Licorice is a very common Chinese herbal medicine, and honey is a popular nourishing food. So, can licorice be taken with honey?
Can Licorice be Taken with Honey?
Yes, it can.
Licorice has a sweet taste and a neutral nature. It has the effects of tonifying the spleen and replenishing qi, clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm and stopping coughing, and relieving pain. Honey has a sweet taste and a mild nature. It contains various nutrients such as sugars, vitamins, organic acids, minerals, and enzymes. It has the functions of nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and beautifying the skin. There is no obvious conflict in their medicinal properties, so licorice can be taken with honey.
The Benefits of Licorice Honey Water
Clear Heat and Stop Coughing
Licorice enters the lungs meridian and has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, resolving phlegm, and stopping coughing. Honey has a sweet taste and a mild nature. It has the functions of nourishing and moisturizing, clearing heat and detoxifying. Licorice honey water can clear lung heat, nourish lung yin, stop coughing, and dissolve phlegm. It can be used to alleviate cough and phlegm caused by heat syndrome.
Tonify the Spleen and Replenish Qi
Licorice also enters the spleen and stomach meridians and has the effect of tonifying the spleen and replenishing qi. It has certain auxiliary therapeutic effects on spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Honey has a mild medicinal nature and can also help tonify the spleen and stomach. Therefore, licorice honey water can tonify the spleen and replenish qi.
Moisten the Intestines and Promote Bowel Movements
The oligosaccharides in honey can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, maintain intestinal microflora balance, and have the functions of moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements. It is helpful for people with dry stools and frequent constipation.
Beauty and Skincare
Honey contains abundant inorganic salts and vitamins, which can help accelerate blood circulation and metabolism, making the skin moisturized and smooth.
Precautions for Drinking Licorice Honey Water
Do Not Take in Excessive Amounts
When taking licorice honey water, pay attention not to take too much licorice. Taking excessive amounts may cause side effects similar to adrenal corticosteroids, increase blood sodium levels, and increase potassium excretion. This may lead to edema, flaccid paralysis, and other discomforts. The general medicinal dosage of licorice is 2-10 grams.
Do Not Take for a Long Time
Do not take licorice honey water for a long time. Stop using it after the symptoms improve. Long-term use of licorice may cause hypocalcemia, calcium-related convulsions, adrenal cortex glomerulosa atrophy, and reduced adrenal cortex function, which may have adverse effects on the kidneys.
Who Should Not Drink Licorice Honey Water
Phlegm-dampness and Edema Patients
Licorice honey has a sweet taste and can promote phlegm production and edema formation. It may worsen the condition of patients with phlegm-dampness and edema.
Diabetic Patients
Licorice honey water contains a large amount of sugars, which may directly increase blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and cause symptoms such as palpitations, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Patients with Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao
Honey has a sticky texture. It is not suitable for people with dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach. Otherwise, it may worsen symptoms such as sticky stools and heavy sensations in the head and body.
Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
The active ingredients in honey water may worsen liver fibrosis and exacerbate the condition of patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, it is not recommended for patients with liver cirrhosis to drink licorice honey water.
What Should Not be Taken with Licorice
Seaweed, Gan Sui (Euphorbia kansui), Daphne genkwa, and Euphorbia fischeriana.
In the "Eighteen Incompatible Medicines" in traditional Chinese medicine, it is mentioned that seaweed, Gan Sui, Daphne genkwa, and Euphorbia fischeriana have opposite medicinal properties to licorice. When taken together with licorice, they may produce toxic side effects, which are not conducive to health.
What Should Not be Taken with Honey
1. Soy milk. The organic acids in honey and the proteins in soy milk can form denatured precipitates, which are difficult to be digested and absorbed by the human body and may affect the nutritional value of honey and soy milk.
2. Scallions. If the sulfur-containing amino acids in scallions encounter organic acids and enzymes in honey, they will produce toxic substances. Eating scallions and honey together may stimulate the stomach and cause diarrhea.
3. Tofu. The enzymes in honey and the proteins and minerals in tofu combine, which can affect the biochemical reactions in the body and are not easily digested and absorbed by the human body. Moreover, both tofu and honey are cool in nature. Taking them together may cause diarrhea.
4. Chinese chives. The minerals in honey can oxidize and degrade the vitamin C in Chinese chives, reducing the nutritional value of Chinese chives.
