Other Names: Adimaduram • Bekh-e-mahak • Bois doux • Kanpo • Lakritzenwurzel • Neekhiyu • Spanish licorice • Süssholzwurzel • Yashtimadhu Plant Family: Fabaceae
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 LicoriceGlycyrrhiza lepidota, Chinese LicoriceGlycyrrhiza uralensis, European LicoriceGlycyrrhiza glabra, Chinese LicoriceGlycyrrhiza 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: Licorice RootPinyin: Gan Cao Pharmaceutical: Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis
Organs: Heart • Lung • Spleen • Stomach (minor effects on all 12 organs) Temperature: Neutral
Taste: Sweet Toxicity: Overdose at 100 grams within 1 week - may lead to high blood pressure, palpitations, heart failure. See caution section.
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
Contraindications: High blood pressure • Low potassium • Seaweed • Medications: Gan Cao can interact with various medication. See Pharma Interaction section.
Gan Cao (dried): Ba Zheng San • Bai He Gu Jin Tang • Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang • Bao Chan Wu You Fang • Bao Yin Jian • Bu Dai Wan • Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San • Bamg er Bo Dpi Uam Famg • Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang • Chai Hu Qin g Gan Tang • Chen Xiang Jiang Qi Tang • Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San • Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan Da Yuan Yin • Da Huang Zhe Chong wan •Da Qin Jiao Tang • Dang Gui Yin Zi • Dao Chi Qing Xin Tang • Dao Chi San • Di Tan Tang • Ding Chuan Tang • E JiaoJi Zi Huang Tang • Fang Feng Tong Sheng San • Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang • Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang • Gan Mai Da Zao Tang • Ge GenHuang lianHuang Qin Tang • Ge Gen Jia Ban Xia Tang • Ge Gen Tang • Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang • Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin • Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang • Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang • Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang • Huang LianWen Dan Tang • Huang Long Tang • Huang Tu Tang • Hui Chun Dan • Jian Pi Wan • Jiao ai Tang • Jie Geng Tang • Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang • Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang • Li Yan Cha • Liang Ge San • Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang • Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang • Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang • Liu Yi San • Long Dan Xie Gan Tang • Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Xiao dou Tang • Mai Men Dong Tang • Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin • Ping Gan Kai Yu Zhi Xie Tang • Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin • Qing Fei Tang • Qing Gu San • Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang • Qing Wen Bai Du Yin • Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang • Ren Shen Bai Du San • Sang Ju Yin • Shao Yao Tang • Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang • Shi Wei Bai du San • Shi Wei San • Shu Jing Huo Xie Tang • Si Miao Yong an Tang • Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang • Suan Zao Ren Tang • Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang • Wan Dai Tang • Wen Pi Tang • Wen Dan Tang • Wen Jing Tang • Wu Hu Tang • Wu Ji San • Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin • Xiao Feng San • Xiao Ji Yin Zi • Xiao Xu Ming Tang • Xie Huang San • Xin Jia Huang Long Tang • Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin • Xing Su San • Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang • Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang • Yang He Tang • Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang • Yi Gan San • Yin Qiao San • Yue Bi Tang • Zai Zao San • Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang • Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang • Zhen Ren Huo Ming Yin • Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang • Zhi Sou San
Variations for 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.
Gan Cao is incompatible with pork, seaweed and chinese cabbage
Do not use if pregnant, it is an emmenagogue
Gan Cao is incompatible with multiple herbs (see potential drug interactions)
Long term use of Gan Cao may deplete the body's potassium [ref]
Gan Cao 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
Pharma Drugs:Medications: anti-diabetic , diuretic, high blood pressure, estrogen, diuretics, corticosteriods, wafarin • Grapefruit effect - check all biomedical drugs when taken formulas with this herb.
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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