Are your herbs lab tested?

Yes. All herbs and formulas we carry are lab tested for identity, heavy metals, and microbial safety before being offered for sale.

Do you offer practitioner or wholesale pricing?

Yes. Herbalists, acupuncturists, and other qualified practitioners may qualify for wholesale or bulk pricing. Contact us or visit our wholesale information page for details.

Are your herbs sulfur-free?

Yes. Our herbs are sulfur-free unless clearly noted otherwise. We prioritize clean processing and traditional preparation methods.

Where do you ship from?

All orders are processed and shipped from our facility in Washington State, USA. We offer domestic shipping and select international options.

Do you provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs)?

Yes. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are available upon request for many of our herbs and formulas. Please contact us if you need documentation for a specific product batch.

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Product Details

Organic Licorice Root Powder – Gan Cao – Nuherbs Lab Tested – 1 lb

Premium organic Glycyrrhiza uralensis root powder with no fillers, sweeteners, preservatives, or added ingredients.

Gan Cao, commonly known as Chinese licorice root, is one of the most widely recognized herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its naturally sweet flavor and versatile powdered form make it suitable for herbal teas, decoctions, capsules, tinctures, culinary preparations, and traditional multi-herb formulas.

This product is made from authentic Glycyrrhiza uralensis root, the species traditionally associated with Chinese Gan Cao. The root is ground into a fine whole-herb powder rather than concentrated into an extract, allowing customers to use it in a variety of traditional and modern preparations.

Important safety notice: This product naturally contains glycyrrhizin. Licorice root is not appropriate for everyone, particularly people with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, low potassium, or fluid-retention concerns. Read the complete caution section before use.

Why Choose This Organic Gan Cao Powder?

Authentic Glycyrrhiza uralensis root
Certified organic herbal ingredient
Fine whole-root powder
No fillers or added ingredients

Product Details at a Glance

Common Name	Licorice Root, Chinese Licorice, Sweet Root
Pin Yin Name	Gan Cao
Botanical Name	Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.
Plant Part	Root
Form	Fine organic whole-root powder
Package Size	One pound, 16 ounces
Ingredients	Organic Glycyrrhiza uralensis root powder
Other Ingredients	None
Country of Origin	China
Brand	Nuherbs Organics
Traditional Taste	Sweet
Traditional Temperature	Neutral
Traditional Channels	Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach
Preparation Options	Tea, decoction, capsules, tincture, honey blend, compress, poultice, broth, or culinary preparation

What Is Gan Cao?

Gan Cao is the Chinese name for dried licorice root used in traditional Chinese herbal practice. The species offered on this page is Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as Chinese licorice or Ural licorice.

The common name “licorice” can refer to several related plants in the Glycyrrhiza genus. This can create confusion because products sold as licorice root may be made from different species.

Many Western licorice products are made from Glycyrrhiza glabra. Traditional Chinese Gan Cao is commonly associated with Glycyrrhiza uralensis, although related species may also appear in herbal commerce.

Customers purchasing licorice for a traditional Chinese formula should always check the botanical name rather than relying only on the common name. Botanical identification helps confirm that the product matches the ingredient intended by the formula or practitioner.

Raw Gan Cao vs. Prepared Zhi Gan Cao

One of the most common questions customers ask is whether raw Gan Cao and Zhi Gan Cao are the same herb. Although they originate from the same plant, they are prepared differently and traditionally serve different purposes.

Raw Gan Cao is simply the dried licorice root. This is the product offered on this page.

Zhi Gan Cao is licorice root that has traditionally been processed with honey before drying. Classical Chinese herbal texts often describe honey preparation as altering the herb's traditional characteristics.

If a traditional formula specifically calls for Zhi Gan Cao, it is generally best to use the prepared form rather than substituting raw Gan Cao.

Feature	Raw Gan Cao	Zhi Gan Cao
Processing	Dried natural root	Traditionally honey prepared
Flavor	Sweet and earthy	Sweeter with lightly roasted notes
Traditional Use	General herbal formulas	Specific classical formulas requiring prepared licorice
This Product	Yes	No

Whole Powder vs. Cut Root vs. Extract Powder vs. DGL

Licorice root is available in several forms, and choosing the correct one depends on how you intend to use it.

Form	Description	Best For
Whole Root	Entire dried root	Long decoctions and traditional preparations
Cut Root	Sliced pieces	Herbal teas and simmered decoctions
Whole Root Powder	Entire dried root finely ground	Capsules, teas, recipes, tinctures and custom blends
Extract Powder	Concentrated herbal extract	Professional formulations requiring standardized concentration
DGL	Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice	Products formulated with reduced glycyrrhizin

This product is a whole organic root powder. It is not an extract and it is not DGL.

