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Licorice
Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza Uralinsis Chinese Name: Gan Cao Family: Fabaceae |
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Chinese Name................................... Climate range.................................. Aspect range.................................... Mature height................................... Mature width.................................... Special purpose............................... Foliage type..................................... Soil Type.......................................... Propagation..................................... Sow-Plant........................................ Space Apart..................................... Flowering Season............................ Flower Color.................................... |
Gan Cao Warm, Temperate, Cool Full sun, Half sun 3' 1' Medicinal, Culinary Perennial Sandy Seed, Plant Spring 1' Summer Lilac |
COMMENTS:
Chinese Licorice also known as Gan Cao is the one called for in Traditional Chinese Formulas. This perennial has compound leaves with oil glands, white to lilac flowers, and roots and rhizomes that yield licorice. Sometimes difficult to get established, but does well once it is.
Uses: Licorice flavors food, tobacco, drinks, medicines, and sweets. Its expectorant action treats bronchitis. It reduces inflammation, allergies, asthma, gastritis, peptic ulcers, rheumatism, and sore throats. It helps the liver detoxify drugs and is given for liver disease. Licorice strengthens the immune system, stimulates the adrenal gland, and is diuretic and laxative. The roots contain glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar.
Cough Remedy: Licorice contains glycyrrhetinic acid which has some cough suppressant properties.
Ulcers: Concentrates of GA shows healing affects of ulcers but the side effect is swollen feet caused by its water retention properties.
Arthritis: Licorice has anti-inflammatory properties and antiarthritic properties. Discuss with your doctor before using Licorice.
Herpes: Licorice stimulates cell production of interferon, the body's own antiviral compound. Sprinkling some powder on clean sores may help heal herpes.
Infection: Licorice fights disease causing bacteria ( Staphylococci and Strepococci ) and the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections ( Candida albicans ). Sprinkling some powdered root on clean wounds may help prevent infection.
Hepatitis, Cirrhosis: Chinese physicians have used licorice for centuries to treat liver problems. Asian studies show the herb helps control hepatitis and improve liver function in people with cirrhosis. Discuss with your doctor.
Caution: Avoid Licorice in cases of high blood pressure, pregnancy and nursing mothers, diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, or a history of stroke.
Dosage: To make a infection fighting decoction, gently boil 1/2 teaspoon of powdered herb per cup of water for 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups per day. For cough add a pinch of licorice root to your favorite drink.
Recipe Files:
Natural Licorice Candy
Treat your family to Licorice Candy to help cold and flu symptoms!
Ingredients: Ground Licorice Root, Ground Anise Root, Molasses, Brown and White flour.
Sorry I do not have the exact measurements as just made this recipe up and changes to taste. Warm up about 1 cup of molasses. Add approx 1 tsp each Licorice and Anise root, or to taste. Add flour till you have a consistency you can roll into tubes. Too much brown flour will give it a bitter taste. I add the brown flour for a healthier treat. Cut tubes into desired length. Can roll in icing sugar for a prettier look if desired. Let cool and candy will harden. This candy is delicious and has the true Licorice flavor. You may also like to read the health benefits of grains to use for alternate flour in this recipe.
The Hoxsey Formula - anti cancer
- 12 g. Red clover, dried leaf and flower
- 12 g Licorice, dried root
- 6 g Burdock, dried seeds or root
- 6 g Oregon Grape, dried root
- 6 g Poke (P americana) dried root
- 6 g Queen's Delight (Stillingia sylvatica), root
- 6 g Jamaican Quassia (Picrasma, dried wood
- 3 g Buckthorn, dried berries
- 3 g Alder Buckthorn, dried bark(aged 1 year)
- 3 g Prickly Ash, dried bark
The herbs are combined, placed in a pot with enough water to generously cover, simmered for 15 minutes to make a strong decoction and then strained. Traditionally 2-4 tablespoons of theis tea, diluted in 1 cup of water, were taken 4 times daily and again before bed.
Constipation Formula
- 2 parts Barberry
- 2 parts Boldo
- 1 part Cascara Sagrada
- 1 part Licorice
- 1 part Rhubarb root
- 1 part Ginger
Mix all the herbs together. Use 1 teaspoon of the mix per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Drink one cup before going to bed.
NOTE: The links above will take you to products for that condition. You may also like to see the articles on Lung Health,Cough Test, Cold & Flu Recipes, Lungs, Liver Health & Sore Throat.


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Radiant Health: The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs
0443071276:Product Link on Barnes & Noble.com.
Chinese Medicinal Herbs: A Modern Edition of a Classic Sixteenth-Century Manual
Oriental Foods and Herbs: Chemistry and Health Benefits
Chinese Herbal Formulas: MOdern Applications of Traditional Formulas
Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology
Building a Jade Screen: Better Health with Chinese Medicine
Nutraceuticals - Designer Foods III: Garlic, Soy and Licorice
Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrution