What is Licorice Root?

Commonly known as sweet grass root, red licorice, powdery licorice, licorice, dense gan, dense grass, country old, powdery grass, sweet grass, sweet root, licorice root: roots are cylindrical, 25 100cm long, 0.6 3.5cm in diameter . The outer skin is uneven. The surface is red-brown or gray-brown, with prominent vertical wrinkles, grooves, pores, and thin fine root marks. It is firm in texture, slightly fibrous in section, yellowish white, and powdery, with obvious ring formation, radial rays, and some cracks. The rhizome is cylindrical with bud marks on the surface and a pith in the middle of the section. Weiqi, sweet and special.

Licorice root

Drug Name: Licorice root
Alias: Sweet grass root, red licorice, powdery licorice, licorice, dense licorice, dense licorice, country old, powdery grass, sweet grass, sweet root, licorice
Foreign name: licorice Roots Northwest Origin
Whether prescription drugs: prescription

Main indications: Replenishing spleen and replenishing qi, clearing heat and detoxifying, expectorant and cough, slowing pain
Main medication contraindications: Not suitable for use with Euphorbia gigantea, Coriander flower, Gansu, seaweed
Dosage form: tablet
Athletes use with caution: Use with caution
Whether to include health insurance: Incorporate

[Scientific name]: Glycyrriza Uralensis Fisch. G. Glabra L.

[Alias]: sweet grass root, red licorice, powder licorice, beautiful grass, dense gan, dense grass, country old, powder grass, sweet grass, sweet root, stick grass

[Category]: Qi tonics (also known as tonics)

[English name]: licorice Roots Northwest Origin

[Latin name]: Radix Glycyrrhiza

[Medicinal parts]: Roots and rhizomes

[Characteristics of medicinal materials]: Licorice: The root is cylindrical, 25 100cm long, and 0.6 3.5cm in diameter. The outer skin is uneven. The surface is red-brown or gray-brown, with prominent vertical wrinkles, grooves, pores, and thin fine root marks. It is firm in texture, slightly fibrous in section, yellowish white, and powdery, with obvious ring formation, radial rays, and some cracks. The rhizome is cylindrical with bud marks on the surface and a pith in the middle of the section. Weiqi, sweet and special.

[Cultivation points]: Arid climate with abundant sunshine, long sunshine and low temperature. It is better to choose sandy loam soil with deep soil layer and good drainage. Breeding with seeds or rhizomes, but growing fast with rhizomes.

[Medicinal properties] Licorice, is a leguminous perennial herb. In late autumn, the pods split, and the kernels walked on the ground with the wind and multiplied naturally. The stem is erect and erect; the root is cylindrical, 34 cm in diameter, 55 cm in size, more than one meter long, and the longest is three or four meters.

[Growing conditions] Licorice grows mostly in arid and semi-arid desert grasslands, desert edges and loess hilly areas. It is also easy to reproduce in the fields and riverbanks of the Yellow River irrigation area. It has strong adaptability and strong resistance to stress. It is indeed a drought-resistant expert in the plant world and a pioneer in fighting sand. [Edit this paragraph] Medicinal effects

[Indications]: Tonify the spleen and replenish qi, clear heat and detoxify, expectorant and cough, relieve pain and analgesic, and reconcile various medicines. It is used for spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough and sputum, abdomen and limb cramps, pain, carbuncle and sore, alleviating drug toxicity and severity.

[Usage and dosage]: Oral administration: Jiantang, 3-9g (30-60g in large dose). Topical: appropriate amount, wash the stain with decoction;

[Notice of use]: Not suitable for use with Euphorbia pulcherrima, Corydalis, Gansui, Seaweed

[Use of licorice] Licorice is flat, sweet, and belongs to the Twelve Classics. It has pharmacological effects such as detoxification, expectorant, analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-cancer. In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice replenishes the spleen and nourishes qi, nourishes the cough and nourishes the lungs, relieves detoxification, and reconcile 100 medicines. The clinical application is divided into "life use" and "honey burn". It is mainly used for sore throat, sore throat, ulcers, gastrointestinal ulcers, antidote, food poisoning, etc .; Honeyburn treats spleen and stomach dysfunction, thin stools, fatigue and fever, cough, and palpitations.

