Licorice root, also known as Gan Cao and Radix Glycyrrhizae, is one of well-known herbs primarily used as a harmonizer in Chinese herbal formulas. By contract, western clinical medicine uses it more as a moderator thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antacid effects. In fact, this herb has long been used as medicine in ancient China since 2,000 years ago, which was recorded in the oldest herbology classic of "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic" and listed as one of the superior drugs there. In addition, it was highly regarded as "the Teacher of Emperors" in the kingdom of herbs by Tao Hongjing, a famous physician in the Southern Dynasties (420-589). However, the most pertinent review about licorice comes from Li Shizhen, the writer of "Compendium of Materia Medica", in which he said:" Licorice herb, as the monarch drug in prescriptions, inhibits the toxicities from 72 minerals and 1,200 grass and trees. As a result, it is revered as the Emperor's Teacher for the credit of reconciling the rest herbs." So, is licorice root safe? What is licorice root good for? These are good questions, but apparently it needs to answer the following one in the first place.

LICORICE ROOT BENEFITS
This is not only one of the most common Chinese herbs, but also an indispensable one in many herbal formulas. This is simply because it is able to harmonize the efficacies of a variety of other herbs. However, the health benefits of licorice are far from that. Today, its ready-made products, including licorice root tea, chew sticks, extract, powder, supplement, are so popular. Western Pharmacology found that licorice has the anti-inflammatory and antiallergic functions.

POPULAR HERBAL REMEDIES ON LICORICE ROOT
It is viewed as sweet in flavor and neutral in properties by practitioners of TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine). And it covers meridians of heart, lung, spleen, and stomach. Prime functions are invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing qi, relieving urgency and stopping pain, moistening lung to arrest cough, purging fire for removing toxin, and coordinating the drug actions of a prescription. Key dried licorice root uses include lassitude and reduced appetite, emaciation with sallow complexion, palpitations and short of breath, abdominal pain and loose stools, pain and hypertonicity of the limbs, hysteria, cough and Asthma, sore throat, skin ulcer, congenital disease, drug and food poisoning, and more. Recommended licorice root dosage is from 2 to 6 grams in decoction when used for moderating the property of herbs, about 10 gram when used as main herb of formula, and 30 to 60 grams in the case of poisoning.

Licorice Root

1. Zhi Gan Cao Tang. This prescription comes from On Cold Damage.
It is basically formulated for palpitation and irregular pulse due to qi-blood deficiency. Other major herbal ingredients are Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), and so on;

2. Fu Ling Gan Cao Tang.
It is from On Cold Damage. This formula is primarily designed for palpitation due to fluid retention, difficult urination, up-rushing gas syndrome, and more. The rest major herbs are Fu Ling (Poria), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome);

3. Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang.
It comes from Shang Han Lun. This prescription is principally used for relieving and eliminating mass. Other vital herbs include Huang Qin (Baical Skullcap Root), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger Root), Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome), and more.

4. Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang.
This formula, herbal licorice combining with Shao Yao (Peony Root), comes from Shang Han Lun (On Cold Damage) and mainly used for abdominal spasm and pain due to the combination of liver-yang hyperactivity and spleen deficiency and limb spasm and pain caused by yin-blood deficiency;

5. Lig-zhi ku-shen and gan-cao herbal combo.
As its name implied, this formula consists of three mentioned herbs – Ling-Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), Gan-Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), and Ku-Shen (Sophora flavescens). The efficacy of this formula being an ideal substitute of prednisone has been testified by both testing conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and at Weifan Asthma Hospital located in China. More importantly, this combo has no side effects at all;