Lauren78 Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Hello! I have noticed several people take licorice root for their POTS. I read the info on the main site, and am now interested. I was prescribed Florinef but can not take it. So the only thing I am on currently is sertraline (until my insurance will pick up the midodrine). Anyhow, I was wondering if licorice root would be a good alternative for me. Since it's a natural herbal supplement, I assume that if there is any reaction with it I can just stop taking it? Unlike the graded steps down you have to do with Florinef or any other steroid? Those of you who take it...do you find it really helps with the low blood pressure, and the resultant fast heart rate?How often do you take it? What dosages do you take it at?I have an appt with my cardio next week and would love to find out as much info as possible to take to him, and maybe this will be a route we will decide to take.Any info on your personal experiences with licorice root would be appreciated.Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lthomas521 Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I get licorice root teabags from the health food store. I've also used licorice extract. Either one works, as long as it has the glycyrrhizin in it. Don't get deglycyrrhizinated licorice. You would need the glycyrrhizin in order for licorice to have a Florinef-like effect. I usually have at least one or two cups a day. I take more if I'm having trouble with tachycardia.Here's a useful link that explains what licorice does:http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pat...l/licorice.htmlNotice that it causes low plasma concentrations of potassium. If you think about using licorice, talk with your doctor and make sure to monitor your potassium levels. If you use licorice, make sure to eat lots of potassium-rich foods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarfgirl Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 I took it for a while. It helped me, but not as much as the florinef did so I eventually went back to it. I remember very little about the dosage I took or how I got off of it. I do remember that you need to take some form of sugar with it to really get it into your system. I drank a glass of milk with mine. I'd highly recommend it if you think sodium reabsorption is an issue for you. lthomas, where do you get your extract? Finding a kind that wans't deglycyrrhizinated was such a pain, and part of the reason I went back to florinef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lthomas521 Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 I usually get it at a local, independently owned health food store. If they're out of it, I get it at Whole Foods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukkychrm42 Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 I started taking it about 2 weeks ago per doctor's orders. I take 10 drops three times per day. I have also been on Florinef and didn't do well on it, but I think it will take a while longer before I start noticing any effects. I haven't been able to monitor my BP closely lately, but I'd guess it's still low considering how lethargic I have been. I think the brand name is Creative Naturals or something like that, and it was $18 for a 20 day supply. It has some sugar in the base liquid, and I haven't seen any other specific instructions on taking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren78 Posted July 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 Thank you everyone who has posted...your info has really helped. Sorry I didn't thank you earlier...I have had a rough few days and haven't been on the boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarfgirl Posted July 9, 2007 Report Share Posted July 9, 2007 Doh! since my move I do all my shopping at a nice little hippie co-op down the street. It never even occured to me that they probably have licorice, or at the very least would order it for me. Thanks, lthomas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Getting friendly with the proprietors of small / specialist food stores is always helpful. Near my parent's house there is a really old fashioned "health food shop". When I was eating a dairy free diet they were great at ensuring they always had a stock of soya yoghurts, puddings and custard for me. Nowadays you can get most of those things in a good supermarket but just a few years ago they were really hard to find. They would also order in anything I needed like egg replacer and egg free mayonnaise (my sister's boyfriend comes to stay and he is properly allergic to cows milk and eggs).Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I started Licorice Root because I had no access to Florinef. Without another option, the Cardiologist agreed to try and it worked!It has slowly increased my blood pressure and helped with other symptoms such as chest discomfort/pain and problems to breath (no more since taking it).With regard to the pulse (heart rate), I cannot tell you if it can reduce it as I am taking a betablocker to reduce my heart rate and both treatments together are going great.As highlighted by others, take care with Licorice Root, because it can cause a reduction of Electrolytes. Be careful and get a blood test done from time to time to follow you up. (Best is to take it under a doctor?s prescription & follow up). Do not forget to check your blood pressure too. Love,Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren78 Posted July 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Hi everyone. Well my doctor isn't comfortable with licorice root since it's not a prescribed medicine and isn't FDA regulated since it's a supplement. They said if I want to do it, then it's on my own and they won't give me any dosage info. They pushed the florinef again stating I should try that. So I don't know what to do...I don't want the florinef, and would like to try the licorice root. I am just wondering if it's a good idea to try it without doctor supervision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa Posted July 19, 2007 Report Share Posted July 19, 2007 Hi LaurenI can tell you my own experience. My Cardiologist prescribed Florinef but because it is not sold where we live, we had to look for another option. I found Licorice Root mentioned on Dinet and suggested it to him, because I wanted him to agree first and get his supervision.Before our meeting, we surfed the Net (a lot) and got all the information on doses, etc. When we went back to the Cardiologist and suggested trying with Licorice Root he admitted that he had no idea about it (because it is not a medicine). Even though he said that it was a good idea to try as it was not a drug but more natural and we all thought it was worth trying.With regard to the supervision, I thought he would control my electrolytes and doses, but as he had no idea, he asked me for the information I found on the Net about it and agreed to try 3 times a day, following the dosis mentioned by other doctors on the Net.For the blood tests, the real supervision, he has told me to visit my GP and ask for the blood tests needed (the same as if I were taking Florinef), as well as the same precautions. After taking it for less than 1 month, I went to my GP and asked for a routine blood test + to check my electrolytes. I will go back in a few months to get it tested again... I hope this can be of any help,Love,Tessa Licorice Root Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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