Use of liquorice (Gan Cao) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities, wash, soak in water, cut thick slices, dry.
Dosage: 2 - 10g
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which liquorice may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Palpitations
Coughing
Spasmodic pain
Abcesses
Sore throat
Sputum
Abdominal pain
Contraindications*: Licorice should not be used when there is Excess Dampness, nausea or vomiting and generally should be used with caution by those who tend to retain water.
People with heart conditions or high blood pressure should avoid ingesting large amounts of liquorice as it can increase blood pressure.
Prolonged use (6 weeks) of excessive doses (50g/day) can lead to pseudoaldosteronism.
Common TCM formulas in which liquorice (Gan Cao) are used*
Gan Cao is a king ingredient in Gui Pi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Gui Pi Tang, Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and augments the Qi.
Together with the 3 other key herbs in this formula it has a strong tonifying effect on the Spleen, which enables it to generate Blood.
Read more about Gui Pi Tang
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Gan Cao is sweet and warm and tonify the Qi of the Middle Burner.
Read more about Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Bi Yu San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Bi Yu San, Gan Cao harmonizes the Middle Burner and has a mild ability to clear Heat and resolve toxicity.
Together with Talc, they not only promotes urination, but also generates Body Fluids, thereby enabling the formula to perform its tasks without injuring the Qi or Body Fluids.
Read more about Bi Yu San
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Liu Yi San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Liu Yi San, Gan Cao harmonizes the middle and has a mild ability to clear Heat and resolve toxicity. Its combination with Talc (Hua Shi) not only promotes urination, but also generates Fluids, thereby enabling the formula to perform its tasks without injuring the Qi or body Fluids.
Read more about Liu Yi San
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, Gan Cao helps Ginseng tonify the Qi and harmonize all ingredients.
Read more about Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Ju Yuan Jian. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ju Yuan Jian, Gan Cao is sweet and warm and tonify the Qi of the Middle Burner.
Read more about Ju Yuan Jian
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and, when combined with White peony roots (as is the case here), helps reduce the spasms that are often a symptoms for patients that use this formula.
Read more about Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Yao San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xiao Yao San, Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and, when combined with White peony roots (as is the case here), helps reduce the spasms that are often a symptoms for patients that use this formula.
Read more about Xiao Yao San
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, Gan Cao helps tonify the Spleen.
Read more about Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Er Chen Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Er Chen Tang, Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen.
Read more about Er Chen Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Chai Hu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Da Qing Long Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Da Qing Long Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang, Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen
Read more about Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, Gan Cao resolves toxicity, improves the condition of the throat, and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
Read more about Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Ba Zhen Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ba Zhen Tang, Gan Cao supplies Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Read more about Ba Zhen Tang
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Mai Men Dong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Mai Men Dong Tang, Gan Cao it has a relatively strong action in tonifying the Stomach. It can also improves the throat issue often encountered by patients who suffer from the patterns solved by this formula.
Read more about Mai Men Dong Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Si Jun Zi Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Si Jun Zi Tang, Gan Cao warms and regulates the Middle Burner and moderates the draining property of Poria-cocos mushrooms.
Read more about Si Jun Zi Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Liu Jun Zi Tang, Gan Cao warms and regulates the Middle Burner and moderates the draining property of Poria-cocos mushrooms.
Read more about Liu Jun Zi Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Chai Hu Shu Gan San. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Gan Cao is used as an envoy to harmonize the various actions of the other herbs.
Read more about Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Tao He Cheng Qi Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, Gan Cao protects the Stomach and the Middle Burner by moderating the detrimental effects of the other ingredients in this formula.
Read more about Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Bai He Gu Jin Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Bai He Gu Jin Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and, in combination with Platycodon root (Jie Geng), improves the status of the throat.
Read more about Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and mildly regulates the functions of the Middle-Burner
Read more about Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Ding Chuan Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Ding Chuan Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients in the formula.
Read more about Ding Chuan Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and regulates the functions of the Middle Burner.
Read more about Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Juan Bi Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Juan Bi Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the functions of the other herbs.
Read more about Juan Bi Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, Gan Cao tonifies the middle Qi and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
Read more about Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the Middle Burner and the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
Read more about Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, Gan Cao helps the assistant herbs tonify the middle Qi and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
Read more about Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Xiao Qing Long Tang, Gan Cao augments the Qi and harmonizes the interaction of the other herbs.
Read more about Xiao Qing Long Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Gan Cao harmonizes the Middle Burner and regulate the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
Read more about Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Zuo Gui Yin. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Zuo Gui Yin, Gan Cao harmonizes all ingredients.
Read more about Zuo Gui Yin
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Ba Zheng San. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Ba Zheng San, Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of all ingredients and relieves the abdominal pain. The combination of Liquorice and talc also assist to ease irritability.
Read more about Ba Zheng San
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Wan Dai Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Wan Dai Tang, Gan Cao assists the chief herbs in tonifying the Middle Burner and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
Read more about Wan Dai Tang
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Gan Cao regulates and harmonizes all ingredients.
Read more about Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
In Wu Yao Tang, Gan Cao is sweet, cool and relaxing. It serves as envoy to moderate the acrid and warming actions of the other herbs and harmonizes the diverse functions of the various ingredients.
Read more about Wu Yao Tang
Key TCM concepts behind liquorice (Gan Cao)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), liquorice are plants that belong to the 'Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Qi tonics are typically sweet and they tend to enter the Spleen and Lungs because these Organs are most involved with the production of Qi.
Furthermore liquorice are plants that are Neutral in nature. This means that liquorice typically don't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of liquorice means that you don't have to worry about that!
Liquorice also taste Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like liquorice tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such liquorice are thought to target the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to regulating Blood flow, the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.
Research on liquorice (Gan Cao)
In vivo and clinical studies have reported beneficial effects of both licorice and glycyrrhizin consumption including anti-ulcer, anti-viral, and hepatoprotective responses.1
Flavonoids extracted from Glycyrrhiza uralensis may have a potential antidepressant-like effect for chronic variable stress induced depression2
Sources:
1. Isbrucker RA, Burdock GA. ( 2006). Risk and safety assessment on the consumption of Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza sp.), its extract and powder as a food ingredient, with emphasis on the pharmacology and toxicology of glycyrrhizin. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. , 46(3):167-92. Epub 2006 Aug 1.
2.Z Zhao, W Wang, H Guo, D Zhou. (2008). Antidepressant-like effect of liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis in chronic variable stress induced depression model rats. Behavioural brain research, Elsevier
Use of liquorice (Gan Cao) as food
Liquorice are also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Liquorice creme brulee or Licorice Caramel Candy.
