Discover Licorice/ Liquorice (gan cao)

Did you know that liquorice root is about 50 times sweeter than sugar? Liquorice means “sweet root” , named by a Greek physician “Dioscorides”. Liquorice has been used around the world for thousands of years and is a very popular herb in Chinese medicine.
In Chinese medicine, liquorice is used for it’s ability to detoxify the body and increase energy. It has a special property of entering all 12 energy channels in the body, especially the lung, heart, stomach and spleen.

Liquorice root is good for

• Abdominal pain
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Palpitations
• Sore throats
• Stomach Ulcers
• Poisoning
• Coughs

The Chinese Herbal Description

Thermal qualities: raw dried (gan cao) is neutral, dry fried (zhi gan cao) is warm

Taste: Sweet in nature

Actions
• Nourishes spleen qi and augments qi
• Moistens lungs and stops cough
• Alleviates pain
• Clears heat and relieves fire toxicity
• Harmonizes formulas
• Acts as an antidote to toxicity

Dose: 2-12g No more than 3g per day if using daily

Cautions and Contraindications

Large doses can increase blood pressure, salt and water retention. Avoid combining with blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, diuretics and heart medication. Avoid with bloating, vomiting or digestive upset.
Always contact your healthcare provider about adding herbs to your daily regime.

Dr Paul Carter
Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Melbourne