Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions emphasize the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and messenger" roles, where herbs complement each other for optimal efficacy. Licorice often serves as the "assistant," acting as a "flavoring agent" for various herbs and is indispensable in formulas. Its mild nature allows it to harmonize with tonics, purgatives, cold-natured, warm-natured, and cool-natured herbs while moderating their properties.
Beyond harmonizing other herbs, licorice possesses significant medicinal properties itself. It can be used either raw or processed with honey (known as "roasted licorice"). Raw licorice is slightly cooling, while roasted licorice is slightly warming.Raw licorice treats sore throat and alleviates poisoning from drugs or food. Fried licorice addresses spleen-stomach deficiency, loss of appetite, abdominal pain with diarrhea, fatigue-induced fever, and cough with shortness of breath. Common methods of using licorice include: For spleen deficiency and loss of appetite: 5g licorice,Amomum villosum 5g, Aquilaria agallocha 5g, Citrus reticulata peel 5g, Pinellia ternata 10g, Codonopsis pilosula 10g, Atractylodes macrocephala 10g, Poria cocos 10g. Decoct in water and take once daily.
For insomnia, restlessness, and palpitations: Glycyrrhiza uralensis 3g, Acorus tatarinowii 3g. Decoct in water. Take once daily, divided into two doses.
For tonsillitis and sore throat: Grind licorice and Sophora root in a 1:3 ratio into a fine powder and mix thoroughly. Take 0.3–0.6g per dose, 3–4 times daily.
For infantile constipation: Steep 2–3g raw licorice in 15–20ml water. Take once daily; typically resolves in 7–15 days.
For minor burns or scalds: Apply a decoction of licorice mixed with honey externally.
For cracked hands and feet: Slice 50 grams of licorice and soak in 100 ml of 75% alcohol for 24 hours. Strain the liquid, add glycerin and water, mix, and apply to affected areas.
Of course, licorice isn't suitable for everyone, nor is more always better. Long-term, high-dose use may cause edema, elevated blood pressure, decreased blood potassium, abdominal distension, and poor appetite. Additionally, licorice contraindicates with seaweed, Euphorbia humifusa, Euphorbia, and Datura metel. Clinical formulators must exercise caution and never combine them.