Chinese / Pin Yin

甘草 Gan Cao

Common English Name

Liquorice Root

Pharmaceutical Name

Glycyrrhizae Radix

Standard Species

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.

Family

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Part

Root

Specification

Liquiritin >0.5%.
Glycyrrhizic acid >2.0%.

Indications

Spleen-stomach weakness, fatigue and lack of strength, palpitation and shortness of breath, cough and profuse sputum, painful spasm in the stomach duct, abdomen and limbs, swelling abscess, sore and toxin, reduce the other drugs' toxic and drastic action.

Actions

To tonify spleen and tonify qi, clear heat and remove toxin, dispel phlegm to suppress cough, relax spasm and relieve pain, and moderate drug actions.