For heart qi deficiency, palpitations, pulse knot generation, spleen and stomach qi deficiency, fatigue and fatigue. The former is often combined with Guizhi, such as Guizhi Licorice Soup and Zhigancao Soup. The latter is often used equivalently to Dangshen and Baizhu, such as Sijunzitang and Lizhongwan.
It is used for sore throat, sore throat and sore. Can be used alone, orally or externally, or compatible applications. Sore ulcers, often used with honeysuckle and forsythia, play a role in clearing heat and detoxifying, such as Xianfang live life drink. Sore throat, often used with bellflower, such as bellflower soup. If pesticides and food are poisoned, mung beans or decoction with Fengshui are often used.
For asthma and cough. Can be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Such as Erchen decoction for treating wet phlegm and cough; Linggan Wuwei Jiangxin decoction for treating cold phlegm and cough; Sang Xing decoction for treating dry phlegm and cough; platycodon decoction for treating lung poisoning and cough due to fever and sputum; Saliva with licorice and ginger soup. In addition, wind-heat cough, wind-cold cough, and hot-sputum cough are often used in combination.
It is used for stomach pain, abdominal pain and acute gastrocnemius pain. It is often used together with peony medicine, which can significantly enhance the curative effect of treating ache, such as Shaoyao Gancao Decoction.
Used to reconcile the potency of certain drugs. Such as flavoring Chengqi Decoction, use this product to ease the diarrhea effect of rhubarb and thenardite and its stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, this product is often used in many prescriptions to reconcile drugs. In addition, modern use for gastric and duodenal ulcers is often equivalent to squid bone and corrugated. This product also has a diuretic effect, so hay tips are often used as an adjuvant for treating hot shower pain. Western medicine theory found that licorice has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic functions, so it is mainly used as a moderator in Western medicine. Relieves cough, expectorant, and treats sore throat; licorice or glycyrrhetic acid has a deoxycorticosterone effect, which has a good effect on chronic adrenal insufficiency; licorice preparation can promote gastric mucus formation and secretion, and prolong epithelial cells Longevity, anti-inflammatory activity, commonly used in the treatment of chronic ulcers and duodenal ulcers; flavonoids of licorice have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and anti-acid effects; licorice is also one of the main raw materials of mandan. Licorice is also widely used in the food industry to refine candies, preserves and chewing gum. Licorice extract is an emulsifier for the manufacture of chocolate. It can also increase the taste and aroma of beer, improve the consistency and color of dark beer, and make some soft drinks and liqueurs; cigarette flavor. Licorice is also widely used in the chemical and printing and dyeing industries.

[Guo Lao-King of Medicines] Licorice has a long history in medicine. As early as more than 2,000 years ago, "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" listed it as a superior medicine. Southern medicine doctor Tao Hongjing respected Glycyrrhiza as "Guo Lao" and stated: "This grass is the king of many medicines, and few people use it." "Guo Lao", the emperor's name. The reason for admiring licorice as medicine is as explained by Li Shizhen in "Compendium of Materia Medica": "The licorice is the king among the medicines, cures 72 kinds of lactolithiasis, and relieves 1,200 herbs. Many medicines are effective, so it is called "Guo Lao". "According to determination, the content of glycyrrhizic acid in licorice is about 10%, and there are many ingredients such as mannitol and glucose. Because glycyrrhizic acid is 50 times sweeter than sucrose, licorice is truly a "sweet grass".

[Licorice processing Two grasses and five sections] Mining in spring and autumn, removing the roots and drying. After processing, the licorice root strictly adheres to the traditional craftsmanship when processing, so that the skin is clean and dry, with a single straight, knife at both ends, a new caliber, root rhizomes, and classification according to categories. The licorice root is divided into "two grasses" and the root is divided into "five knots" according to the location and quality of the material. The stem is divided into two grasses: white powder grass, that is, fresh grass with peeled skin; large grass, that is, a stem suitable for medicinal use. The root is divided into five sections: large section, middle section, small section, top, and bun.

[Note] It should not be used together with Euphorbia, Coriander, and Gansu. Do not eat with carp, it will poison you.

[Storage] Store in a ventilated and dry place to prevent moth.

[Source] This product is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. Or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Excavate in spring and autumn, remove fibrous roots, and dry.

[Preparation method] Remove impurities, wash, moisten, cut thick slices, and dry.

[Identification]

(1) Cross section of this product: The cork layer is a series of brown cells. The cortex is narrow. The phloem has broad rays, many bends, and often cracks; the fibers are bundled, non-wooden or micro-woody, and the surrounding thin-walled cells often contain calcium oxalate cubes; the sieve tube group is often deformed by compression. The formation of layers within the bundle is obvious. Xylem rays are 3 to 5 rows of cells; there are many ducts with a diameter of about 160 m; wood fibers are bundled, and the surrounding thin-walled cells also contain calcium oxalate cubes. Root center without pith; rhizome center with pith. The powder was light brown. The fibers are bundled, with a diameter of 8-14 m, wall thickness, and micro-woodification. The surrounding thin-walled cells contain calcium oxalate cubes, forming crystalline fibers. Calcium oxalate cubes are common. Bordered reticular ducts are larger, and rare reticulated ducts. The cork cells are reddish brown, polygonal, and slightly woody.

