette smuggling and recoup lost tax revenues, are failing to meet their stated aims

American surgery patients: More pain medication, yet more pain New research shows that American patients undergoing orthopedic surgery receive more treatments for pain and that their experience of pain differs in some aspects to orthopedic patients internationally.

No reason for laughing gas to be withdrawn from operating theaters A new article concludes that there is 'no clinically relevant evidence for the withdrawal of nitrous oxide.

Contact lens wearers: Eyes may get more infections because their 'microbiomes' have changed Using high-precision genetic tests to differentiate the thousands of bacteria that make up the human microbiome, researchers suggest that they have found a possible — and potentially surprising — root cause of the increased frequency of certain eye infections among contact lens wearers.

Health News: More artificial ingredients coming off Panera's menu ♦ Tea tainted with pesticides ♦ Technique helps smokers quit tobacco

More artificial ingredients coming off Panera's menu Fast casual restaurant chain Panera is expanding the list of additives they won’t allow in their food. The company announced Tuesday that, by the end of 2016, all of the food in its U.S. bakery-cafes will be free of artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners and flavors. New “clean” salad dressings free of artificial ingredients will be

Ten Ren tea tainted with pesticides Fipronil is a pesticide that can cause cancer when consumed by humans. The FDA launched a large-scale investigation into tea chains nationwide after the Stornaway tea scare broke early in April. The Taichung Department of Health discovered 0.003 ppm of fipronil in Easy Way Bubble Tea House's black tea on May 4, which violates the

Psychological technique helps smokers quit tobacco Researchers have demonstrated that motivational interviewing can make smokers see tobacco as something disagreeable, thus helping them to quit the habit. Motivational interviewing is a psychological technique of direct intervention that seeks to produce changes in patient behavior.

Exposure to air pollution in the first year of life increases risk for allergies Exposure to outdoor air pollution during the first year of life increases the risk of developing allergies to food, mould, pets and pests, new research concludes. The study showed that the sensitivity to allergens was associated with exposure to traffic-related air pollution during infancy

Rheumatoid arthritis patients at increased risk of surprise heart attack Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of a surprise heart attack, according to new research. Risk was increased even when patients had no symptoms and was independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, researchers report.

Childrens Health News: Kids' lunch bags flunk food safety test--Teens likely use multiple forms of tobacco-- Low childhood vitamin D linked to adult atherosclerosis

Kids' lunch bags flunk food safety test You may think you're doing the right thing, packing your kid's lunch in an insulated lunch bag to keep it cold and safe. But the KATU Problem Solvers put insulated bags to the test and the results may be a shock for parents. Some parents pack their children's lunches before 7:00 am, but their children do not eat lunch until noon, or even later. The lunches are not … Continue Reading

Teens likely use multiple forms of tobacco, study finds Teens who use tobacco products are likely to use more than one product, including e-cigarettes, hookahs and pipes, and smokeless tobacco, according to a new study.Continue Reading

Low childhood vitamin D linked to adult atherosclerosis Low levels of 25-OH vitamin D in childhood were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis over 25 years later in adulthood, according to a new study Continue Reading

Meth messes up brains of youths far more than adults In a study with chronic adolescent and adult meth users in South Korea, MRI brain scans showed decreased thickness in the gray matter of younger users’ frontal cortex. Adult brains showed less damage Continue Reading

Pregnancy Health News;Too much folic acid while pregnant may put daughters at risk ♦ Damage from obesity passed to offspring ♦ Tobacco-smoking increases diabetes risk for children in utero

Taking too much folic acid while pregnant may put daughters at risk of diabetes and obesity

Mothers that take excessive amounts of folic acid during pregnancy may predispose their daughters to diabetes and obesity later in life. With high dose supplements being widely available, the study calls for a need to establish a safe upper limit of folic acid intake for pregnant women.Continue Reading

Damage from obesity passed to offspring, but impact can be reversed,

In a breakthrough discovery, researchers have revealed how damage from obesity in mice is passed from a mother to her children, and also how that damage can be reversed.Continue Reading

Tobacco-smoking moms and dads increase diabetes risk for children in utero

Children exposed to tobacco smoke from their parents while in the womb are predisposed to developing diabetes as adults.Continue Reading

Smokeless Tobacco Causes 3 Types of Cancer

These findings highlight opportunities for reducing the health and economic burdens of tobacco use among U.S. workers, especially those in certain industries (e.g., mining) and occupations (e.g., construction and extraction) where use of smokeless tobacco is especially common.

In 2010, cigarette smoking among working adults was significantly lower than in 2005 (19.1 percent vs. 22.2 percent), but the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among adult workers did not significantly differ (3.0 percent in 2010 vs. 2.7 percent in 2005), according to a new study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Among working adults who also smoked cigarettes, the proportion who used smokeless tobacco was 4.1 percent in 2005 and 4.2 percent 2010.

