Posted by Simus on September 6, 2004, at 2:14:01
In reply to Re: Licorice » Simus, posted by Larry Hoover on September 5, 2004, at 10:27:02
> > Kara and Larry,
> >
> > Well today around 6pm I FINALLY got up the courage to try the licorice after a couple of years. (I have become leary of taking anything since a few BAD reactions.) Well... At around 9pm I had a slice of pizza (late and not great supper). I wasn't feeling well, but I attributed it to waiting so long for supper. Within minutes I was running to the bathroom and my stomach violently returned my dinner. Then the diarrhea started. I was so miserable that I was contemplating going to the hospital. I called my family physician and told him I took licorice. He wasn't surprised with the reaction, and said that licorice is toxic to a lot of people. He told me to just ride it out for about 12-24 hours, and it will be out of my system and I will feel better (and to stick to liquids).
> >
> > I was just wondering if either of you have any thoughts on this.
> >
> > Simus
>
> Oh, most certainly, I do.
>
> Licorice is an accepted treatment for stomach upset. It is not known to cause it.
>
> Licorice can be toxic, if you take it for months on end. It causes pseudo-aldosteronism.
>
> I think there are two reasonable explanations for your experience.
> 1. Coincidence. You were going to be sick anyway.
> 2. Allergy. That is a possibility, but it would be exceedingly rare, and I'd have thought you'd know about that already, unless you seldom eat licorice.
>
> If you think you can bear the risk, try taking some on another day, with a meal.
>
> Challenge/rechallenge is an accepted way to consider coincidence as a possible explanation.
>
> LarLarry,
Wow! I was one sick puppy! I think that the only way I would ever try licorice again is possibly sipping on a tea on a full stomach. I know my medical doctor used the word "toxic", but an allergic reaction or sensitivity would probably be more believable. As far as history with it, I never did eat licorice candy. I hated the taste and the smell. So I wouldn't know if I was allergic to it. I don't even know if the candy is flavored with real licorice. It could be anise, or artifically flavored for all I know. Well, live and learn...
Simus
poster:Simus
thread:384584
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040901/msgs/386935.html