(2) Take 1g of the powder, add 40ml of ether, heat and reflux for 1 hour, filter, add 30ml of methanol to the drug residue, heat and reflux for 1 hour, filter, evaporate the filtrate, and add 40ml of water to dissolve the residue. Three times, 20 ml each time, combined with n-butanol solution, washed three times with water, evaporated to dryness, and 5 ml of methanol was added to the residue to dissolve the solution. Another 1 g of licorice control material was prepared, and the control material solution was prepared in the same way. Then take the ammonium glycyrrhizinate reference solution, add methanol to make a solution containing 2mg per 1ml, and use it as the reference solution. According to the thin layer chromatography (Appendix VI B) test, draw 1 ~ 2l of each of the three solutions, and point them on the same silica gel G thin layer plate prepared with 1% sodium hydroxide solution, and use ethyl acetate-formic acid-ice Acetic acid-water (15: 1: 1: 2) is used as a developing agent. Unfold, remove, dry, spray with 10% sulfuric acid ethanol solution, heat at 105 ° C until the spots become clear, and view under an ultraviolet light (365nm). . In the chromatogram of the test product, the fluorescent spots of the same color were displayed at the positions corresponding to the chromatogram of the control medicinal materials; at the corresponding positions of the chromatogram of the reference materials, the same orange-yellow fluorescent spots were displayed.

[Content determination] According to high performance liquid chromatography (Appendix VI D). Chromatographic conditions and system suitability tests use octadecylsilane bonded silica as a filler; methanol-0.2mol / L ammonium acetate solution-glacial acetic acid (67: 33: 1) as the mobile phase; the detection wavelength is 250nm. The theoretical number of plates calculated from the peak of glycyrrhizin monoammonium salt should not be less than 2000. Preparation of reference solution: Take about 10mg of glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt reference substance, weigh it accurately, place it in a 50ml volumetric flask, dissolve with mobile phase and dilute to the mark, and shake to obtain (each 1ml contains glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt control 0.2mg, equivalent to 0.1959mg of glycyrrhizic acid). Preparation of the test solution. Take about 0.3g of the powder in this product, weigh it accurately, put it in a 50ml measuring bottle, add about 45ml of mobile phase, ultrasonic treatment (power 250W, frequency 20kHz) for 30 minutes, remove, let cool, and add mobile phase To the scale, shake well, filter and get. The measurement method accurately sucked 10 l of each of the reference solution and the test solution, and injected them into the liquid chromatograph for measurement. This product contains no less than 2.0% glycyrrhizic acid (C42H62O16).

[Sexual flavor return classics] sweet, flat. Go to the heart, lungs, spleen, and stomach.

[Indications] Tonify the spleen and replenish qi, clear heat and detoxify, expectorant and cough, relieve pain, relieve pain, and reconcile various medicines. It is used for spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough and sputum, abdomen and limb cramps, pain, carbuncle and sore, alleviating drug toxicity and severity.

[Usage and dosage] 1.5-9g.

[Note] It should not be used in combination with Euphorbia gigantea, Lihua, Gansu.

[Storage] Store in a ventilated and dry place to prevent moth.

[Preparation] licorice extract

[Excerpt] "National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine" [edit this paragraph] habits profile alias sweet grass. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) Is used as medicine by taking roots and rhizomes. It is the most commonly used medicine in clinical practice. Raw licorice can clear heat and detoxify, moisturize the lungs and relieve cough, and reconcile various medicinal properties; Zhigan licorice can replenish the spleen and nourish qi, and has a large clinical dosage and large export volume. In addition to medicinal products, licorice is also widely used as a pastry additive in food, and its sweetness is 100 times that of sucrose. Western countries import licorice in large quantities, extract glycyrrhetic acid from it, and cure AIDS. At the time of the western development, the role of licorice is better, returning farmland to forests, building beautiful mountains and rivers, and strengthening soil and water conservation. Farmers in northern Shaanxi and the people in the west reported that licorice seeds can be germinated just by dropping them to the ground, and the drought resistance is extremely strong. Licorice grows in northwest, north and northeast China.

(2) Plant characteristics: erect genus, leaves alternate, present number of odd-numbered compound leaves, 7-17 small leaflets, oval-ovate, racemes axillary, lavender, butterfly-shaped flowers. Fruits oblong, sometimes sickle-shaped or curved in circles, densely covered with brown bristle-like glandular hairs. Oblate seeds. Flowering from June to July, fruiting from July to September.

(3) Growth characteristics like dry climate, cold hardiness, wild sandy soil cultivation on dry calcium, good drainage and low groundwater level. Avoid acid soils with high groundwater levels and floodplains. The soil is neutral or slightly alkaline.

(Four) cultivation techniques

1. Reproductive methods can be sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction (fast growth). In the autumn, the depth is 30 to 45 cm. The base fertilizer is 37,500 kg per hectare. After turning, it is raked and the seeds reproduce. The next spring sowing in April, the seed coat is ground, or soaked with warm water, sand hiding for two months. Then, soak it in warm water at 60 ° C for 4 ~ 6 hours. Remove the seeds and put them in a warm place. Cover them with a wet cloth and rinse with water twice a day. Sowing in July-August, no seed germination, can be seeded and hole-seeded, 1.5 cm ditch with a row spacing of 30 cm, the seeds are evenly scattered in the ditch, covered with 2 to 3 cm of soil. Hole sowing: Plants are 5 cm apart and 5 seeds are planted in each hole. After covering the soil, we must pay attention to the close contact between the seeds and the soil. The soil must be watered, and 30 to 37.5 kg of seeds per hectare. Rhizome breeding: Combined with spring and autumn mining of Gan Li, thick roots are used for medicinal purposes. Fine rhizomes are cut into 4-5 cm segments with 2 to 3 buds on top. Rows are 30 cm apart and 10 cm deep trenches are planted. The plant spacing is 15 cm. The roots are laid flat, the soil is flat and watered.