Smokeless tobacco use varied widely by industry and occupation, and was highest among workers in the mining industry (18.8 percent) and in construction and extraction occupations such as mining and oil and gas extraction (10.8 percent). These findings can help health professionals direct assistance to working men and women to stop using smokeless tobacco, a known cause of oral, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer.

Rates of New Lung Cancer Cases Drop in U.S. Men and Women

Rates of new lung cancer cases drop in U.S. men and women

CDC report finds fastest drop in adults aged 35-44 years

Rates of new lung cancer cases are dropping

Tobacco control efforts are having a major impact on Americans’ health, a new analysis of lung-cancer data suggests. The rate of new lung cancer cases decreased among men and women in the United States from 2005 to 2009, according to a report in this week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The study also found that lung cancer incidence rates went down 2.6 percent per year among men, from 87 to 78 cases per 100,000 men and 1.1 percent per year among women, from 57 to 54 cases per 100,000 women.

The fastest drop was among adults aged 35-44 years, decreasing 6.5 percent per year among men and 5.8 percent per year among women. Lung cancer incidence rates decreased more rapidly among men than among women in all age groups. Among adults aged 35-44 years, men had slightly lower rates of lung cancer incidence than women.

“These dramatic declines in the number of young adults with lung cancer show that tobacco prevention and control programs work – when they are applied,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in the United States. Most lung cancers are attributable to cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke. Because smoking behaviors among women are now similar to those among men, women are now experiencing the same risk of lung cancer as men.

“While it is encouraging that lung cancer incidence rates are dropping in the United States, one preventable cancer is one too many,” Dr. Frieden said. “Implementation of tobacco control strategies is needed to reduce smoking prevalence and the lung cancer it causes among men and women.”

In 2010, states appropriated only 2.4 percent of their tobacco revenues for tobacco control. An earlier CDC study showed that states vary widely in their success at reducing smoking – and in reducing new lung cancers.

In the new report, CDC used data from the National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program for the period 2005–2009 to assess lung cancer incidence rates and trends among men and women by age group.

Lung cancer incidence decreased among men in all U.S. Census regions and 23 states, and decreased among women in the South and West and seven states. Rates were stable in all other states. These declines reflect the successes of past tobacco prevention and control efforts.

The study indicates that continued attention to local, state, and national population-based tobacco prevention and control strategies are needed to achieve further reductions in smoking prevalence among both men and women of all ages to reduce subsequent lung cancer in the United States. Strategies proven to reduce tobacco use among youth and adults include increased tobacco prices, comprehensive smoke-free laws, restriction of tobacco advertising and promotion, and hard-hitting mass media and community engagement campaigns.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report linking cigarette smoking to lung cancer. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. Millions of Americans are living with a smoking-related disease, and each day more than 2,100 youth and young adults become daily smokers.

Tobacco, drug use in pregnancy can double risk of stillbirth

Smoking tobacco or marijuana, taking prescription painkillers, or using illegal drugs during pregnancy is associated with double or even triple the risk of stillbirth, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Researchers based their findings on measurements of the chemical byproducts of nicotine in maternal blood samples; and cannabis, prescription painkillers and other drugs in umbilical cords. Taking direct measurements provided more precise information than did previous studies of stillbirth and substance use that relied only on women’s self-reporting. The study findings appear in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

“Smoking is a known risk factor for stillbirth, but this analysis gives us a much clearer picture of the risks than before,” said senior author Uma M. Reddy, M.D. “Additionally, results from the latest findings also showed that likely exposure to secondhand smoke can elevate the risk of stillbirth.”

Dr. Reddy added, “With the legalization of marijuana in some states, it is especially important for pregnant women and health care providers to be aware that cannabis use can increase stillbirth risk.”

The study enrolled women between March 2006 and September 2008 in five geographically defined areas delivering at 59 hospitals participating in the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network . Women who experienced a stillbirth and those who gave birth to a live infant participated in the study. The researchers tested blood samples at delivery from the two groups of women and the umbilical cords from their deliveries to measure the exposure to the fetus. They also asked participants to self-report smoking and drug use during pregnancy.

Stillbirth occurs when a fetus dies at or after 20 weeks of gestation. While the U.S. stillbirth rate decreased from 18 per 1,000 births in 1950 to 6 per 1,000 births in 2006, it still remains higher than many other developed countries and affects almost 26,000 U.S. newborns per year.

