Properties: Sweet, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, Liver and Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi
Spleen Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools
Qi and Blood Deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations
Heart Qi Deficiency or Heart Yang Deficiency
- Moistens the Lungs, resolves Phlegm and stops coughing
Lung Heat or Cold
Productive or non-productive coughing
- Moderates spasms and alleviates pain
Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen and legs
- Clears Heat and relieves Fire toxicity
Raw for Toxic Heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores (Chuang Yung)
- Antidote for many toxic substances (internal and topical)
Poisoning
- Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels
Suggested Daily Dosage: 1.5-4.5g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of "eighteen antagonisms". It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage (more than 20g/day) and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in patients with high blood pressure because it may raise aldosterone levels in the blood causing retention of sodium.
Interactions:
- Warfarin: May increase the rate of breakdown, decreasing the effectiveness of warfarin.
- Digoxin: Licorice can decrease potassium levels in the body which may increase the side effects of digoxin.
- Oestrogens: May decrease the effect of oestrogen pills.
- Ethacrynic Acid: May have additive effect causing too low potassium levels.
- Furosemide: May have additive effect causing too low potassium levels.
- Antihypertensive drugs: large amounts of licorice may increase blood pressure, reducing the effect of blood pressure medications.
- Corticosteroids: May cause too low potassium levels.
- Diuretics: May cause too low potassium levels.
- Medications changed by the Cytochrome P450 2B6, 2C9 and 3A4: May increase or decrease the effects of these drugs. For a complete list see the Cytochrome P450 Substrates.
Notable Constituents:
- Glycyrrhizin
Saponin glycoside responsible for the sweet taste, it is 30-50 times the sweetness of sugar. Its aglycone component Enoxolone is structurally similar to cortisone and probably responsible for its anti-inflammatory actions. It also increases prostaglandins in the digestive system, inhibiting gastric secretion but stimulating pancreatic secretion and mucous secretion in the intestines and increasing intestinal motility. It is also responsible for the adverse affects by inhibiting 11-Β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase involved in the conversion of cortisol to cortisone in the kidneys causing retention of sodium and reduction of blood potassium levels resulting in raised blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms or interactions with medications.
- Anethole
Has an odour of anise oil and a sweet taste
- Glabrene
Isoflavene phytoestrogen which acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor and inhibit the formation of melanin in melanocytes
- Glabridin
Isoflavane phytoestrogen used in cosmetics
- Liquiritigenin
Flavanone compound hormone agonist
- Isoliquiritin
Monosaccharide derivative compound that acts as an antineoplastic agent
Appears in 2 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
