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Glycyrrhiza Spp. | Licorice | Gan Cao | Yashti madhu


  • PARTS USED: Root
  • TASTE: Sweet
  • CHARACTER: Neutral
  • MERIDIANS: Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach
  • ACTIONS: Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, anti-allergenic, antitussive, hypotensive, steroidal action, cholagogue


USES:
As well as strengthening Qi, Gan Cao (G. uralensis) is used to clear heat, moisten the lungs, and stop coughing. In the West a related species (G. glabra) is used for digestive and respiratory problems, for gastric ulcers, and constipation. In India the plant is known as yashti madhu, or honey stick, and is mainly used to increase kapha, lubricate the lungs, and liquefy mucus. It is often used with ginger for colds with coughs.

CAUTIONS:
Avoid Gan Cao in abdominal fullness; avoid licorice in excess kapha syndromes or high blood pressure; best avoided in osteoporosis.

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Tonic wines

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Syrups

Sugar or honey will act as a preservative for herbal infusions and decoctions, while the sweetness can be very soothing for coughs. Make a standard infusion or decoction, then strain the mixture and add l lb/500g of unrefined sugar or honey to each 1 pt/500ml of liquid. Stir this in a cast-iron or stainless-steel saucepan over the heat until the sugar or honey is completely dissolved and the mixture forms a syrup. Allow to cool and then store in clean glass bottles closed with a cork. Do not use screw-tops, syrups often ferment and tight lids will lead to exploding bottles.

Chinese decoctions

Chinese remedies are generally dispensed by practitioners in separate bags containing enough dried herb for each dose. This is traditionally boiled in three cups of water in an earthenware or ceramic pot for 25-30 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half. The mix is then strained and taken in a single dose on an empty stomach in the morning. Sometimes the herbs need to be reheated in fresh water and then the two extractions are combined. The same herbs might be used for the following day's brew, depending on the exact mix: if it contains soluble ingredients, such as certain mineral salts, then a fresh prescription will be needed each day. The decoction (known as Tang (soup) ) is generally extremely dark brown and very strongly flavored. Chinese doses are much larger than those used by Western herbalists (often up to 3 1/2 Oz/90g ) and the resulting mix is usually rather unpleasant for Western palates.