Licorice (Gan Cao)
Licorice (Gan Cao)
A Sweet and Powerful Herbal Remedy
Licorice, also known as Gancao, is a sweet-tasting herb with a rich history and diverse applications in traditional Chinese medicine. This fascinating herb gained popularity through a tale of an herbalist's wife who, in her husband's absence, provided the sweet herb to patients, resulting in remarkable improvements in their health. Let's delve deeper into the world of licorice and discover its remarkable properties and applications.
The History of Licorice in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In a captivating story, an herbalist's wife, concerned for her husband's patients, decided to offer them a sweet herb while her husband was away. The herb proved effective, and the herbalist continued using it for patients upon his return, finding it particularly beneficial for low energy, cough, pain, and fatigue. The herb became known as "sweet herb" due to its pleasant taste.
Understanding Licorice (Gancao)
- Family: Leguminosae
- Chinese name: Sweet grass
- Scientific names: Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., and Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
- Pharmaceutical name: Radix Glycyrrhizae
- Part used: Root and tuberous root
- Dosage: 5g
- Flavor: Sweet
- Energy: Neutral
- Class: Herbs to correct deficiencies
- Meridians: Twelve meridians
Healing Actions of Licorice
Licorice is known to:
- Tone up the spleen
- Benefit energy
- Produce fluids
- Detoxify
- Harmonize various herbs
- Slow down the advancement of symptoms
Indications for Licorice Use
Licorice can be used for:
- Spleen and stomach weakness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Acute abdominal pain
- Carbuncles
- Swelling and poisoning
Modern Research on Licorice
Recent studies have demonstrated that licorice possesses five major effects:
- Liver protection
- Production of adrenocortical hormones
- Inhibition of influenza
- Effectiveness for leukemia
- Reduction of blood fat
Licorice, or Gancao, is a sweet-tasting, powerful herbal remedy with a rich history and diverse applications in traditional Chinese medicine. From toning the spleen to reducing blood fat, this versatile herb has proven its effectiveness time and time again. As modern research continues to reveal more about its potential health benefits, the popularity of licorice as a natural remedy is sure to grow.