2. Before and after emergence in the field, the soil should be kept moist, and the soil should be watered when it is dry. The seedlings will grow 2 to 3 true leaves. After the rhizomes emerge from the ground, cultivate the soil, remove weeds, and prevent overgrown grasses. Intercropping between the first and second years and grain crops, and rational use of land. Before freezing, apply 2000-2500 kg of farm fertilizer.

3 Pest Control

(1) After the rust is attacked by fungi, yellow-brown blister spots appear on the back of the leaves, and brown powder is emitted after rupture. It is a polyspore pile and multiple spores of pathogenic bacteria. A brown-black winter spore pile is formed in August and September. Control method: Collect the diseased plants and burn them. Initially spray 0.3-0.4 Baumeduo sulfur mixture or 97% antirust steel 400 times liquid.

(2) After brown spot disease is infected by fungi, the leaves produce round and irregularly shaped lesions with grayish brown at the center and brown edges, and gray and black molds on the front and back of the lesion. Control method: The diseased plants are burned together. Initially spray 1: 1 to 1: 1 to 16O Bordeaux solution or 70% methyl tobrut wettable powder 1500 to Z00O times liquid.

(3) After the powdery mildew is infected by the semi-harmonic fungi in the fungus, the powdery powder is produced on the front and back of the leaves. Control method: spray 0.2-0.3 Baumedu stone sulfur mixture.

(4) Aphids are also known as honey bugs and greasy bugs. Adults and nymphs suck the juice of the stems and leaves, causing the stems and leaves to turn yellow when they are severe. Control method: clear the garden in winter and bury the plants and fallen leaves deeply. Spray 50% fenitrothion 1000-2000 times solution or 40% dimethoate EC 1500-2000 times solution or 80% dichlorvos EC 1500 times solution during spraying period, spray once every 7-10 days, several times in a row.

(5) Starscream occurred around August and was severely damaged around September, mainly invading leaves and inflorescences. After the leaves were damaged, the leaf color changed from green to yellow and finally withered. This worm is mostly hidden on the back of the leaf. Control method: 0.2-0.5 Bameidu stone sulfur mixture can be sprayed with rice soup or pasta water.

(5) Harvesting and processing seeds are propagated for 3 to 4 years, and rhizomes can be harvested for 2 to 3 years. From late September to early October in autumn, the stems and leaves on the ground are withered. Licorice roots are deep and must be dug deep. Do not cut or damage the root bark. Remove the residual stems after digging. Dirt, do not wash with water, separate the main root and side roots while it is fresh, remove the reed heads, hairs, and branches, dry to half dry, bundle into small, and then dry to full dry; can also be harvested before licorice stems and leaves unearthed in spring Digging, but the quality of excavation in autumn is better. [Edit this paragraph]

Origin of licorice Licorice is one of the most widely used drugs in Chinese medicine. Its medicinal properties are gentle and can reconcile various medicines. Therefore, in many prescriptions, it is called "the finale", and there is also an interesting legend that the "Ganguo guy" surrounds the discovery of licorice. Once upon a time, there was an old doctor in a certain village with excellent medical skills. Once, he went to see a doctor outside, and left the apprentice a few packs of medicine prescribed in advance, ready to deal with patients from home. Who knew that he hadn't returned for a few days, and the remaining packs of medicine were almost running out. The apprentice couldn't, but had to chop up the sweet dried wood for the boiling water in the courtyard and shredded it, claiming it was left by the master when he left. Who knows that those patients with weak spleen and stomach, patients with cough and sputum, patients with sore throat, patients with sore throat, children with fetal poisoning in children have eaten these sweet dry wood, and all are well Already. This dried firewood is licorice. Since then, licorice has been used in medicine and has been used ever since.

Licorice, also known as honeygrass, is named for its sweet taste. It has also been known as "Lingcao" and "Guo Lao" since ancient times. Licorice is the dried roots and rhizomes of the legume perennial herb licorice, licorice, yellow licorice, and licorice. Mainly produced in northern China, famous for those produced in Inner Mongolia, Gansu and other places. There are powder licorice (peeled licorice) and licorice with licorice in the commercial herbs. Licorice powder, also known as powder grass, is flat on the outside, light yellow, fibrous, and longitudinal wrinkles are preferred; licorice with licorice is thin and tight, with wrinkles, reddish brown, solid, powdery feet, cross-section Yellow and white are preferred. In medicine, powdery licorice is better than licorice.

