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Cura x Cura

Gan Cao甘草

Glycyrrhizae Radix · Licorice Root

Herbs that Tonify the Qi 补气药《神农本草经》

Overview

The great harmonizer: sweet and neutral (warming when honey-fried), it augments the middle, moistens the Lung, eases spasmodic pain, moderates harsh herbs and knits a formula's parts together — hence its presence in more prescriptions than any other herb.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Heart · Lung · Spleen · Stomach

Typical Dosage

1.5–9 g in decoction
甘草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Augments qi, fortifies the middleSpleen-deficient fatigue; honey-fried for heart-qi pulse irregularities.
  • Moistens the Lung, stops coughCough and wheezing of many patterns.
  • Relieves spasmodic painAbdominal and limb cramping — with Bai Shao.
  • Moderates and harmonizesSoftens harsh ingredients and unifies the formula.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Gan Cao

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Fatigue of Spleen-qi deficiency
    - Cough and wheezing
    - Cramping pain
    - As envoy across formulas

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

CoughMuscle crampsFatigue

Contraindications

Cautions

Long-term or high-dose use may cause fluid retention and elevated blood pressure (pseudoaldosteronism); not for damp fullness. Classical incompatibility with Gan Sui, Da Ji, Yuan Hua Hai Zao.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.