Licorice root / Zhi Gan Cao

性味

甘，平。

功效

为豆科甘草属植物甘草的根和根状茎。 主治脾胃虚弱，食少，腹痛便溏，劳倦发热，肺痿咳嗽，心悸，惊痫；生用，治咽喉肿痛，消化性溃疡，痈疽疮疡，解药毒及食物中毒。

经脉

入脾经、胃经、肺经。

注意禁忌

不宜与甘遂、大戟、芫花、海藻同用。

【食疗方】

甘草汤

做法：炙甘草2克，放入15～20毫升开水中泡服，每日1剂。一般服药7～15日，即可防止便秘复发。

Licorice root /Zhi Gan Cao/RADIX GLYCYRRHIZAE PREPARATA

Licorice root may have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Early research suggests that, as a result, it may ease upper respiratory infections, treat ulcers, and aid digestion, among other benefits.
It may:

• Aid diabetes. ... 
• Reduce menopause symptoms. ... 
• Boost weight loss. ... 
• Help treat hepatitis C.

Licorice contains more than 20 triterpenoids and nearly 300 flavonoids. Among them, two triterpenes, GL and GA have been reported to have antiviral effects. They can weaken virus activities by inhibiting virus gene expression and replication, reducing adhesion force and stress, and reducing HMGB1 binding to DNA.

Raw licorice root is considered cold and honey roasted licorice is more warming: “Decoct 3~10 g, raw material for heat-toxin relieving due to its slightly cold property; stir-baked with honey for tonifying qi, relieving cough, relieving spasm to alleviate pain.”

This product is a processed product of licorice. The taste is Gan, Ping [sweet and mild]. 

Effects: It is the root and rhizome of licorice, a plant belonging to the leguminous licorice genus. 

Indications: for spleen and stomach weakness, poor appetite, abdominal pain, loose stools, fatigue, fever, pulmonary dysfunction, cough, heart palpitations, epilepsy. Raw licorice has been used to treat throat swelling and pain, peptic ulcer, carbuncle sore, antidote to poison and food poisoning. Roasted licorices are helpful for diabetes. It enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung meridians. 

Cautions: It is not suitable to use with kansui, euphorbia, coriander, seaweed. It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in the middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage because it can induce retention of water and sodium and edema.

Diet Therapy 

Licorice Soup  

Ingredients: 

2 grams of roasted licorice, steep in 15-20 ml of boiling water, 

Use: 1 dose per day. Generally, taking the medicine for 7-15 days can prevent the recurrence of constipation.