The German magazine "Eltern" warned against taking pregnant women licorice, given the seriousness of the health of the fetus.
According to the family journal, licorice contains Glycyrrhizin, which affects the function of one of the placenta's enzymes, which protects the fetus from the stress hormone known as cortisol and is secreted by the mother's body.
The magazine added that exposure of the fetus to many of the hormone cortisol affects the development of the brain.
On the other hand, licorice is useful in other aspects, as previous studies have revealed that the materials extracted from the roots of licorice can heal from mouth ulcers.
Another study found that glacierazine extract from licorice root may be more effective than current treatments for acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
In contrast, the contamination of herbal medicines derived from these roots should be warned with fungal toxins that can lead to serious negative effects when they reach high levels.
This contamination comes during the production stages of herbal medicines before they reach people, including the collection, transport and storage stages, and their pollution increases, which are usually sold in unpopular markets in many countries.