The efficacy and function of licorice

Licorice is a very good medicinal material. It is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients. It has extremely high medicinal value. Let us learn about several aspects of licorice.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Glycyrrhiza uralensis of the Apocynaceae family.

[Original form] Annual herb, 30cm high. The whole plant is hairless; the stems are gray. Leaves are alternate, membranous; petiole up to 3mm long; leaf blade narrowly lanceolate, acuminate at apex, 2.2-4.8cm long, 5-8mm wide. The inflorescence is terminal, with calyx 5-lobed, sepals ovate, gradually pointed at the apex, about 2mm long, with 5 small glands inside the base; the corolla is high-footed saucer-shaped, the corolla tube is cylindrical, gradually widens towards the throat, up to 10mm long, 2mm in diameter at the base, about 4mm in diameter at the throat, and covered with long soft hairs on the inside; the corolla lobes are 5, oblong-lanceolate, up to 5mm long; the stamens are attached to the corolla tube near the throat, the anthers are oblong and blunt; the ovary consists of 2 free carpels, glabrous; the style is filiform, the stigma is clavate, and the base is annular; each carpel has 10 ovules in 2 rows. Flowering period is June.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: grows near water.

[Chemical composition] The whole plant contains an indole alkaloid, amasosinine.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies. It is used to treat wind-heat in children, erysipelas, and sores.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Licorice not only has many functions, but also has many ways of consumption in our lives, so it is loved by many people.