Chinese licorice (Gan Cao)

Indications for Chinese licorice in Chinese medicine

– Improves digestion: expectorant, improves insulin secretion, protects the liver from toxins.

– Antispasmodic and relaxing effect:

• Stomach spasms
• Muscle contractures, especially in the abdomen and legs.

– Anti-inflammatory properties, particularly soothing for :

• inflammation of the respiratory tract (lung and throat)
• chronic hepatitis
• inflammation of the colon
• chronic inflammation of the prostate
• chronic gastritis
• irritation

– Antitussive effect

– Antitoxic property in case of food poisoning

Properties according to Chinese medicine

• Harmonizes the stomach
• Tones spleen
• Moistens the lung and stops coughing
• Relieves pain
• Clarifies heat
• Eliminates toxicity

Instructions for use and dosage

Decoction :

Rinse the herbs in cold water, place 3g of Chinese licorice root in a saucepan and make a decoction in 250ml of water.

Do not use licorice for more than 6 weeks at a time. See other contraindications below.

Combinations

– For irritation and swelling due to infectious disease, mix with Japanese honeysuckle buds (Jin Yin Hua).
– For angina, pharyngitis or throat inflammation, mix with Jin Sang Zi tea and chinese mint.

Contraindication

– Not recommended for people with high blood pressure, edema or water retention.

– Taking aspirin and licorice at the same time may increase stomach irritation.

– Taking thiazide diuretics or loop diuretics at the same time increases the effects of Gan Cao. So do corticosteroids and the contraceptive pill. So do not take at the same time.

– Do not take if you are taking cardiotonic glycosides such as Digoxin, Hemigoxin Nativelle® or Lanoxin®.

– Avoid with products containing caffeine, nicotine or barbiturates.
– Do not use if you are allergic to plants in general, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.