Turkish pepper (extra hot)

A 38 year old female office worker was admitted with a newly discovered blo od pressure of 250/110 mm Hg. Evaluation for secondary forms of hypertensio n was negative and treatment was begun. Sodium excretion was markedly reduc ed, plasma aldosterone was normal, and plasma renin activity was low. There fore, presence of an aldosterone-like activity was suspected. Eventually, t he patient confessed to abusing "Turkish Pepper", a brand of Scandinavian l iquorice candies and "Fisherman's Friend", another brand of liquorice candi es, concurrently. After eliminating liquorice from her diet, the hypertensi on disappeared thus allowing her antihypertensive treatment to be stopped.