Licorice Root
甘草 · Gān Cǎo
Calms inflamed gut, sore throats, and harsh formulas
Properties
NeutralNeutral botanicalSweet
What it does
Licorice root calms inflamed gut, sore throats, spasms, and softens the harsh edges of strong herbs in formulas. In TCM, it supplements qi, supports the spleen, calms the lungs, and 'harmonizes' other ingredients. It appears in roughly half of all classical formulas. Three systematic reviews track its antiviral and gastric protective effects.
How to take it
Decoct 3–9g of dried licorice slices in water for 20 minutes. Often used in formulas at 1–3g to balance other herbs. Limit to short-term courses.
Try a small amount of licorice in a sore-throat or digestive tea blend
Safety
- Long-term high doses can cause high blood pressure, low potassium, and edema
- Skip if you have hypertension, heart failure, or kidney disease
- Affects cortisol and many medications. Check with your doctor
- Skip during pregnancy. Long use may affect fetal development
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Formulas it's in
Four Gentlemen
四君子湯 · sì jūn zǐ tāng
TCM's most foundational qi tonic. The starting point for rebuilding energy and digestion.
Free and Easy Wanderer
逍遙散 · xiāo yáo sǎn
One of the most-prescribed TCM formulas in the world, used for stress, PMS, and the feeling of being emotionally stuck.
Honeysuckle & Forsythia
銀翹散 · yín qiào sǎn
The classical TCM formula for catching a wind-heat cold early. Take at the first sign of sore throat and fever.
Minor Bupleurum
小柴胡湯 · xiǎo chái hú tāng
A foundational TCM formula for symptoms that come and go in waves. Alternating chills and fever, bad mood, sticky digestion.
Restore the Spleen
歸脾湯 · guī pí tāng
TCM's classical formula for the trifecta of anxious overthinking, exhaustion, and poor sleep.
Sour Jujube Decoction
酸棗仁湯 · suān zǎo rén tāng
The classical TCM formula for the kind of insomnia where your mind won't stop and your body feels parched.
Tonify the Middle & Augment Qi
補中益氣湯 · bǔ zhōng yì qì tāng
TCM's foundational formula for low energy that comes from the digestion being run-down for a long time.
Two-Aged Decoction
二陳湯 · èr chén tāng
TCM's classical base formula for what it calls 'phlegm-damp,' the heavy, sluggish quality that builds up from poor digestion.
Where it comes from
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is sometimes called 'the king of TCM herbs' because it appears in roughly half of all classical formulas. Its sweet flavor and harmonizing nature make it a near-universal team player. The active glycyrrhizin has cortisone-like anti-inflammatory effects but can cause potassium loss and high blood pressure at high doses or with long-term use. Three systematic reviews track its antiviral and gastric protective effects.