Licorice is sweet and flat. Human heart, lungs, spleen and stomach meridians. Those who are born to this product (raw licorice and powdery licorice) can cure fire and detoxify, moisturize the lungs, expel phlegm, and relieve cough. It is used to treat sore throat, as well as drugs, food poisoning, and cough and asthma. It can be used to replenish qi after burning. Moderate, analgesic and analgesic, soothing medicine. It is used to treat the symptoms of insufficient heart qi, palpitations, pulse generation, weak spleen and stomach, insufficient blood, fatigue, and cramps in the abdomen. Licorice's properties are relieved, and can be raised or lowered. It can be used in combination with various drugs such as tonics, laxatives, cold medicines, warm medicines, cold medicines, etc.

Licorice is the root and rhizome of the legume perennial herb licorice. The part of the reed head at the upper end of the licorice root is called the licorice head, and the tip of the root or the small root is called the licorice tip, and it can also be used as medicine. Excavated in autumn, dried in sections for backup. Glycyrrhiza uralensis can be used raw or honeyburned. Those who use it are called raw licorice, and users who use it are called licorice.

Mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Qinghai, Xinjiang and other places.

Licorice is sweet and flat, raw products are cool, hot products are warm, non-toxic, and can enter the heart, spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. Function Yiqi Buzhong, relieve pain, relieve phlegm and cough, clear heat and detoxify, reconcile various medicines. It is used for treating spleen and stomach weakness, lack of appetite for food, abdominal pain, diarrhea, tiredness and fever, coughing in the lungs, shortness of heart palpitations, and shortness of breath; it is used for sore throat, sore throat, sore throat, and antidote to food poisoning. "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" lists licorice as top grade, saying that licorice has strong bones, long muscles, strength and detoxification, and can cure cold, hot and evil qi of the internal organs and gold sores. "Famous Doctors' Records" says that licorice can warm up and down the air, relieve cough and thirst, and relieve one hundred drugs. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that glycyrrhizin contains a large amount of glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizin, isoliquiritin, isoliquiritin, neoglycyrrhizin, and neoisoliquiritin. It has anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-tumor, anti-HIV, anti-allergic, detoxification, antitussive, analgesic, antispasmodic, lower blood cholesterol and increase bile secretion. In addition to traditional uses, it is currently commonly used in the treatment of peptic ulcer, tumors, hyperlipidemia, Addison's disease, Sheehan's syndrome, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, viral hepatitis, schistosomiasis, malaria, platelets Reduced purpura, congenital myotonia, thrombotic vasculitis, uterine erosion, conjunctivitis, scleritis, acute iridocyclitis, contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, eczema, skin cleft, AIDS, etc. Licorice extract can cover the inflamed pharyngeal mucosa after oral administration, relieve the irritation of inflammation and play an antitussive effect. Glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin, etc. of Glycyrrhiza can reduce or adsorb various toxic substances such as ammonium chloride, histamine, chloral hydrate, phenylarsenic, liter of mercury, tetrodotoxin, snake venom, diphtheria toxin, tetanus toxin and other detoxification effects. . Glycyrrhizin extract and glycyrrhetic acid have significant inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, Amoeba and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Licorice is widely produced, rich in medicinal sources, and low in price. It can be described as everywhere, so it is common grass. However, from ancient times to today, the universal application and pharmaceutical value of licorice is very extraordinary. Therefore, licorice is extraordinary. ! Of course, licorice is not suitable for everyone, and the more beneficial it is, if it is taken in large quantities for a long time, it can cause edema, increased blood pressure, decreased blood potassium, abdominal fullness, and sluggish appetite. In addition, licorice is opposite to seaweed, gansui, euphorbia, and sedge flower, and cannot be used clinically.

Pharmacological effects related to efficacy indications Licorice has the effects of nourishing the spleen and replenishing qi, clearing heat and detoxifying, expectorant and cough, slowing down analgesic and pain, and reconciling various medicines. It is used for spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough and sputum, abdomen and limb cramps, pain, carbuncle and sore, alleviating drug toxicity and severity. "Beilu" records: "Central qi, injury cough, warming meridians, replenishing blood gas, relieving a hundred drugs." "Rihuazi Materia Medica" records: "Requisite soul and soul. Make up for five labors and seven injuries, all falsehood Damage, consternation, boredom, forgetfulness. Tong Jiu Ji, Li Bai Mai, Yi Jing Yang Qi, strong bones and bones, relieve cold and heat. "

(L) Adrenocortical hormone-like effects Licorice extract, glycyrrhizin, and glycyrrhetic acid have deoxycorticosterone-like effects on a variety of animals, can promote sodium and water retention, increase potassium excretion, and show mineralocorticoid-like effects; Licorice extract and glycyrrhizin can cause rat thymus atrophy, increase adrenal weight, decrease eosinophils and lymphocytes in blood, increase free 17-hydroxycorticosterone in urine, and show glucocorticoid-like effects.

The mechanism of glucocorticoid-like action:

promote the synthesis of corticosteroids;

Glycyrrhetinic acid is similar in structure to corticosteroids and can competitively inhibit the metabolic inactivation of corticosteroids in the liver, thereby indirectly increasing the blood concentration of corticosteroids;

Both have similar chemical structures and have direct corticosteroid-like effects.