The researchers tested the women’s blood for cotinine, a derivative of nicotine, and tested fetal umbilical cords for evidence of several types of drugs. They looked for evidence of the stimulants cocaine and amphetamine; prescription painkillers, such as morphine and codeine, and marijuana. These tests reflect exposure late in pregnancy. Among the women who had experienced a stillbirth, more than 80 percent showed no traces of cotinine and 93 percent tested negative for the other drugs. In comparison, about 90 percent of women who gave birth to a live infant tested tobacco-free and 96 percent tested negative for other drugs.

Based on the blood test results and women’s own responses, the researchers calculated the increased risk of stillbirth for each of the substances they examined:

• Tobacco use — 1.8 to 2.8 times greater risk of stillbirth, with the highest risk found among the heaviest smokers
• Marijuana use — 2.3 times greater risk of stillbirth
• Evidence of any stimulant, marijuana or prescription painkiller use — 2.2 times greater risk of stillbirth
• Passive exposure to tobacco — 2.1 times greater risk of stillbirth

The researchers noted that they could not entirely separate the effects of smoking tobacco from those of smoking marijuana.

Only a small number of women tested positive for prescription painkiller use, but there was a trend towards an association of these drugs with an elevated stillbirth risk.

“As about 1 in 20 members of the U.S. population over the age of 12 have used opioid pain relievers non-medically, this finding could affect many pregnant women and calls for more investigation,” said study co-author Marian Willinger, Ph.D., also of the NICHD.

Licorice Used as Medicine. Is it Safe???

Licorice is a plant. You are probably most familiar with it as a flavoring in foods, beverages, and tobacco. The root is used to make medicine. Licorice is used for various digestive system complaints including stomach ulcers, heartburn, colic, and ongoing inflammation of the lining of the stomach (chronic gastritis).

Some people use licorice for sore throat, bronchitis, cough, and infections caused by bacteria or viruses. Licorice is also used for osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), liver disorders, malaria, tuberculosis, food poisoning, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Licorice is sometimes used along with the herbs Panax ginseng and Bupleurum falcatum to improve the function of the adrenal glands, especially in people who have taken steroid drugs long-term. Steroids tend to suppress the activity of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce important hormones that regulate the body’s response to stress.

Licorice is also used in an herbal form called Shakuyaku-kanzo-to to increase fertility in women with a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome. In combination with other herbs, licorice is also used to treat prostate cancer and the skin disorder known as eczema.

Some people use licorice as a shampoo to reduce oiliness in their hair.

Many “licorice” products manufactured in the U.S. actually don't contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which has the characteristic smell and taste of “black licorice.”

Licorice interacts with many prescription medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider if you plan to start using licorice.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for LICORICE are as follows:

Possibly effective for...

• Heartburn (dyspepsia), when a combination of licorice and several other herbs is used. These other herbs are peppermint leaf, German chamomile, caraway, lemon balm, clown’s mustard plant, celandine, angelica, and milk thistle. The combination is packaged as a product called Iberogast or STW5. It was developed in 1961 in Germany. Research suggests that taking 1 mL orally three times daily over a period of 4 weeks significantly reduces severity of acid reflux and associated pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

• Muscle cramps. Preliminary clinical research suggests taking a specific combination of licorice and peony (Shakuyaku-kanzo-to) might reduce muscle cramps in people with liver disease (hepatic cirrhosis) or in people undergoing treatment for kidney failure (hemodialysis).
• Hepatitis. There is some evidence that some of the chemicals in licorice might be effective in treating hepatitis B and hepatitis C when given intravenously (by IV). But the studies involved too few patients to draw firm conclusions.
• Stomach ulcers. There is some evidence that specially prepared licorice will speed the healing of stomach ulcers.
• Weight loss. There is conflicting information about the use of licorice for weight loss. Licorice seems to reduce body fat. However, it causes water retention that can offset any change in body weight.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). There is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of licorice for treating eczema.
• Arthritis.
• Lupus.
• Infections.
• Infertility.
• Cough.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Prostate cancer.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of licorice for these uses.

The chemicals contained in licorice are thought to decrease swelling, thin mucus secretions, decrease cough, and increase the chemicals in our body that heal ulcers.

Are there safety concerns?

Licorice is LIKELY SAFE for most people when consumed in amounts found in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when consumed in larger amounts use as medicine, short-term. However, it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in large amounts for more than four weeks. Consuming 30 grams or more of licorice daily for several weeks can cause severe side effects including high blood pressure, low potassium in the blood, weakness, paralysis, and occasionally brain damage in otherwise healthy people. In people who eat a lot of salt or have heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, as little as 5 grams per day can cause these problems.

Other side effects of licorice use include tiredness, absence of a menstrual period in women, headache, water and sodium retention, and decreased sexual interest and function in men.

People who chew tobacco flavored with licorice might develop high blood pressure and other serious side effects.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is UNSAFE to take licorice by mouth if you are pregnant. It might cause a miscarriage or early delivery. Not enough is known about the safety of licorice during breast-feeding. Don’t use licorice if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

High blood pressure: Licorice can raise blood pressure. Don’t consume large amounts of it if you have high blood pressure.

