Thanks to Johan's posts below, I did some research on licorice and testosterone, and it looks like licorice (glycyrrhizic acid) may indeed lower testosterone levels in men and women--at least a little. For obvious reasons, guys might not want to mess with their testosterone levels but I thought those of feminine persuasion here might be interested in this study I found on Medline:
Steroids 2004 Oct-Nov;69(11-12):763-6AA AA (ISSN: 0039-128X)Armanini D; Mattarello MJ; Fiore C; Bonanni G; Scaroni C; Sartorato P; Palermo M
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-Endocrinology, University of Padua, Via Ospedale 105, 35100 Padua, Italy. [email protected].
Licorice has been considered a medicinal plant for thousands of years. The most common side effect is hypokalemic hypertension, which is secondary to a block of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 at the level of the kidney, leading to an enhanced mineralocorticoid effect of cortisol. We have investigated the effect of licorice on androgen metabolism in nine healthy women 22-26 years old, in the luteal phase of the cycle. They were given 3.5 g of a commercial preparation of licorice (containing 7.6% W.W. of ) daily for two cycles. They were not on any other treatment. Plasma renin activity, serum adrenal and gonadal androgens, aldosterone, and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Total serum testosterone decreased from 27.8+/-8.2 to 19.0+/-9.4 in the first month and to 17.5+/-6.4 ng/dL in the second month of therapy (p <0.05). It returned to pre-treatment levels after discontinuation. Androstenedione, 17OH-progesterone, and LH levels did not change significantly during treatment. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone were depressed during therapy, while blood pressure and cortisol remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Licorice can reduce serum testosterone probably due to the block of 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17-20 lyase. Licorice could be considered an adjuvant therapy of hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome.
I can understand your concerns. However our Health Institution claims 4-6 cups is safe to drink. Our National Candy called 'drop' exist for 50% of glycyrrhizic acid.
like licorice (glycyrrhizic acid) may indeed lower testosterone levels in men and women--at least a little.
You could try it 1 day (4 cups spread evenly). Then the word little can be erased
The Dutch researched showed (short-term) that after 3 days the testosterone levels went back to normal. Women already lower their hormone levels (testosterone included) during the many years taking the pill.
yep i think this research is more geared towards men, us women have the pill etc.
A commen misconception is that bigger blokes ie those with lots of muscle have high testosterone, they actually have lower. Testosterone causes blokes to be thinner and is well know for causing acne. My brother is a good example. He works at a gym and therefore is in there alot building his muscle, but he never gets that big. He also has mild acne and a deep voice aswel as being tall. A naturally bigger bloke although will have to work at the gym to make fat into muscle will genrally have less testosterone than.
The key is oestrogen boys.
yep i think this research is more geared towards men, us women have the pill etc.
A commen misconception is that bigger blokes ie those with lots of muscle have high testosterone, they actually have lower. Testosterone causes blokes to be thinner and is well know for causing acne. My brother is a good example. He works at a gym and therefore is in there alot building his muscle, but he never gets that big. He also has mild acne and a deep voice aswel as being tall. A naturally bigger bloke although will have to work at the gym to make fat into muscle will genrally have less testosterone than.
The key is oestrogen boys.
I don't want to sound like a jerk - but that's pretty much completely wrong 
It sounds like an urban legend or something to me. Higher levels of testosterone will certainly give you more muscle - people inject testosterone (IE steriods) to get bigger and stronger. And it works great.
And fat never turns into muscle.
Er, that's what I've always heard - maybe I'm wrong......