Naturally Occurring Plant Compounds

Licorice root has been extensively studied by researchers because it naturally contains numerous plant constituents. These naturally occurring compounds contribute to the herb's unique chemistry and continue to be investigated in laboratory and clinical research.

Triterpenoid saponins
Glycyrrhizin
Flavonoids
Isoflavonoids
Chalcones
Coumarins
Polysaccharides
Volatile aromatic compounds

Scientific interest in these constituents continues to grow. However, laboratory research should not be interpreted as proof that whole licorice root powder prevents or treats any disease.

How to Choose High-Quality Licorice Root Powder

Not every licorice powder is produced to the same standard. Careful selection begins with verifying the botanical species and evaluating the overall quality of the finished product.

Look for:

Clearly identified botanical name
Country of origin
Whole-root powder rather than unidentified fillers
Natural tan to light brown color
Sweet earthy aroma
Fine, dry texture
Professional packaging
Laboratory quality-control procedures

Avoid Products That:

Have no botanical name listed
Appear damp or clumpy
Smell musty or sour
Contain unidentified ingredients
Lack supplier information

Why Quality Testing Matters

Licorice root is an agricultural product, and quality may vary depending on growing conditions, harvesting, processing, storage, and manufacturing practices.

Nuherbs follows a comprehensive quality-control program designed to verify botanical identity and product quality.

Depending on the ingredient and production lot, testing may include:

Botanical identity verification
Heavy metal screening
Microbiological analysis
Pesticide residue screening
Moisture analysis
Purity evaluation

Testing helps verify product quality but does not guarantee that an herb is appropriate for every individual.

How to Use Organic Licorice Root Powder

The fine powder is one of the most versatile forms of Gan Cao because it can be incorporated into numerous traditional and modern preparations.

Herbal Tea

Heat approximately eight ounces of water.
Add a small amount of powder.
Whisk well.
Allow to steep for five to ten minutes.
Strain if desired.

Traditional Decoction

Add powder to cool water.
Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook for approximately ten minutes.
Allow sediment to settle.
Strain before serving.

Capsules

Whole root powder can be placed into empty capsules for convenient use. Appropriate serving amounts should be determined with a qualified healthcare professional.

Tincture

The powder may also be extracted using alcohol to prepare a tincture, although many herbalists prefer cut root because it filters more easily.

Culinary Uses

Because of its naturally sweet flavor, Gan Cao powder may be incorporated into:

Herbal teas
Broths
Soups
Smoothies
Spice blends
Baked fruit
Homemade herbal honey

Traditional and Everyday Recipes

Classic Gan Cao Tea

Ingredients

2 cups filtered water
A small amount of Organic Gan Cao Powder

Directions

Bring water to a gentle simmer.
Add Gan Cao powder.
Simmer for approximately ten minutes.
Strain if desired.
Serve warm.

Digestive Herbal Tea

Ingredients

Gan Cao powder
Fresh ginger slices
Red dates

Simmer gently for fifteen minutes before serving.

Herbal Honey Blend

Mix a small amount of Gan Cao powder into raw honey and stir thoroughly until smooth. Use immediately rather than preparing large batches.

Comforting Herbal Broth

Add a small amount of Gan Cao powder during the final few minutes of simmering vegetable or chicken broth together with ginger and red dates for a mildly sweet traditional herbal broth.

Warm Winter Spice Blend

Combine cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and a small amount of Gan Cao powder to prepare an aromatic seasoning for oatmeal, baked apples, pears, or herbal beverages.

Because Gan Cao has a naturally sweet flavor, only a modest quantity is generally needed in recipes.

Is Gan Cao the Same as Licorice Candy?

No. Gan Cao is a botanical root ingredient. Commercial black licorice candy may contain sugar, corn syrup, starches, flavoring agents, molasses, anise oil, or small quantities of licorice extract.

Some products called licorice candy contain no true licorice root at all and receive their characteristic flavor from anise or artificial flavorings.

This product contains only powdered organic Glycyrrhiza uralensis root. It is not candy and contains no added sugar.

Botanical Identification: How to Recognize Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Glycyrrhiza uralensis is a perennial plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It develops an extensive underground root and rhizome system, which is the portion collected for traditional herbal use.

The plant commonly grows upright and may reach approximately two to four feet in height under suitable conditions. Its above-ground appearance reflects its relationship to other members of the pea family.

Roots and Rhizomes

The underground roots and rhizomes are the parts traditionally harvested. Fresh roots have a yellowish interior and a brown outer surface. After drying, the root develops the familiar tan-to-yellow-brown color associated with licorice root products.

The naturally sweet flavor becomes noticeable when the dried root is chewed, simmered, or ground into powder.

