The term Glycyrrhiza comes from the Greek glykys (“sweet”) and rhiza (“root”). There are two main forms popular in Chinese medicine.Licorice is 50 times sweeter than sucrose and table sugar. Glycyrrhizin is the chemical responsible for its sweetness. [ref] Over 60% of licorice production is used in tobacco products.
Licorice candy has very little, if any, licorice in it.Overdose of licorice (more than 100g) can lead to high blood pressure, muscle weakness, impaired breathing, heart papitations, and heart failure.[ref] Licorice Root is listed in the following pharmacopeias: German Commission E 1992 • Martindale Extra Pharmacopoeia 1972 • WHO 1999
Species
American Licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Chinese Licorice Glycyrrhiza uralensis, European Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra, Chinese Licorice Glycyrrhiza inflata (rarely used), Russian Licorice (Glycyrrhiza echinata)
Growth
Glycyrrhiza uralensis is NOT in the USDA Plant Database. Glycyrrhiza lepidota(American Licorice) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (European licorice) are both found in multiple states in the US.
USA: Glycyrrhiza uralensis is not found in the wild. American licorice is native, but rarely used commercially. G. Glabra and G. Uralensis are sweeter and more cultivated.
USDA Zones: 5-9
Native: China, Japan, Mongolia, Siberia
Habitats: Woodlands, meadows
Category: Tonify Qi
English: Honey Fried Licorice Pinyin: Zhi Gan Cao Pharmaceutical: Glycyrrhizae Radix Preparata
Organs: Heart • Pericardium • Kidney • Bladder • Small Intestine • Stomach • Spleen • Lung • Large Intestine • San Jiao • Liver • Gall Bladder Temperature: Warm
Taste: Sweet Toxicity:
Patterns:
Actions: Increase the effectiveness of Gan Cao, particularly with: Tonify middle • Tonify Heart and Spleen Qi • Harmonize other herbs
Indications: Coughing • Wheezing • Leg spasms • Abdominal spasms • Irregular pulse • Sores • Abscess • Shortness of breath • Loose stool • Irregular pulse • Qi and blood deficiency • Lassitude • Dry cough • Toxicity from herb, food, or drug
Zhi Gan Cao (honey fried): Ba Zhen Tang • Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang • Bai Hu Tang • Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang • Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang • Bao Yuan Tang • Bu Fei e Jiao Tang • Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang • Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang • Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang • chai Hu Shu Gan San • Da Ding Feng Zhu • Da Qing Long Tang • Da Ying Jian • Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San • Dang Gui di Huang Yin • Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang • Dang Gui Si Ni Tang • Diao Gan Tang • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang • e Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang • Er Chen Tang • Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang • Fu LingGui Zhi Gan Cao Da Zao Tang • Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan • Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang • Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang • Ge GenHuang LianHuang Qin Tang • Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang • Ge Gen Tang • Gui Pi Tang • Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Ge Gen Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang • Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang • Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang • Gui Zhi Tang • Hei Xiao Yao San • Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang • Huang Lian Tang • Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang • Huang Qin Tang • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San • Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang •Jia Wei Xiao Yao San • Ju Yuan Jian • Juan Bi Tang • Li Zhong Wan • Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang • Liu Jun Xi Tang • Ma Huang Tang • Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang • Ping Wei San • Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang • Ren ShenGe Jie San • Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang • San Jia Fu Mai Tang • Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang • Shen Ling Bai Zhu San • Sheng Hua Tang • Shen Jiang Xie Xin Tang • Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang • Shi Pi Yin • Shi Quan Da Bu Tang •Si Jun Zi Tang • Si Ni Jia Ren Shen Tang • Si Ni San • Si Ni Tang • Tao He Cheng Qi Tang • Tong Mai si Ni Tang • Tong You Tang • Wei Ling Tang • Wen Jing Tang • Wu Ji San • Wu Tou Tang • Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang • Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang • Xiang Su San • Xiao Chai Hu Tang • Xiao Ji Yin Zi • Xiao Jian Zhong Tang • Xiao Qing Long Tang • Xiao Yao San •Xie Bai San • Xin Yi San • Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang • Yan Hu Suo Tang • Yi Gong San • You Gui Yin • Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang • Zhi Gan Cao Tang • Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan • Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan • Zhu Sha An Shen Wan • Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang • Zi Xue Dan • Zuo Gui Yin
Variations for Zhi Gan Cao
Raw (dried) Gan Cao: This is a common form used in formulas and is the focus of this blog.
Zhi Gan Cao: honey fried Gan Cao. More effective than raw form in treating spasms and less effective in clearing heat and relieving food poisoning. (How to make) Zhi Gan Cao is used in 100+ Chinese formulas.
Gan Cao Shao: root tip – less used ingredient. Promotes urination, treat strangury, purge fire. It is sweet and cold. It enters the liver, heart and spleen channels. Decoct 1.5~4.5 g
Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Licorice is incompatible with pork, seaweed and chinese cabbage
Do not use if pregnant, it is an emmenagogue
Licorice is incompatible with multiple herbs (see potential drug interactions)
Licorice contains glycyrrhizinic acid, which can be dangerous if more than 100 grams are taken within 1 week. It can lead to high blood pressure and hormonal changes. [ref]
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs. Examples below:
Herbs: ♦ Incompatible: Gan Sui • Da Ji • Yuan Hua • Hai Zao ♦ Antidiabetic: Mei Gui Hua, Du Zhong, Dang Shen, HuoLong Guo, rougui, Celery, Chamomile, Moringa Tree, Basil, Ku Gua, Hibiscus, Gou Qi Zi, Ju Hua, Xia Ku Cao, Dang Gui, Zhi Mu, Shi gao, Xuan Shen, Cang Zhu, Shan yao, Huang Qi, Artichoke
Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts, variations may result from the numerous English translations. Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.
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