The efficacy and function of licorice

I believe everyone has eaten licorice in life. This is a very common and important licorice. When we have a cold and cough, we usually take some licorice tablets. Licorice tastes sweet, but at the same time, it also has a pungent taste. Many people choose to use licorice when doing moxibustion, because the effect of licorice moxibustion is very good and can treat weak spleen and stomach. So what are the effects and functions of moxibustion of licorice?

Licorice polysaccharides and other chemical components have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, can regulate the body's immune function, and have anti-tumor and analgesic effects. Therefore, the main effects of roasted licorice are to harmonize the stomach, relieve urgency, moisten the lungs, detoxify, and harmonize various medicines. It is often used for weak spleen and stomach, fatigue, palpitations, and irregular pulse, and can detoxify aconite.

The clinical application of roasted licorice is mostly roasted licorice soup, which is a soup made with roasted licorice as the main ingredient. Therefore, the efficacy and function of licorice can be analyzed from licorice soup. Based on the opinions of doctors of all dynasties, it is believed that the main effects and functions of Zhigancao Decoction are as follows:

1. The main effect is to nourish Yin. In the Qing Dynasty, Ke Qin's "Shanghan Lai Su Ji·Shanghan Fuyi" pointed out that "Shengdi is the main ingredient, Ophiopogon japonicus is the secondary ingredient, and roasted licorice is the auxiliary ingredient. Large doses can nourish the true Yin, which is the way to nourish Yin in the study of ancient times." Tian Zonghan's "Yi Ji You Yin Lun" in the Qing Dynasty also believed that this prescription was "the ancestor of nourishing Yin."

2. Its main effect is to replenish blood. A group of doctors represented by Tang Rongchuan in the Qing Dynasty believed that Zhigancao Decoction is a "large dose of blood tonic."

3. The efficacy and function of replenishing both qi and blood is represented by "Annotations to Treatise on Febrile Diseases", which believes that the efficacy of Zhigancao Decoction is to replenish both qi and blood, "replenishing deficiency, replenishing qi and blood and restoring the pulse".

4. Regulates both Yin and Yang. It is mainly used to treat Yin and blood deficiency after typhoid fever or in the recovery period of serious illness, blood not nourishing the heart, weakness and lack of energy, palpitations, restlessness and insomnia, dry stool, slightly red tongue with little coating, and irregular pulse.

In general, the traditional applications of licorice are: 1. Used for insufficient heart qi, irregular pulse and palpitations. 2. Used for spleen deficiency syndrome. 3. Used for cough and asthma. 4. Used for cramped pain in the abdomen and limbs. 5. Used for heat and toxic sores, sore throat, and drug and food poisoning. 6. Used to harmonize medicinal properties. Modern applications of licorice: 1. Arrhythmia. 2. Low blood pressure. 3. Hepatitis. 4. Phlebitis. 5. Urticaria. 6. Ulcers.

The toxic side effects of roasted licorice are relatively small, but if taken in large quantities and for a long time, it can cause symptoms such as edema, increased blood pressure, and decreased blood potassium, as well as digestive disorders such as abdominal distension and poor appetite. Therefore, it is okay to drink it occasionally in water, but it is not suitable for long-term and large-scale use.