(2) Regulating the body's immune function Licorice has different components that enhance and suppress the body's immune function. Glycyrrhizin can enhance the body's immune function, activate and proliferate on mouse spleen lymphocytes, exhibit mitogen properties, and work synergistically with ConA. Glycyrrhizic acid mainly shows the effect of enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and enhancing cellular immune function, but it has inhibitory effect on humoral immune function. After the application of glycyrrhizin in 20 patients with hyperlipidemia, the levels of plasma immunoglobulin IgGIgA and complement C3 were significantly reduced. Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate and LX also have immunosuppressive effects. Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate can inhibit the incorporation of 3H-TdR into rat lymphocyte DNA. LX intraperitoneal injection can significantly inhibit the production of IgG in immunized mice.

(3) Antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic licorice flavonoids have inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, yeast, fungi, streptococcus, etc. Glycyrrhizin has significant inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, HIV), hepatitis virus, vesicular oral virus, adenovirus type III, herpes simplex virus type , and vaccinia virus. Licorice has corticosteroid-like anti-inflammatory effects, chemical swelling of the auricles in mice, increased permeability of abdominal capillaries, cotton ball granulomatosis in rats, swelling of formaldehyde-induced rat feet, arthritis in carrageenan, etc. Both have an inhibitory effect. The anti-inflammatory active ingredients are monoammonium glycyrrhizinate, glycyrrhetinic acid, and FM100. The combined application of FM100 and paeoniflorin has a synergistic inhibitory effect on rat foot swelling. Glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt administered to guinea pigs by intraperitoneal injection can significantly inhibit the occurrence of bronchial asthma in guinea pigs, which is manifested by a significantly longer asthma. Glycyrrhizin can significantly inhibit guinea pig skin reactions caused by egg white, and reduce anaphylactic shock symptoms. Licorice decoction can inhibit passive skin allergic reactions in rats and reduce serum IgE antibody levels in mice. Isoliquiritigenin and other components can inhibit the activity of hyaluronidase and inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells induced by immune stimulation.

(4) Antitussive and expectorant licorice extract can be covered on the inflamed pharyngeal mucosa after the mouth is contained, so as to relieve the irritation of inflammation and achieve antitussive effect. Licorice can also promote the secretion of throat and bronchial mucosa, make sputum easy to cough, and exhibit expectorant and antitussive effects. Glycyrrhetinic acid, licorice flavonoids, and licorice stream extracts were administered by gavage to alleviate cough caused by ammonia and sulfur dioxide in mice, and all had expectorant effects. Glycyrrhetinic acid choline salt subcutaneous injection has obvious antitussive effect on guinea pigs inhaled ammonia and cough caused by electrical stimulation of cat's upper laryngeal nerve.

(5) Effects on the digestive system Anti-ulcer licorice powder, licorice extract, glycyrrhetic acid, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizin, isoliquiritin and FM100 have inhibitory effects on various experimental ulcer models in animals and can promote ulcer healing . Gastric ketones (ie, the sodium succinate disodium salt of glycyrrhetic acid) can accelerate the healing of gastric ulcers and improve gastric mucosal resistance. FM100 administration can completely inhibit gastric ulcer formation in rats caused by ligation of pylorus, and inhibit gastric acid secretion caused by acetylcholine and histamine.

Anti-ulcer mechanism of licorice:

Inhibit gastric juice and gastric acid secretion;

Absorb gastric acid directly in the stomach to reduce gastric acidity;

Increase the caprospermine component of gastric mucosa cells to protect the gastric mucosa from damage;

promote the regeneration of gastrointestinal epithelial cells (such as licorice zinc);

Stimulate gastric mucosal epithelial cells to synthesize and release endogenous prostaglandins with mucosal protective effect.

Antispasmodic FM100 significantly inhibited the intestinal tract of isolated guinea pigs. Flavonoids such as FM100 and isoliquiritigenin have significant antispasmodic effects on intestinal spasm contractions caused by acetylcholine, barium chloride, and histamine. The gastric smooth muscle movement gradually weakened after glycyrrhizae was administered to rabbits, and the gastric movement stopped almost completely after 30 minutes. The active ingredients of the antispasmodic action of licorice are mainly flavonoids, among which the action of glycyrrhizin is the strongest. FM100 has a synergistic effect with the antispasmodic effect of paeoniflorin.

The liver-protecting glycyrrhiza preparation and glycyrrhizin have obvious protective effects on various experimental liver injury in animals. Glycyrrhiza flavonoids, given by gavage, can significantly reduce serum ALT and lactate dehydrogenase activity and increase liver malondialdehyde content in mice with acute liver injury induced by CCI4, and can also inhibit alcohol-induced liver malondialdehyde in mice Increased aldehyde content and depletion of reducing glutathione.

Intramuscular injection of glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhetic acid can inhibit experimental cirrhosis caused by CCI4, reduce liver collagen and serum gamma-globulin content, and reduce serum ALT levels, which can inhibit liver fibrous tissue Hyperplasia and reduction of interstitial inflammation, pathological histological examination can also significantly reduce liver necrosis and balloon-like degeneration.

Diammonium glycyrrhizinate has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, protects liver cell membranes and improves liver function.