Harvesting

Licorice roots are generally allowed to mature for several years before harvest. Older, well-developed roots provide more usable material and contain the plant compounds associated with the characteristic sweetness and aroma of licorice.

After harvesting, the roots are cleaned, dried, and either sliced, cut, or milled into powder. Proper drying is important because excess moisture can affect stability, aroma, and storage quality.

Why Botanical Identity Matters

Several licorice species share similar flavors and plant compounds, but they are not botanically identical. Correct identification is especially important when following traditional formulas, comparing research, or selecting a particular species.

A professionally labeled product should clearly state the botanical name, plant part, form, and country of origin. Vague labels that simply say “licorice” provide less information than labels identifying the product as Glycyrrhiza uralensis root.

What Does Licorice Root Powder Taste Like?

Gan Cao powder has a naturally sweet, earthy, and mildly woody flavor. The sweetness develops gradually and often lingers longer than the sweetness of ordinary sugar.

The flavor can help soften the bitterness of certain herbal ingredients, which is one reason licorice has historically been added to multi-herb preparations.

Although the root tastes sweet, it does not taste exactly like black licorice candy. Candy often includes anise, molasses, concentrated flavorings, or large amounts of sugar that create a sharper and more familiar confectionery flavor.

Because licorice root powder has a powerful and persistent taste, only a small amount is generally needed when it is added to tea, broth, spice blends, oatmeal, baked fruit, or other recipes.

Gan Cao in Traditional Chinese Herbalism

Gan Cao has been used in Chinese herbal practice for many centuries and appears in a large number of classical formulas. Traditional references commonly describe the root as sweet and neutral, with an affinity for the Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach systems.

Within the traditional Chinese framework, Gan Cao has been used to:

Support or tonify Spleen Qi
Support Heart Qi
Moisten the Lung system
Support digestive comfort
Help transform phlegm
Moderate spasms and occasional tension
Clear heat and relieve toxicity within traditional theory
Harmonize the flavor and traditional roles of other herbs

These terms belong to a historical system of herbal classification. Concepts such as Qi, heat, toxicity, channels, and harmonizing are not equivalent to modern medical diagnoses and should not be interpreted as proof that Gan Cao treats a particular disease.

Why Is Gan Cao Known as the Great Harmonizer?

Gan Cao is frequently called a harmonizing herb because traditional practitioners often include it in multi-herb formulas to help bring the ingredients together.

Its naturally sweet taste can soften harsh or bitter flavors. Traditional herbal theory also describes Gan Cao as moderating the intensity of certain ingredients and helping coordinate their roles within a formula.

This traditional harmonizing function does not mean that licorice makes every herbal combination safe. Some combinations may still be inappropriate because of medication interactions, health conditions, pregnancy, dosage, or the actions of the other herbs.

Why Does Gan Cao Appear in So Many Traditional Formulas?

Gan Cao appears in numerous classical Chinese herbal formulas because it can serve more than one traditional purpose at the same time.

Depending on the formula, it may be included for its own traditional properties, for its flavor, or for its role in helping balance stronger ingredients. In some preparations, it is a central herb. In others, only a small amount is added as a supporting ingredient.

This flexibility helped Gan Cao become one of the most frequently used herbs in the traditional Chinese materia medica.

However, frequent historical use does not mean it is suitable for unrestricted daily consumption. Whole licorice root contains glycyrrhizin and requires careful attention to blood pressure, heart health, kidney function, potassium levels, medications, and duration of use.

Interesting Facts About Gan Cao

Gan Cao means “sweet herb.” The Chinese name reflects the naturally sweet taste of the root.
The sweetness is not caused by added sugar. Naturally occurring glycyrrhizin contributes much of licorice root’s distinctive sweetness.
Gan Cao belongs to the pea family. Glycyrrhiza uralensis is a member of the Fabaceae family, along with peas, beans, and many other legumes.
The medicinal material comes from underground. The roots and rhizomes are harvested, dried, and prepared for herbal use.
Licorice candy and licorice root are not the same product. Many candies are flavored with anise or artificial ingredients rather than whole licorice root.
Raw and prepared Gan Cao are different. Honey-prepared licorice, called Zhi Gan Cao, has a different traditional emphasis and should not automatically replace raw Gan Cao in classical formulas.

When Might Someone Choose Organic Gan Cao Powder?

Organic Gan Cao powder is a versatile ingredient that has traditionally been included in teas, decoctions, custom herbal blends, and culinary preparations. Many customers prefer the powdered form because it is easy to measure and can be incorporated into a wide variety of recipes.

