The Power of Licorice Root: Health Benefits and Traditional Uses
Why Use Licorice Root for Health?
Licorice root, also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its natural compounds provide numerous health benefits, making it a valuable herb in both Eastern and Western herbal practices. Whether you're dealing with a sore throat or seeking overall immune support, licorice root is a go-to remedy for many.
Health Benefits of Licorice Root
Licorice root offers a variety of health benefits, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. It is particularly known for soothing respiratory conditions and supporting digestive health. Here are some of its top benefits:
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Soothes Sore Throat: Licorice root is commonly used to relieve throat irritation. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and provide a cooling effect on sore tissues.
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Quiets a Cough: If you have a persistent cough, licorice root can be an effective natural remedy. It acts as an expectorant, helping to loosen and expel mucus, while also calming the respiratory system.
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Supports Digestive Health: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), licorice root is often used to balance the digestive system. It can help alleviate symptoms like indigestion, heartburn, and stomach ulcers.
How Does Licorice Root Help a Sore Throat?
Licorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which has strong anti-inflammatory effects. This compound helps reduce swelling and irritation in the throat, providing quick relief from pain and discomfort. Licorice root also acts as a natural demulcent, meaning it coats the throat, creating a soothing barrier against further irritation.
How Does Licorice Root Quiet a Cough?
Licorice root is known for its ability to suppress coughs. It works by relaxing the airways and thinning mucus, making it easier to expel. This herb has been widely used in cough syrups and teas for centuries. Its ability to calm the respiratory tract helps reduce the frequency and severity of coughing, making it an excellent remedy for colds, bronchitis, and asthma.
Unique Properties of Licorice Root in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In TCM, licorice root, or Gan Cao, is considered a harmonizing herb. It is often added to herbal formulas to enhance the effects of other herbs. Its sweet flavor is believed to tonify the qi (energy) and soothe the body. Licorice is also known for its ability to clear heat, making it useful in treating fever and inflammation. In addition, TCM uses licorice to balance digestive health, improve energy, and calm the spirit.
How to Use Licorice Root
Licorice root can be consumed in various forms, including teas, capsules, tinctures, and syrups. Here’s how to incorporate it into your routine:
- Teas: Boil licorice root in water and enjoy as a soothing tea for throat relief.
- Tinctures: Use a few drops of licorice tincture in water for a more concentrated effect.
- Syrups: Licorice syrup is especially effective for coughs and sore throats.
Conclusion
Licorice root is a powerful herb with a rich history in both Eastern and Western medicine. Whether you’re looking to soothe a sore throat, quiet a cough, or support your overall health, licorice root provides numerous benefits. Its unique properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine make it a versatile and valuable addition to your wellness routine.
Product Description
Herbal Information for Licorice Root in Cut / Sliced Form
Common Name: Licorice root, Sweet Herb, Liquorice root, Sweet Root
Botanical Name: Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis
Pin Yin Name: Gan Cao
Other Ingredients: None, nothing has been added to this product.
Package Size: 500 Grams ( 1.1 pounds)
Form: Cut / Sliced - sizes vary
Origin: China
Brand: Plum Flower, species - authenticated herbs
Cautions: Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Can cause an increase in blood pressure. In large doses, licorice can lead to hypertension and edema.
California Prop 65
Naturally Occurring Components: Glycyrrhizic acid
Channels/Meridians: All 12 channels, mainly the heart, lung, spleen and stomach channels.
Product Properties: Sweet, slightly cold
Summary of Gan Cao - Licorice Root
- Moistens Lungs
- Strengthens the Qi
- Dispels Phlegm
- Tonify Spleen
- Harmonizes other herbs
- Doesn't taste like the candy licorice, but it is sweet. (Candies which we now call licorice are flavored with anise seed and fennel.)
- The word “licorice” is from a Greek name Glukurrhiza, which means, literally, “sweet root.”
- Benefits Digestion and Eases Nausea (1)
- Support Healthy Respiratory Function (2)
- Support for Seasonal Health (3)
Check out our How to Use Bulk Herbs page to see how to use herbs correctly. Our web page is constantly expanding, as of today we have articles on:
- How to make salves, poultice, tinctures, teas, capsules, gargles, and foot bathes
- How to make a citrus facial splash
- Cayenne pepper: Caterpillar and aphid spray ( Natural insect repellent )
- Citrus potpourri basket
About Plum Flower Quality Herb Cut Bulk Herbs
Plum Flower is an established worldwide manufacturer of high-quality Chinese herbs, and innovative Chinese medicinal herbs and products. Plum Flower uses sulfur-free herbs and laboratory tests its products for contamination and heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and pesticides.
Main Characteristics (Attributes) of Herbs
- Harvested at the proper level of maturity and correct time of the season to maximize potency.
- Free from Chlorine
- Manufactured without the use of sulphur
- Preservative Free
- Made at GMP internationally certified facilities (Good Manufacturing Practices) Quality control tests are done at the manufacturing site and at third party labs to confirm results
- Aluminum Phosphate free
- Packaged in an airtight sealed bag
- Pin Yin Names and Botanical Names are listed on the bag
- Certificate of Analysis are available upon request
- Conforms to Standards of Chinese Pharmacopeia
- No dyes, colors, or bleaching of the herbs
- We are a authorized direct distributor of Plum Flower Herbs.
- 500 gram bag size which equal anywhere from 4 to 6 cups of herbs
Chinese Traditional herbs should be regarded as a supplementary aspect to modern western healthcare, and not as a replacement. Chinese traditional herbs ( Teas ) emphasize harmony, and balance.
Why use Chinese Bulk Herbs?
Traditional Chinese Medicine curative herbal formulas have been developed, improved and perfected for over 5000 years.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient, holistic medical system used all over the world to treat a wide variety of health issues. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) works by helping to balance the bodies’ functions thus restoring health.
As soon as the Chinese people began to carve out a civilization in ancient China it developed a cultural heritage that has continued to the present day. TCM is the oldest and one of the safest, effective systems one can use to care for their body, it promotes health and helps to sustain longevity.
Chinese herbs have been with mankind for 5,000 years and will be with us in the years ahead – it is using nature’s bountiful gifts to have good health.
References:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123991/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12804082
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24520776
http://www.yourhealth.com.au/information-on-natural-medicine-herbs-detail.php?name=Licorice
https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Gan-Cao-Cid5080
