The efficacy and effects of licorice and contraindications

Glycyrrhiza glabra is the "National Elder" of the Materia Medica, and it is the most frequently used drug in more than 700 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines in clinical use.

Tonifying the spleen and benefiting the qi

It is yellow in color, sweet in taste, and warm in temperature when roasted. It can be used for a variety of Qi deficiency symptoms, such as heart Qi deficiency, palpitation, pulse knot generation and weakness of the spleen and stomach. It is often used together with Dang Shen and Bai Zhu to tonify the spleen and benefit qi, such as with Bai Zhu, Fu Ling and Dang Shen, and is often used to treat qi deficiency and spleen weakness.

Clearing heat and removing toxins

Glycyrrhiza glabra is used in raw form to calm the qi, and it can relieve heart fire, so it has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying the toxin. Modern medicine has confirmed that licorice does have good detoxification function, and also proved that it can inhibit gastric acid secretion, thus it also has certain preventive and ameliorative effect on gastrointestinal ulcer disease.

Expectorant and cough relief

Licorice can be used for a variety of asthmatic coughs. The ancients have said that "no phlegm can make a cough" and "if the middle is not harmonized, phlegm and saliva will gather". Licorice harmonizes the middle and tonifies the earth, and when the spleen is healthy, the dampness will go away, and when the phlegm is eliminated, the cough will be stopped.

Harmonizing medicinal properties

Because licorice has a unique sweet taste and has the effect of moderating the properties of other medicinal flavors, it can play a role in harmonizing the properties of other medicinal flavors in compound prescriptions. In all kinds of prescriptions, licorice can make each medicine harmonize with each other without the disadvantage of competition, so the former people believe that it can "harmonize all the medicines", so that the different nature of the medicine to work in harmony.

Lowering cholesterol

Licorice can also lower cholesterol in patients with hypertension, and has analgesic and anticonvulsant properties.

Regulates hormone secretion

Licorice contains isoflavones, which means that it can produce estrogenic and/or anti-estrogenic effects. Therefore, this herb is believed to help regulate endocrine secretion and reduce premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms.

Antacid

Licorice has adrenocorticotropin-like effects, inhibits histamine-induced hyperproduction of gastric acid, and may act as an antacid and relieve smooth muscle spasm in the gut.

Balancing hormones in women

Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a hormone-like compound that helps balance the hormone levels in women's bodies and is therefore commonly used to treat the symptoms of menopause in women.

Contraindications to consumption

1. It is contraindicated for people with dampness, vomiting and edema. 2. Glycyrrhiza glabra should not be used together with Kyowa, Coriander, Gansui and seaweed. 3. Licorice should not be eaten with carp, otherwise it will be poisoned.

Usage

Clinical application is divided into raw licorice and roasted licorice. Raw licorice is mainly used for carbuncles and sores, gastrointestinal ulcers, swelling and lameness of the throat and food poisoning; roasted licorice is mainly used for loose stools, weakness and fever, reduced function of the spleen and stomach, cough and palpitation.

Licorice Apple Tea

Ingredients: 10 grams of licorice, 5 grams of coriander, 1 apple, and an appropriate amount of honey. Directions: Cut licorice, cilantro and apple separately, put them into a stew cup and fry over low heat, then add appropriate amount of honey to taste and serve.