Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

Submitted by yyh_staff on Fri, 2008-07-11 08:51.

Chinese Name:

Gan Cao

English Name:

Licorice Root

Functions and Usage:

Tonifies the spleen and augments qi - spleen deficiency w/shortness of breath, fatigue, loose stools (si jun zi tong).
Qi and/or blood deficiency w/irregular pluse or palpitations (Zhi Gan Cao Tang).
Moistens the lungs and stops cough - heat/cold in the lungs (Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang).
Clears heat and toxic fire (raw) - carbuncles, sores, sore throat due to fire toxin (internally or topically).
Alleviates pain and stops spasms - abdomen or legs (Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang).
Often used to harmonize and/or moderate characteristics of other herbs.
Antidote for toxic substances (internally and topically).

Functional Groupings (Click for Summary/Study Notes):

Dosage and Preparation Notes:

Channels Influenced:

Temperature and Taste Properties:

Contraindications:

Avoid with excess dampness, nausea, vomiting.
Incompatible with Gan Sui, Da Ji, Yuan Hua, Hai Zao (although used in some formulas with Hai Zao).
If taken for long periods of time, may cause hypertension and/or edema.

Notes:

Affects all 12 meridians, but most used with the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians.
When raw it has more neutral properties, when dry-fried it is more warming.

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