The difference between licorice tablets and compound licorice tablets

Licorice tablets and compound licorice tablets are two common cough suppressant Chinese medicines in our daily life. Although their smell is very pungent, the effect of relieving cough and reducing phlegm is really very good. Many people think that these two medicines are the same, but in fact they are not. So what are the differences between licorice tablets and compound licorice tablets?

Licorice tablets are simply sugar-coated tablets made of licorice. The main ingredient of compound licorice tablets is licorice extract, which is a compound Chinese medicine preparation.

The ingredient of licorice tablets is licorice. The ingredients of compound licorice include other ingredients besides licorice, including: licorice extract powder (medium powder), opium powder or poppy fruit extract powder, camphor, star anise oil, and sodium benzoate (medium powder).

Compound licorice tablets are compound preparations. The antitussive ingredient in compound licorice tablets is opium, which is flavonoids obtained from poppy and compounds outside the body. It interacts with specific protein kinases in the nerve center and can inhibit the cough reflex nerve center.

The licorice fluid extract in compound licorice tablets is a defensive antitussive and expectorant, opium powder has a strong antitussive effect, camphor and star anise oil can stimulate bronchial mucosa, reflexively increase glandular secretion, dilute sputum, and make sputum easier to cough up. Sodium benzoate is an additive, which has a synergistic effect of antitussive and expectorant.

Licorice is warm in nature and sweet in taste. It is a traditional Chinese medicine that replenishes qi and blood and benefits the spleen. Among traditional Chinese medicines, licorice has many functions. In addition to replenishing qi and blood and benefiting the spleen, it also has the effects of clearing away heat and fire, relieving stranguria and promoting urination. Licorice can relieve the severity of an illness and also has the effect of harmonizing various medicines. Using licorice to treat abdominal tightness and dull pain can reduce or relieve the pain. Adding licorice when using ephedra to induce sweating can remove the damage caused by the dryness and heat of the herb. Using Coptis chinensis, Lemongrass seeds and adding licorice at the 2nd hour can make the attack less severe and not damage Yin or Yang. In addition, licorice also has excellent effects of moistening the lungs and relieving cough, relieving cough and reducing phlegm, and reducing phlegm.

It should be noted that whether it is licorice tablets or compound licorice tablets, this type of medicine is not suitable for some coughs. Licorice tablets are better for irritating dry coughs, but if there is phlegm in the throat, it is best to cough out the phlegm first. If you simply suppress a cough, it will be more difficult to cure.

There are two types of coughs: dry cough and phlegm cough. No matter what kind of cough you have, taking licorice tablets will have a very effective cough and phlegm-reducing effect. However, if there is phlegm in the throat, taking licorice tablets will make it difficult to cough up the phlegm. The phlegm will increase in the body and the cough will easily recur. Therefore, people with phlegm and cough should not take licorice tablets; if it is just a simple dry cough, the effect of taking licorice tablets will be better.

Licorice tablets also have side effects.

The cough and expectorant ingredients in licorice tablets can cause constipation and difficulty urinating. If you have problems with constipation and difficulty urinating, you don't need to take licorice tablets.

It is best not to take licorice tablets for more than 3 days, otherwise it will irritate the stomach and intestines.

Licorice tablets can only relieve cough symptoms and cannot cure colds.

In addition, if it has not worked after taking it for 3 days, it is best to see a doctor for consultation.