Glycyrrhizic acid has a direct inhibitory effect on HBV, and has an inhibitory effect on the extracellular secretion of hepatitis B virus-infected cell surface antigen (HBsAg) in vitro.

(6) Detoxified licorice has a certain detoxification effect on intoxicants (toxins) and drug poisoning (dichlorvos, camptothecin, cisplatin, caffeine, barbiturate), which can alleviate the symptoms of poisoning and reduce the death of poisoned animals. rate. The active ingredient of detoxification of licorice is mainly glycyrrhizin. The mechanism of licorice detoxification is:

Adsorb poisons, glucuronic acid released after hydrolysis of glycyrrhizin can be combined with poisons containing carboxyl and hydroxyl groups to reduce the absorption of poisons;

physical and chemical precipitation of toxicants to reduce absorption, such as licorice can precipitate alkaloids;

Adrenocortical hormone-like effects, and improve the regulation of pituitary-adrenal system, improve the body's tolerance to poisons;

Increase the content of mouse liver cytochrome P-450 and enhance the detoxification function of the liver.

2. Other pharmacological effects

(1) Intraperitoneal injection of anti-arrhythmic licorice extract on chloroform-induced ventricular fibrillation in mice, epinephrine-induced rabbit arrhythmia, aconitine-induced arrhythmia in rats, barium chloride and venosin K Induced arrhythmia in guinea pigs has an inhibitory effect, and can slow the heart rate and prolong the P-R and QT intervals of the electrocardiogram of anesthetized rats. Licorice total flavonoids can extend the latency of arrhythmia-induced arrhythmia in mice, reduce the incidence of chloroform-induced ventricular fibrillation in mice, and increase ouabain-induced guinea pig ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and The dose used for cardiac arrest.

(2) Lipid-lowering, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-atherogenic effects: Glycyrrhizin can reduce blood cholesterol in rabbits with experimental hypercholesterolemia and hypertensive cholesterol effect. Glycyrrhizin is injected intramuscularly at 10 mg / kg daily for 5 consecutive days, which has a significant lipid-lowering effect on experimental rabbits with hyperlipidemia: the plasma cholesterol control group is 89 ± 4 mg%, and the administration group is 43 ± 4 mg%; plasma The triglyceride control group was 168 ± 10 mg%, and the administration group was 90 ± 4 mg%. A small dose of glycyrrhizin (2mg / day) can reduce cholesterol and atherosclerosis in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits within a certain period of time. 20mg / day can prevent the development of aorta and coronary atherosclerosis. But at higher doses (40mg / day), it was not effective. Glycyrrhetinate (10mg / kg, orally) has a blood cholesterol, lipoprotein, and -lipoprotein triglyceride effect in hyperlipidemic rats and experimental atherosclerotic rabbits; And the content of cholesterol and -lipoprotein in the liver of rats and rats decreased, and the hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects of glycyrrhetic acid salts were stronger than those of polymeric saponins. In vitro experiments have shown that glycyrrhizin 1 mM can inhibit 50% hemolysis of CP50 and AP50. In the inhibitory part, the same dose was used in Cis' A-Tee hydrolytic energy system to see a 35% inhibitory effect. Therefore, it was concluded that the inhibition of Cis affected the complement titer CH50. The role in AP is the reduction of C3. As the complement response is inhibited by glycyrrhizin, the related inflammatory process response tends to ease and rest, the lipid system and liver function improve, and the pathological process of arterial disease is blocked.

(3) Inhibition of platelet aggregation Iso glycyrrhizin in licorice has an antiplatelet aggregation effect, and its strength in vitro is equivalent to aspirin. The flavonoid-rich component of licorice leaves has a strong inhibitory effect on collagen or ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and the inhibitory effect on the latter is 17.7 times stronger than aspirin.

(4) Antitumor glycyrrhizic acid significantly inhibited the occurrence of aflatoxin and diethylnitrosamine-induced precancerous lesions in rats. The flavonoid mixture extracted from Glycyrrhiza uralensis can effectively prevent the carcinogenic effect of croton oil on mouse skin.

To sum up, the pharmacological effects related to the effects of licorice tonic and spleen Qi are adrenocortical hormone-like effects and regulate the body's immune function; the pharmacological effects related to its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects are antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. ; The effects related to its analgesic and analgesic effects are anti-ulcer, antispasmodic and hepatoprotective effects; and the effects of expectorant, cough, and reconciliation drugs are related to its antitussive, expectorant, and detoxifying effects.

Glycyrrhiza also has anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, platelet aggregation and anti-tumor effects.

The main active ingredients of glycyrrhiza are glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizin and isoflavones. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- In the treasure trove of the motherland's medicine, licorice is a common and important drug. It is said to be ordinary because it is rich in medicine sources and low in price, and it is important because it plays a subtle role in many aspects of Chinese medicine prescriptions.

