Liquorice and Salivary Cortisol

Effects of Liquorice on Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone

Salivary cortisol is used as a diagnostic analysis in the investigation of suspected Cushings' syndrome. This study evaluates if liqourice intake increases salivary cortisol in healthy individuals. Late night salivary cortisol and cortisone is analysed before, during and after 7 days of liqourice intake in three different doses.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women 18-65 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known pituitary or adrenal disease
• Medication with glucocorticoids (incl. inhalation, nasal, dermal)
• Known hypertension or blood pressure >140/90 at screening
• tobacco use
• Subjective problems in oral mucosa or saliva
• Abnormal diurnal rhythm (awake 03:00 - 05:30)
• Difficulties taking liqourice for 3 weeks or refraining from liqourice during 4 weeks