The Efficacy and Effects of Drinking Licorice Root Tea
Jan 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Glycyrrhiza (licorice) is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb for replenishing the spleen and enhancing vital energy. For symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, reduced appetite, and loose stools caused by spleen and stomach deficiency, drinking licorice-infused water can improve these conditions by strengthening the spleen and boosting qi, enhancing the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions, promoting digestion and absorption of food, and aiding in the recovery of normal spleen and stomach function. Licorice also has excellent heat-clearing and detoxifying properties and can be used to treat various heat-toxin conditions.
Generally, drinking licorice root water offers various health benefits, including strengthening the spleen and replenishing vital energy (Qi), clearing heat and detoxifying the body, relieving phlegm and suppressing cough, alleviating spasms and pain, and harmonizing the properties of other medicines.
1. Strengthening the Spleen and Replenishing Vital Energy (Qi)
Licorice is a commonly used Chinese herb for strengthening the spleen and replenishing Qi. Drinking licorice root water can improve symptoms caused by spleen and stomach weakness, such as fatigue, weakness, reduced appetite, and loose stools. It enhances the spleen's function of transformation and transportation, promotes digestion and absorption of food, and helps restore normal function to the spleen and stomach.
2. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying
Licorice has excellent properties for clearing heat and detoxifying the body, making it useful for treating various heat-toxin conditions. Drinking licorice root water can exert detoxifying and heat-clearing effects by eliminating internal heat toxins, alleviating symptoms such as local redness, swelling, heat, and pain, promoting wound healing, and relieving symptoms of sore throat.
3. Relieving Phlegm and Suppressing Cough
Licorice helps relieve phlegm and suppress coughing, effectively alleviating symptoms like cough and excessive phlegm. Its active ingredients help thin mucus, promote its expulsion, and reduce airway blockage when consumed as licorice water. Additionally, it provides a protective effect on the respiratory mucosa.
4. Alleviating Spasms and Pain
Licorice has the effect of relieving spasms and pain, making it useful for alleviating various types of pain. For conditions such as epigastric or abdominal cramping pain caused by deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach, or limb spasmodic pain, drinking licorice root water can relieve muscle tension and spasm due to its soothing nature, thereby reducing pain.
5. Harmonizing Medicinal Properties
Licorice has the function of harmonizing various medicines and is often used in Chinese herbal formulas to balance the properties of other herbs. Drinking licorice water appropriately can reduce interactions between different medications. Moreover, glycyrrhizic acid, a component of licorice, has certain detoxifying effects, helping to reduce damage to the liver caused by drug or food poisoning and protecting liver health.
It is recommended to consume licorice water in moderation under the guidance of a physician, avoiding excessive intake. In daily diet, maintaining a balanced dietary structure is advised to support overall health.