Heart disease: Licorice can cause the body to store water, and this can make congestive heart failure worse. Licorice can also increase the risk of irregular heartbeat. Don’t consume licorice if you have heart disease.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Licorice might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use licorice.

A muscle condition caused by nerve problems (hypertonia): Licorice can cause the level of potassium to drop in the blood. This can make hypertonia worse. Avoid licorice if you have hypertonia.

Low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia): Licorice can lower potassium in the blood. If your potassium is already low, licorice might make it too low. Don’t use licorice if you have this condition.

Sexual problems in men: Licorice can lower a man’s interest in sex and also worsen erectile dysfunction (ED) by lowering levels of a hormone called testosterone.

Kidney disease: Overuse of licorice could make kidney disease worse. Don’t use it.

Surgery: Licorice might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop taking licorice at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Are there interactions with medications?

Major

Do not take this combination.

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. The body breaks down warfarin (Coumadin) to get rid of it. Licorice might increase the breakdown and decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin). Decreasing the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin) might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Large amounts of licorice can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).

Estrogens

Licorice seems to change hormone levels in the body. Taking licorice along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen pills.

Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.

Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)

Licorice can cause the body to get rid of potassium. Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) can also cause the body to get rid of potassium. Taking licorice and ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) together might cause potassium to become too low.

Furosemide (Lasix)

Licorice can cause the body to get rid of potassium. Furosemide (Lasix) can also cause the body to get rid of potassium. Taking licorice and furosemide together might cause the potassium levels in your body to go too low.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking licorice along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking licorice, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some of these medications changed by the liver include ketamine (Ketalar), phenobarbital, orphenadrine (Norflex), secobarbital (Seconal), dexamethasone (Decadron), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how the liver breaks down some medications. Taking licorice along with medications that are broken down by the liver might increase or decrease the effects of these medications. Before taking licorice, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), and warfarin (Coumadin).

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Licorice might change how the liver breaks down some medications. Taking licorice along with medications that are broken down by the liver might increase or decrease the effects of some medications. Before taking licorice, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Large amounts of licorice seem to increase blood pressure. By increasing blood pressure, licorice might decrease the effectiveness of medications for high blood pressure.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids)

Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Licorice might also decrease potassium in the body. Taking licorice along with some medications for inflammation might decrease potassium in the body too much.

Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs)

Large amounts of licorice can decrease potassium levels in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking licorice along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.

Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDIURIL, Microzide), and others.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

Herbs that affect the heart

Using too much licorice can decrease potassium in the body. This can damage the heart. Using licorice with herbs that can damage the heart might make this effect worse. Herbs that might damage the heart include digitalis, lily-of-the-valley, pheasant's eye, and squill.

Stimulant laxative herbs

Using too much licorice can decrease potassium in the body. Herbs that have a stimulant laxative effect can also lower potassium in the body. Using licorice along with these herbs can increase the risk of lowering potassium levels too much. Stimulant laxative herbs include aloe vera, alder buckthorn, European buckthorn, cascara sagrada, castor oil, rhubarb, and senna.

Are there interactions with foods?

Grapefruit juice

Drinking grapefruit juice when taking licorice might increase licorice's ability to cause potassium depletion.

Salt

Licorice use can increase sodium and water retention and increase blood pressure. Also, eating a lot of salt can make the side effects of licorice even worse.

What dose is used?

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For upset stomach: A specific combination product containing licorice (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) and several other herbs has been used in a dose of 1 mL three times daily.

Other names

Acide Glycyrrhizique, Acide Glycyrrhizinique, Alcacuz, Alcazuz, Bois Doux, Bois Sucré, Can Cao, Chinese Licorice, Deglycyrrhized Licorice, Gan Cao, Gan Zao, Glabra, Glycyrrhiza, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza glabra typica, Glycyrrhiza glabra violacea, Glycyrrhiza glabra glandulifera, Glycyrrhiza Radix, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhizae, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Glycyrrhizinic Acid, Isoflavone, Jethi-Madh, Kanzo, Lakritze, Licorice Root, Liquiritiae Radix, Liquirizia, Mulathi, Mulethi, Orozuz, Phytoestrogen, Phyto-œstrogène, Racine de Réglisse, Racine Douce, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Régalissse, Regaliz, Reglisse, Réglisse, Réglisse Déglycyrrhisée, Réglisse Espagnole, Réglisse Russe, Regliz, Russian Licorice, Spanish Licorice, Subholz, Sussholz, Sweet Root, Yashtimadhu, Yashti-Madhu, Yashti-Madhuka, Zhi Gan Cao.

Source National Institute of Health