Licorice tablets are commonly used medicine in our daily life. They can be taken orally as a decoction or directly soaked in water to drink. It is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine. Now let's take a look at the benefits of drinking licorice water!
Benefits of Drinking Licorice Water
1. Clear Heat and Detoxify
Drinking licorice water is particularly suitable during the summer when many people experience symptoms of heat and thirst. Taking licorice can effectively clear heat and detoxify the body.
2. Tonify the Spleen and Invigorate Qi
Drinking licorice water can promote kidney health and also ensure the health of the spleen and stomach. It can effectively improve symptoms of spleen and stomach weakness, as well as alleviate lower back and abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is generally suitable for maintaining a healthy body condition.
3. Beauty and Nourishing
Drinking licorice water has the effect of beauty and nourishing. It can quickly eliminate toxins from the body and keep the body in the best condition.
The Harm of Drinking Licorice Water
1. Some people may experience symptoms such as cold sweat, diarrhea, restlessness, or fatigue after taking licorice water. If you experience such symptoms, you must stop taking it immediately, as it may cause great harm to your body.
2. In addition, excessive intake of licorice can easily cause harm to the body. Therefore, when using licorice to soak in water, you must pay attention to controlling the amount. Otherwise, taking it may cause abnormal conditions such as difficulty breathing or exhaustion.
3. Some unscrupulous merchants sell licorice fumigated with sulfur, which is known to be harmful to the body and has no benefits when taken orally.
Side Effects of Licorice Tablets
1. The main ingredient of licorice tablets is licorice extract powder, which has a good effect on moisturizing the lungs, relieving cough, and eliminating phlegm, but it is not suitable for long-term use.
2. Licorice tablets contain opium powder, which acts as a central cough suppressant. Although the content is relatively low, long-term and large-scale use may lead to addiction. Once the medication is stopped, patients may experience frequent yawning, cold sweat, runny nose, restlessness, and other symptoms. It often takes 2 to 3 months to completely get rid of these symptoms. It is generally recommended to take licorice tablets intermittently.
3. The licorice component in licorice tablets has the function of internal rinsing of the throat. Long-term use may lead to gastric ulcer, so it is recommended to take them after meals to reduce irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.
4. In addition, the opium component in licorice tablets can cause side effects such as vomiting, nausea, constipation, and even water and sodium retention, leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, it is best for patients with hypertension not to take licorice tablets.
