What is licorice? Distinguishing types of licorice, uses, and uses

Licorice is a medium-sized, sweet, non-toxic drug, which is referred to in the three main sutras as Heart, Waste and Pi Vi. The uses of licorice have been verified through remedies in traditional medicine as well as modern scientific studies.

However, when using it, it is necessary to understand it to avoid bringing about side effects affecting health. Now, let’s learn about this medicinal herb through the consultation of Doctor Truong Thi Van – Traditional Medicine Doctor – Vinmec Traditional Medicine Center – Sao Phuong Dong!

What is licorice?

Licorice is a flowering plant native to Asia , legume (Butterfly family) scientifically known as Glycyrrhiza uralensis. In Vietnam, depending on the region, there will be different names such as licorice birth, national elder, …

In our country, licorice was imported from China and then grown in many provinces of Vinh Phu, Hai Hung and Hanoi.

How to prepare licorice?

Usually people will use the stem and roots to make medicine . Depending on the type of processing, the method will be different.

Herbs: Wash the roots, then cut them into slices and then dry or dry them.

Licorice powder: Scrape off the outer skin and cut into pieces, dry and then grind into powder

Licorice powder: This method also shaves off all the outer skin, then soak in wine for about 1 hour, then incubate for 12 hours, then cut it thinly and dry it.

Licorice injection: Infused with honey for dried licorice (According to the ratio of 1kg of licorice, 200mg of honey + 200ml of boiling water). Then let it dry until the licorice smells good.

How to distinguish the types of licorice?

In our country , there are three types of licorice living in different regions, so they have their own identification characteristics:

Ground licorice (male licorice): Grows a lot in the northern midland and mountainous provinces or the southern plains, usually 0.4 – 0.7 m high from the ground. Licorice roots are quite large and will often grow in bunches, if the plant is old, the stem will turn to wood at the base.

The leaves of male licorice have the characteristic of growing singly, symmetrically or in 3-leaf rings . In the summer, flowers will grow from the interstitial leaves, white, and the fruit will be spherical, containing many small seeds inside.

This variety can be harvested all year round , will usually give off a light aroma and a slightly bitter taste then turn sweet . People will often use male licorice to clear heat, detoxify, diuretic, …

Northern licorice: This type will focus on developing underground roots , which can penetrate up to 2m across. The upper stem is a rather weak herbaceous plant, unlike the male licorice, the leaves of this type are compound leaves, oval in shape.

Northern licorice actually originated from China, then was introduced to Vietnam and grows wild in many places such as Son La, Dien Bien, Ha Giang,…

In the summer or early autumn, the plant will flower very beautiful, butterfly-shaped, with a light purple color . This type is only harvested in late autumn or spring after planting for 3-4 years, has a sweet taste , is normal, so it is often used to reduce blood pressure, fight stomach ulcers, reduce swelling and pain and strengthen the immune system.

Licorice rope (Licorice): Licorice belongs to the vine, quite a lot of fibers and small branches . The leaves are shaped like feathers, growing in beautiful ruby clusters.

The fruit of this type is quite small, inside there are red-orange spherical seeds.

Licorice is similar to male licorice , which often grows in the southern plains or some northern provinces such as Lang Son, Hung Yen, Thanh Hoa, …

Uses of licorice

For health

In the article “Northern licorice – a precious medicine from thousands of years old” by Dr. Nguyen Thuy, there are some uses of licorice in Oriental medicine such as being used as a neurotransmitter, treating sore throats, coughs, lots of phlegm, …or digestive diseases, ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.

Besides, licorice also has the effect of detoxifying, regulating the effects of drugs.

In addition, licorice can also be used to treat skin inflammation and infections : A report published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research has shown that the active ingredient Glycyrrhizin in licorice root extract can fight bacteria and Limit skin infections.

In licorice also contains the active ingredient staphylococcus aureus, a substance with antibacterial ability to help improve impetigo, folliculitis, …

For beauty

Not only helps to treat skin problems, but licorice is also used by many women as a mask to treat acne because it contains glabridin.

According to a clinical study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, glabridin can inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces melanin that causes skin pigmentation, by up to 50% without damaging the skin.

Therefore, licorice extract can effectively treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and repair post-acne damage.

Some good ways to use licorice

Usage: Can be decocted into medicine or chewed fresh, used high liquid . In addition, you can also use products containing licorice extract such as tea, licorice candy.

Dosage: In a day, you should not consume too much but only use in the range of 4 – 80g

Some side effects: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that consuming too much licorice will lead to lower potassium levels in the body and cause problems such as high blood pressure, heart rhythm. abnormal heart, convulsive syndrome, congestive heart failure are very dangerous.

Besides, if you want to whiten and treat acne, you can combine licorice powder with some other types such as oatmeal, red bean powder, … and fresh milk, honey to make a mask to help bring effective Unexpected results if used regularly.

Source: Vinmec

Above is some information about licorice, hope the article has brought you useful information.

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