Licorice, with its long history of medicinal use, is renowned for its properties in tonifying the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), clearing heat and detoxifying, expectorating and relieving cough, and harmonizing other herbs. It has been extensively documented in historical literature, with the earliest records dating back to the "Shennong Bencao Jing" (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Subsequent generations have continued to chronicle its various aspects. It is found in nine out of ten traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, capable of blending with herbs of diverse temperatures, creating a harmonious and synergistic therapeutic effect, earning it the title of "King of Versatility."
Efficacy of Licorice
According to the 2020 edition of the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia": Licorice has a sweet taste and a neutral nature. It is used for strengthening the spleen and augmenting qi, clearing heat and detoxifying, expectorating and relieving cough, alleviating acute pain, and harmonizing other medicinals. It is indicated for spleen deficiency, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, excessive coughing and phlegm, spasms and pains in the limbs, abscesses and toxic sores, and for mitigating the toxicity and potency of other drugs.
Modern research indicates that licorice possesses antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic properties, modulates immune function, and also exhibits antiulcer, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, antiarrhythmic, lipid-lowering, anti-atherosclerotic, antitussive, detoxifying, and antitumor effects.
Chemical Constituents
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that licorice contains total flavonoids, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, triterpenoids, and glycosides, among other components.
Pharmacological Actions
- Antioxidant: Glycyrrhizin, total phenols, total flavonoids, and glycosides can inhibit cellular oxidation and apoptosis to a certain extent, protecting cells and alleviating oxidative stress reactions in HIV-infected individuals.
- Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory: Studies suggest that licorice has the potential for immune modulation, with its flavonoid compounds exhibiting significant bioactivity in antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory aspects, leading to its widespread clinical application.
Innovative Applications of Licorice in the Modern Health Industry
Medicinal Use
At present, the application of licorice in China is mainly medicinal, especially in the form of traditional Chinese medicine slices, with a huge annual consumption and export to many countries and regions, making it a major commodity.
Licorice-based preparations purified through industrial processes, such as compound glycyrrhizin tablets and glycyrrhizin disodium injection/capsules, effectively protect liver cells and are commonly used clinical hepatoprotective drugs.
Non-pharmaceutical Value Applications
The application of licorice's non-pharmaceutical value is also widespread both domestically and internationally. For example, the industrial extraction of licorice extracts and glycyrrhizin (licorice acid). The sweetness of glycyrrhizin is 200-500 times that of sucrose, and it not only has the characteristics of plant aroma but also antioxidant properties, which can inhibit oil spoilage and naturally preserve, making it a safe and reliable food additive.
Effective biological components extracted from licorice, such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, and flavonoids, have whitening, freckle removal, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and sunscreen effects, and are widely used in the cosmetic industry. Domestic toothpaste research companies have also established standards for glycyrrhizin as a toothpaste additive, using it as a whitening and antibacterial ingredient in toothpaste.
Compound Licorice Tablets
Gan Di Xin® is BGM Group's patented formulation product. It's an antitussive and expectorant medicine made from raw licorice materials.
Generic Name: Compound Licorice Tablets
Trade Name: Gan Dixing®
Indications: For cough suppression and expectoration.
Adverse Reactions: Some patients may experience a momentary sensation of irritation after taking the medicine, but it does not affect the efficacy.
Contraindications: Do not use if allergic to this product.
Precautions: 1. This product should not be taken for a long time; if symptoms do not improve after 3-7 days of use, please consult a physician. 2. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients of this product. 3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using it. 4. Caution is advised for patients with gastritis and peptic ulcers. 5. Caution is advised for patients with severe