You may choose powdered Gan Cao if you are looking for:

A whole-root powder rather than a concentrated extract.
An authentic Glycyrrhiza uralensis ingredient for traditional Chinese herbal formulas.
A naturally sweet botanical ingredient for herbal teas and broths.
A convenient powder for filling capsules or preparing tinctures.
An organic, lab-tested herbal product with no fillers or artificial ingredients.
A versatile herb suitable for home herbalists, herbal practitioners, and culinary use.

Traditional Chinese herbal formulas are selected according to the individual rather than a single symptom. If you are considering using Gan Cao as part of a traditional herbal program, consult a qualified practitioner familiar with Chinese herbal medicine.

Storage and Shelf Life

Proper storage helps maintain the aroma, flavor, and overall quality of herbal powders.

For Best Results

Store in a cool, dry location.
Keep away from direct sunlight.
Seal the package tightly after each use.
Always use a clean, dry spoon.
Avoid storing near steam, sinks, dishwashers, or ovens.
Do not allow moisture to enter the container.

Expected Shelf Life

When stored properly, licorice root powder generally maintains excellent quality for approximately two to three years. Temperature, humidity, and repeated exposure to air may shorten its useful life.

If the powder develops an unusual odor, visible mold, insects, moisture, or discoloration, it should be discarded.

Important Safety Information

Although licorice root has a long history of traditional use, it is not appropriate for everyone. Whole licorice root naturally contains glycyrrhizin, a constituent that can affect sodium, potassium, fluid balance, and blood pressure in some individuals.

Do Not Use Without Medical Guidance If You Have:

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Low potassium levels
Fluid retention or swelling
Liver disease
A hormone-sensitive medical condition

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not use during pregnancy unless specifically recommended by your qualified healthcare provider. If you are breastfeeding, consult your healthcare professional before use.

Possible Medication Interactions

Licorice root may interact with certain medications, including:

Blood pressure medications
Diuretics
Digoxin
Corticosteroids
Blood-thinning medications
Diabetes medications
Medicines that influence potassium levels

If you take prescription medications or have a chronic medical condition, consult your healthcare provider before using this product.

Discontinue Use and Seek Medical Advice If You Experience:

Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
Rapid weight gain
Persistent headache
Muscle weakness
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Persistent nausea or vomiting

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this whole licorice root powder?

Yes. This product contains the entire dried root ground into a fine powder. It is not a concentrated extract.

Is this the same as DGL?

No. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) has most of the glycyrrhizin removed. This product is whole licorice root powder.

Can I make tea with this powder?

Yes. It may be whisked into hot water or simmered as a traditional decoction.

Can I put the powder into capsules?

Yes. Many customers prepare their own capsules using empty vegetarian or gelatin capsules.

Can I cook with Gan Cao?

Yes. It is commonly added to teas, broths, soups, spice blends, and other culinary recipes.

Can I add it to smoothies?

Yes. A small amount may be blended into smoothies, although its naturally sweet flavor can be quite pronounced.

Does it dissolve completely?

No. Whole-root powder remains suspended in water and may settle to the bottom of the cup.

Does it contain caffeine?

No. Licorice root naturally contains no caffeine.

Is it gluten free?

Licorice root is naturally gluten free. However, individuals with severe allergies should review manufacturing information if cross-contact is a concern.

Is it vegan?

Yes. This product contains only organic licorice root powder.

Can I freeze it?

Freezing is generally unnecessary. Proper storage in a cool, dry location is sufficient for most customers.

Why does licorice taste so sweet?

The sweetness comes from naturally occurring plant compounds rather than added sugar.

Why is Gan Cao used in so many Chinese herbal formulas?

Traditional Chinese herbalists have historically used Gan Cao to harmonize formulas and complement other herbs while contributing its own traditional properties.

Can children use Gan Cao?

Children should only use herbal products under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

Can I take it every day?

Daily use may not be appropriate for everyone. Consult your healthcare provider regarding appropriate use and duration.

Why Buy Organic Gan Cao Powder from 1st Chinese Herbs?

Since 1994, 1st Chinese Herbs has specialized in providing carefully selected Chinese herbs and botanical ingredients. We believe customers deserve more than just a product—they deserve accurate botanical information, preparation guidance, and transparent quality standards.

Trusted herbal supplier since 1994
Authentic Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Organic whole-root powder
Premium Nuherbs quality
Carefully selected products
Educational product pages
Fast shipping from Washington State
Helpful customer support

Whether you are an experienced herbal practitioner or just beginning your herbal journey, our goal is to provide dependable products backed by accurate educational resources.

Scientific References

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals, including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food.

Educational Disclaimer

The information presented on this page is provided for educational purposes only. Statements regarding traditional herbal uses are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and historical herbal literature. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, or managing an existing medical condition.

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