Since ancient times, licorice has been valued by doctors. The first ancient Chinese monograph on traditional Chinese medicine in China, "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic", listed licorice as "top grade." In the Fifth Century AD, Tao Hongjing, a famous doctor, named her as a beautiful herb, honeygrass, and an honorary title of "Old Country". Tao Hongjing said: "The old man is the emperor's name, although he is not the monarch and the monarch's sect, it is Neng'an and grass and stone, and it is the solution to all poisons." He also said that licorice "is the master of many medicines, and there are few people who do not use it." Seventh-century Zhen Quan also said that it "reconciles all medicines, so it has the title of national veteran."

However, licorice is not only responsible for reconciling various medicines, it is also not limited to being able to cure various poisons, it does have many functions. "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" records that licorice has strong bones, long muscles, strength and detoxification, and can cure cold, hot and evil qi and golden sores of the internal organs. "Famous Doctors' Records" says that licorice can warm up and down the air, relieve cough and thirst, and relieve one hundred drugs. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" by Li Shizhen, an outstanding medical scientist, said that it can synergize with other products, have the merits of the veterans, cure all evils, and become the king. Praise Dili and others do not know, but converge on the power of God and do not go with it, can be described as good in medicine. There is a difference between licorice and raw use.

Traditional Chinese medicine has long been summarized in clinical practice, where licorice is used for health, moxibustion is used for supplementation. Because of its sweet taste, it has the advantages of clearing heat, reducing fire, and detoxifying. It is necessary to use raw licorice to treat sores, edema, eczema, and fever. For example, after the honey is burned, the sexual taste becomes sweet and warm, and the effect has also changed. It has the effects of dispersing cold in the middle, removing evil heat, nourishing the spleen and stomach, and nourishing the lungs and qi.

The root and stem of Glycyrrhiza uralensis is used as medicine, and its ingredients contain glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetic acid, glycyrrhizin, reducing sugar, starch, gum and minerals. Licorice is sweetened mainly by glycyrrhizin.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis can inhibit gastric acid secretion in gastrointestinal ulcers with hyperacidity, thereby producing a certain therapeutic effect. Licorice extract can cover the inflamed pharyngeal mucosa after oral administration, relieve the irritation of inflammation and play an antitussive effect.

The detoxification function of glycyrrhizin is mainly the result of the reaction between glucuronic acid decomposed by glycyrrhizic acid and toxin. Experiments have shown that licorice and various preparations can eliminate or reduce the toxicity of ammonium chloride, histamine, chloral hydrate, phenylarsenic, and mercury; it also has a certain detoxification effect on tetrodotoxin, snake venom, diphtheria toxin, and tetanus toxin. Its detoxification effect is effectively glycyrrhizin. After hydrolysis, licorice can release glucuronic acid and detoxify by combining with poisons containing hydroxyl or carboxyl groups. In addition, glycyrrhizin has an adsorption effect on poisons, and its detoxification effect is directly proportional to the adsorption rate. Like medicinal charcoal, it absorbs poisons in the stomach, reduces the absorption of poisons and detoxifies. Glycyrrhizin extract and glycyrrhetic acid have inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, E.coli, Amoeba and Trichomonas in vitro. Glycyrrhetinic acid can enhance the inhibitory effect of berberine on S. aureus in test tubes. Licorice preparations have a certain effect on a variety of skin inflammation and skin allergic diseases, such as contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, eczema, dermatitis rash and so on. It is also used in ophthalmology to treat herpes conjunctivitis, scleritis, and acute iris ciliary body inflammation. It has certain effect on the treatment of primary thrombocytopenic purpura. In addition, licorice has the effect of lowering high blood pressure cholesterol, as well as analgesic and antispasmodic effects.

Recently reported that research on glycyrrhizin in licorice can inhibit the formation of AIDS virus spots and changes in infected cells, thereby inhibiting the reproduction of AIDS, with an inhibition rate of 98%. Former Soviet Turkmenia AIDS Control Center, etc. The unit is isolated from licorice and formulated into a drug nigligin which effectively inhibits the reproduction of HIV. Experts believe that its structure is similar to azide deoxythymidine developed in the United States, but it has no side effects and is clinically proven to be a very effective treatment. AIDS drugs. Oral tablets made from extracts of Ke Aike, a traditional Chinese medicine, such as licorice root, produced by Lianyungang Tianqing Pharmaceutical Factory, are used in the treatment of 60 patients with AIDS, and have achieved the effect of improving symptoms, physical symptoms and improving immune function of patients. The effect was proved by pharmacological experiments. Licorice has less toxic side effects, but if taken in large amounts for a long period of time, it can cause symptoms such as edema, increased blood pressure, and decreased blood potassium, as well as digestive disorders such as abdominal distension and appetite. If you can properly control the dosage, the above situation is Avoidable. In summary, the role of licorice is quite extensive. From ancient times to the present, it has shown a variety of different control effects in clinical applications. With the development of modern science, the use of biology, chemistry, pharmacology and other disciplines and technologies to further study licorice Its medicinal value and mechanism of action, which is conducive to the development of licorice and its wide clinical application. Licorice as the "old man" in the traditional treasure house of medicine emits a more brilliant light. ^[1]

What is Licorice Root?

Licorice root

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