What Are the Benefits and Effects of Licorice Root?
Raw licorice is used to tonify the spleen and benefit qi, clear heat and detoxify, eliminate phlegm and stop cough, relieve urgent and severe pain, and harmonize various drugs. It is indicated for conditions such as spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, cough with excessive phlegm, abdominal and limb spasms, and relieving the toxicity and intensity of drugs. Raw licorice has the functions of relieving cough and phlegm, harmonizing the intensity of certain drugs, etc.
Functions of Raw Licorice:
1. Used for heart qi deficiency, palpitations, irregular pulse, and spleen and stomach qi deficiency, fatigue, etc.
2. Used for sore throat and other conditions. It can be used alone, taken internally or externally, or used in combination with other drugs.
3. Licorice has the function of relieving cough and phlegm. It is used for symptoms such as cough with excessive phlegm, asthma, and difficulty exhaling sticky mucus caused by tracheitis, emphysema, etc.
4. Used for stomach pain, abdominal pain, and calf muscle spasms. It is often used together with peony root to significantly enhance the therapeutic effect of relieving spasms, such as peony root and licorice decoction.
5. Used to harmonize the intensity of certain drugs. For example, in the formula of modulating qi decoction, licorice is used to alleviate the purging effect of rhubarb and mirabilite and their stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, licorice is commonly used in many prescriptions to harmonize various drugs.
How to Consume Raw Licorice?
1. Raw Licorice Water
Materials: 20 grams of raw licorice
Method: Grind the raw licorice into powder, use 20 grams at a time, steep in boiling water, consume 20-40 grams daily as a tea. Discard when the sweet taste is no longer evident.
Efficacy: Effectively treats chronic pharyngitis and chronic prostatitis with impotence.
2. Homemade Licorice and Dried Tangerine Peel
Materials: Four slices of dried tangerine peel, 7 slices of licorice, sugar, and salt to taste
Method:
a. Remove the bitterness from the four slices of dried tangerine peel by soaking them in water until softened. Boil the tangerine peel three times with hot water, each time for 3 to 5 minutes, and change the water after each boiling.
b. Place 7 slices of licorice, sugar, and salt to taste in water and boil to make a decoction. Add the tangerine peel and simmer until the liquid is almost dried. Then bake for 3 to 5 minutes.
