What is the difference between moxibustion licorice and licorice?

Because Chinese medicine is profound and has a long history, it has incomparable effects in treating some diseases that Western medicine cannot match. Therefore, many people now like to seek out experienced Chinese medicine practitioners to treat them when they are sick. However, due to our lack of knowledge, we often cannot distinguish some Chinese medicines clearly. Some Chinese medicines have similar names. Are they the same kind of Chinese medicine? For example, are roasted licorice and licorice the same?

When licorice is mentioned in a prescription, it generally refers to raw licorice. The original medicinal materials are removed of impurities, washed, moistened, sliced, and used raw as medicine. Roasted licorice is also known as roasted licorice, honey licorice, and honey-roasted licorice. Mix raw licorice slices with honey, stir-fry until they are no longer sticky, take them out and spread them out to dry, and then use them as medicine.

Licorice and roasted licorice have different effects and applications, especially in ancient prescriptions, the application of raw licorice and roasted licorice is obviously different. They cannot be used interchangeably:

The effect of licorice root

1. Tonifying Yin is the main purpose. For example, in "Shanghan Lai Su Ji. Shanghan Su Yi" by Ke Qin of the Qing Dynasty, it is pointed out that this prescription uses "Shengdi as the main ingredient, Ophiopogon japonicus as the secondary ingredient, and roasted Licorice root as the auxiliary ingredient. Large doses are used to tonify the true Yin, which is the beginning of the Yin-nourishing method in the school of thought." In "Yi Ji You Yin Lun" by Tian Zonghan of the Qing Dynasty, it is also considered that this prescription is "the ancestor of Yin-nourishing prescription."

2. Mainly focusing on blood supplement. For example, a group of doctors represented by Tang Rongchuan in the Qing Dynasty believed that Zhigancao Decoction is a "large dose of blood supplement".

3. Tonify both Qi and blood. For example, Jin Cheng Wuji’s Commentary on Treatise on Febrile Diseases believes that the effect of Zhigancao Decoction is to tonify both Qi and blood. "Replenish the deficiency, replenish blood and qi and restore the pulse."

The benefits of raw licorice

1. Used for heart qi deficiency, palpitations, irregular pulse, spleen and stomach qi deficiency, fatigue, etc.

2. Used for carbuncle, sore throat, etc. It can be used alone, orally or topically, or in combination.

3. Used for asthma and cough. It can be used alone or in combination with other drugs.

4. Used for stomachache, abdominal pain and acute pain in gastrocnemius muscle spasm, etc.

5. Used to moderate the potency of certain medicines. In addition, this product is often used to harmonize various medicines in many prescriptions.

Licorice actually refers to raw licorice, which is different from roasted licorice. First of all, the production methods are different: raw licorice is licorice used as medicine, while roasted licorice is a traditional Chinese medicine made from raw licorice. Secondly, the effects of the two are different, and they cannot replace each other. When taking them, you must be careful not to confuse them.