Does Licorice Tea Have Caffeine? 0 mg in Pure Tea
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Say you’re sensitive to caffeine or preparing for sleep and want a warm, naturally sweet herbal tea. Choosing licorice tea can give you that without caffeine’s stimulation.
Licorice tea, made from licorice root rather than tea leaves, is naturally caffeine-free. However, blends labeled licorice tea may include caffeinated ingredients, so reading labels is key.
Licorice Tea Does Not Contain Caffeine
Licorice tea does not contain caffeine. It is made from the root of the licorice plant, which naturally lacks caffeine. This makes it a suitable option if you want to avoid caffeine but still enjoy a warm, flavorful beverage.
This means if you brew tea using only dried licorice root, your cup will have 0 mg of caffeine. However, licorice tea blends sometimes combine licorice with other plants like black tea, green tea, or yerba mate, which do contain caffeine. The caffeine content in these blends depends on the added ingredients, not the licorice root itself.
True teas like black, green, and white teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant and always contain caffeine in varying amounts. Herbal infusions, including pure licorice tea, chamomile, and peppermint, are caffeine-free because they are made from herbs, roots, flowers, or other plants that don’t naturally produce caffeine.
| Drink | Caffeine per 8 oz (mg) |
|---|---|
| Pure Licorice Root Tea | 0 |
| Black Tea | 40-70 |
| Green Tea | 20-45 |
| Chamomile Tea | 0 |
| Peppermint Tea | 0 |
Caffeine Levels in Licorice Tea Compared to Other Drinks
Licorice tea contains no caffeine, unlike black or green teas that typically have about 30 to 50 mg per 8 oz cup. Even herbal teas like yerba mate or guayusa have caffeine, but licorice tea is naturally free of it. This difference matters if you need to limit caffeine for health reasons or medication interactions.
By contrast, black tea typically contains 40 to 70 mg of caffeine per 8 oz serving, and green tea ranges from 20 to 45 mg. Popular herbal teas like chamomile and peppermint also have no caffeine, similar to licorice root tea.
| Drink | Typical Caffeine per 8 oz (mg) |
|---|---|
| Pure Licorice Root Tea | 0 |
| Black Tea | 40-70 |
| Green Tea | 20-45 |
| Chamomile Tea | 0 |
| Peppermint Tea | 0 |
| Drink | Caffeine per serving | Servings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 oz Pure Licorice Root Tea | 0 mg | 3 | 0 mg |
| 8 oz Black Tea | 55 mg | 2 | 110 mg |
| 8 oz Green Tea | 35 mg | 1 | 35 mg |
| Total | 145 mg | ||
| Daily limit for most healthy adults (400 mg) | 36% | ||
If you need to limit caffeine intake, pure licorice tea is a safe choice because even steeping it longer or using hotter water won’t increase caffeine content. If you drink licorice blends, check the label to see whether caffeinated teas or herbs are included, as that will affect your total caffeine.
If you’re curious about caffeine in other herbal teas, most are naturally caffeine-free, but some blends may include mate or guayusa leaves that add caffeine. Always check labels carefully.
Reasons to Limit Licorice Tea Intake
Licorice tea should be limited mainly due to its glycyrrhizin content, which can raise blood pressure and cause potassium loss if consumed in large amounts. People with high blood pressure, heart problems, or kidney disease should be cautious. Drinking about 4 oz (half a cup) a day is generally safe for most adults, but higher amounts can lead to side effects over time.
People with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart conditions should limit or avoid licorice tea because glycyrrhizin can cause sodium retention and potassium loss, worsening these issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding people also need to be cautious, as high glycyrrhizin intake may increase risks during pregnancy.
Licorice interacts with some medications, including blood pressure drugs, diuretics, and corticosteroids. These interactions can amplify side effects like swelling, muscle weakness, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Moderation is key: keep licorice tea to about 1 to 2 cups (8 oz each) per day. Drinking more for prolonged periods raises the risk of unwanted effects due to glycyrrhizin buildup.
Caffeine & Sugar Drink GuideKnow exactly how much caffeine, sugar and sodium is in 150+ popular drinks, and set daily limits that fit you.Caffeine and sugar in 150+ drinksDaily limits, smart swaps and a cut-back planDaily caffeine and sugar calculator (Excel)How to Choose and Brew Licorice Tea Safely
Choose licorice tea products that list only licorice root as the ingredient to avoid added caffeine or other stimulants. Brewing it for 5 to 10 minutes extracts the flavor without bitterness. If you have health concerns, check the package for warnings and consult your healthcare provider before regular use.
Popular brands like Pukka Three Licorice contain additional herbs and may have trace caffeine, so check the ingredients if avoiding caffeine strictly. Amsterdam licorice teas labeled “licorice root” are typically caffeine-free but verify the packaging.
Glycyrrhizin levels vary between products and batches, so limit yourself to a few cups daily to avoid excess intake.
