We all know licorice is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with significant efficacy for treating respiratory conditions. But what exactly is moxibustion with licorice? What are its benefits? Below, we introduce the effects of moxibustion with licorice and its potential side effects. Effects and Functions of Moxibustion with Licorice For moxibustion with licorice, raw licorice root is stir-fried with honey at a 100:25 ratio until golden brown. It is ready when it no longer sticks to paper.Honey-roasted licorice possesses a warm nature. Its sweet and warm properties aid the spleen, tonify the middle energizer, harmonize the stomach, alleviate urgency, and relieve pain. Modern research indicates licorice contains various chemical components such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, and licorice polysaccharides. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, regulates immune function, and demonstrates antitumor and analgesic properties.Experimental studies indicate that honey-fried licorice demonstrates superior anticonvulsant and analgesic effects compared to raw licorice. It also exhibits greater efficacy against barium chloride-induced cardiac arrhythmia in rats. Honey-frying raw licorice reduces glycyrrhizic acid content by 20%, thereby preventing pseudoaldosteronism associated with raw licorice.Concurrently, the content of glycyrrhizin slightly increases. Glycyrrhizin is the active component responsible for licorice's qi-tonifying effect. Modern pharmacological experiments confirm the therapeutic effects of the Four Gentlemen Decoction (composed of fried licorice, ginseng, white atractylodes, and poria) in tonifying the middle burner, benefiting qi, strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the stomach. This also provides pharmacological justification for the heavy use of fried licorice in Fried Licorice Decoction for treating arrhythmias.Experiments confirm that roasted licorice combined with white peony root can transform sourness into sweetness to nourish yin, exhibiting synergistic effects in alleviating urgency. The above pharmacological studies demonstrate that roasted licorice possesses distinct properties compared to raw licorice.
Water-roasted licorice is prepared by repeatedly dipping raw licorice in water and stir-frying it until dry, then re-dipping and re-frying multiple times until fully cooked.Water-roasted licorice is clinically selected for patients requiring prolonged raw licorice use for detoxification and purgation but with relatively deficient constitutions, to avoid excessive cold properties. It is also chosen for warming and tonifying the spleen and stomach in cases of epigastric and abdominal distension where honey-moistened preparations may cause greasy stagnation, ensuring tonification without greasiness.
Side Effects of Licorice
1. Excessive licorice consumption may cause elevated blood pressure, muscle weakness, increasing fatigue, headaches, and reduced testosterone levels in males.
2. Pregnant women should avoid licorice. Clinical evidence indicates excessive use during pregnancy can trigger heavy bleeding and, in severe cases, premature labor.
3. Long-term licorice use may cause abnormal weight gain.
4. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which, when elevated, impairs sodium excretion and increases potassium loss through urine. This can lead to muscle damage and elevated blood pressure. Potassium depletion also causes water retention, resulting in edema.
So, based on the above information about licorice's side effects, which groups should be cautious about using it?
As outlined above, individuals with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, pregnant women, those with sexual dysfunction, obesity, or issues with liver function and menstruation should avoid taking licorice.