WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

This medicinal is the dried root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Glycyrrhiza inflate Bat. Or G glabra L.(Fam. Leguminsosae). It is collected in spring and autumn. The one excavated in autumn is of the best quality. After removal of rootlets, it is dried by sunlight and sliced into thick pieces. It is utilized both in its raw and honey-baked form.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Sweet, neutral; relate to heart, lung, spleen and stomach meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Tonify spleen and replenish qi; dispel phlegm and arrest cough; relieve spasm and pain; clear heat and relieve toxicity; harmonize all medicinals.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Spleen qi deficiency syndrome      Due to its mild efficacy, it is often used as an adjuvant medicinal with Renshen and Baizhu in treating spleen qi deficiency syndrome.

2. Heart qi insufficient syndrome, palpations with intermittent and knotted pulse in cold-induced  diseases, there appear palpations with intermittent and knotted pulse due to insufficient heart qi. For these symptoms, it isused alone. For those due to deficiency of both qi and blood, it is combined with Renshen and Ejiao, as in the Zhigancao Decoction.

3. Cough and dyspnea         For cough and dyspnea due  to the invasion of wind-cold into the lung, it is used in combination with Mahuang and Kuxiangren, as in the San'ao Decoction; for that due to lung heart, with Shigao and Mahuang, as in the Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction.

4. Spasm  in the abdomen and extremities       For spasm in the abdomen due to spleen insufficiency with liver hyperactivity, it is prescribed with Guizhi and Baishao, as in the Xiaojianzhong Decoction. For muscular spasms in the extremities due to in sufficiency of Yin-blood, it is used in combination with Baishao, as in the Shaoyao Gancao Decoction.

5. Heat-toxin with ulcers, sore throat; medicinal or food poisoning      For ulcers due to heat-toxin, it is combined with Diding and Lianqiao; for sore throat, with Banlangen and Jiegeng. Also, it has a degress of detoxification for food or medicinal poisoning.

6. Moderating the properties of medicinals      It may exert its moderating action when used with other mediicnals in many prescriptions. For example, when used with Fuzi and Ganjiang, it may decrease their heat property and avoid damage to yin. When used with Zhimu and Shigao, it may decrease their cold property and avoid damage to the stomach; when used with Dahuang and Mangxiao, it may decrease their purgative action and avoid drastic purgation. It may moderate the tonifying action of Dangshen, Baizhu, Shudihuang and Danggui and produce a milder and long-lasting efficacy. In addition, it can harmonize the actions of cool-natured or hot-natured medicinals, such as, Banxia, Ganjiang, Huanglian and Huangqin. Due to its strongly sweet taste, it can rectify the tastes of decoction.

[ Usage and Dosage ]:1.5-9g. The unprocessed form is slightly cool and has the function of clearing  heat and relieving toxicity. The honey-baked form is slightly warm and has superior effect to tonify the heart qi and spleen qi, as well as , nourish the lung to arrest cough.

[ Precautions ]: It is incompatible with Jingdaji, Yuanhua and Gansui. It is not recommended for cases of excessive dampness with abdominal distention and edema, for it can cause excessive dampness and qi obstruction. Prolonged administration of large doses of Gancao may cause edema due to retention of water and sodium.

[ Side Effects ]: About 20% patients receiving oral administration of Gancao in large doses or chronic administration in small dosage, may develop edema, weakness, spasm and numbness in the extremities, vertigo, headache, hypertension and hypokalemia. The aged and those with cardiovascular or renal disorders are susceptible to hypertension and congestive heart disease. For non-breast feeding women, chronic administration of glycyrrhizin can induce lactation.

 甘草为豆科植物甘草Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.、胀果甘草G.inflata Bat.、或光果甘草G.glabra L.的根及根茎。主产于内蒙古、新疆、甘肃等地。春、秋采挖，以秋采者为佳。除去须根，晒干，要厚片，生用或蜜炙用。