The Effects and Functions of Raw Licorice
Licorice has a long history of medicinal use. Over two thousand years ago, the Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica already classified it as a superior herb. Southern Dynasties physician Tao Hongjing revered licorice as the "National Elder," stating: "This herb reigns supreme among all medicines; few classical formulas omit it."The title "National Elder" equates to "Imperial Tutor." The reason for elevating licorice to this status is explained by Li Shizhen in his Compendium of Materia Medica: "Among all herbs, licorice reigns supreme. It counters seventy-two types of milkstone toxins, neutralizes twelve hundred plant poisons, and harmonizes all medicinal ingredients—thus earning the title 'National Elder.'"
Licorice is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and enters all twelve meridians. Its pharmacological actions include detoxification, expectoration, pain relief, spasm resolution, and even anticancer effects. In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice fortifies the spleen and boosts qi, nourishes coughs and moistens the lungs, alleviates urgency and neutralizes toxins, and harmonizes all medicines. Clinical applications distinguish between "raw" and "honey-fried" preparations.Raw licorice primarily treats sore throat, painful abscesses and ulcers, gastrointestinal ulcers, and alleviates drug poisoning and food poisoning. Honey-fried licorice primarily addresses spleen and stomach deficiency, loose stools, fatigue, fever, cough, and palpitations.Western medical pharmacology has discovered that licorice preparations possess anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, thus serving primarily as a demulcent in Western clinical practice. It alleviates coughing, expels phlegm, and treats sore throats and laryngitis. Licorice or glycyrrhetinic acid exhibits deoxycorticosterone-like effects, demonstrating efficacy in chronic adrenal insufficiency.Licorice preparations promote gastric mucus formation and secretion, prolong epithelial cell lifespan, and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity, making them commonly used for chronic and duodenal ulcers. The flavonoids in licorice possess anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antacid effects. Licorice is also one of the primary ingredients in Ren Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine).
【Source】: Single-herb formula.
【Ingredients】: Raw licorice 3-5g, Platycodon root 5-10g.
【Preparation】: Steep in boiling water; use for gargling or oral ingestion.
【Characteristics of Licorice】: The root is cylindrical, 25-100 cm long, and 0.6-3.5 cm in diameter. The outer bark varies in tightness. The surface is reddish-brown or grayish-brown, featuring prominent longitudinal wrinkles, furrows, lenticels, and sparse fine root scars.The texture is firm. The cross-section shows slight fibrousness, yellowish-white in color, powdery, with a distinct cambium ring and radiating rays; some may have fissures. The rhizome is cylindrical with bud scars on the surface; the cross-section reveals pith in the center. It has a faint odor and a sweet, distinctive taste. The roots and rhizomes of puffed-fruit licorice are woody and robust, sometimes branched, with rough outer bark, mostly grayish-brown or grayish-brown in color.The texture is hard with abundant woody fibers and minimal powderiness. The rhizome bears numerous large adventitious buds. The roots and rhizomes of smooth-fruited licorice are relatively firm, sometimes branched, with smooth outer bark that is mostly grayish-brown and fine, inconspicuous lenticels.