Natural Herb Library

Raw Licorice Root

Chinese
甘草
Pinyin
Gan Cao
Latin
Radix Glycyrrhizae
Botanical illustration of Root of Ural Licorice, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, showing Gan Cao root material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Gan Cao (甘草), this sweet, neutral herb enters the Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach. Traditionally, it tonifies Spleen Qi and supports the middle burner ... raw Gan Cao still nourishes weakness and fatigue, though it is less center-warming than honey-fried licorice, most often applied for fatigue, cough, and sore throat. Modern research has identified Glycyrrhizin among its active constituents.

Part used: Root

Also Known As

Gan Cao Glycyrrhiza Root Unprepared Licorice Root

Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae | Pinyin: Gan Cao | Chinese: 甘草

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Tonifies Spleen Qi and supports the middle burner ... raw Gan Cao still nourishes weakness and fatigue, though it is less center-warming than honey-fried licorice.
  • Moistens the Lungs and stops cough ... it is used for dry or productive cough when a sweet moistening root is appropriate.
  • Clears heat and resolves toxicity ... the raw form is the better licorice lane for sore throat, abscess, and mouth-ulcer patterns where preparation should not blunt the detoxifying direction.
  • Moderates spasms and relieves pain while harmonizing formulas ... licorice remains the classic sweet harmonizer for urgent abdominal pain and mixed-herb prescriptions.

Secondary Actions

  • This page must stay distinct from both prepared licorice siblings ... raw Gan Cao is more heat-clearing and detoxifying, while `prepared-liauorice-root` and `prepared-root-of-ural-licorice` lean more toward support and formula harmony.
  • Raw Gan Cao is one of the most ubiquitous herbs in Chinese medicine, but that familiarity should not obscure the real cardiovascular and electrolyte risks of overuse.

Classic Formulas

  • Jie Geng Tang ... classic throat and Lung formula where Gan Cao helps relieve sore throat while harmonizing the pair.
  • Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang ... famous sweet-sour combination for cramping and pain.
  • Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang and countless harmonizing formulas ... raw licorice often appears as the herb that moderates harshness while adding detoxifying and throat-soothing support.

Classical References

  • Traditional medicine consistently assigns Gan Cao four core roles ... tonifying, stopping cough, relieving toxicity, and harmonizing formulas.
  • The distinction between raw and prepared licorice is a real therapeutic instruction, not just a cosmetic processing detail.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Glycyrrhizin ... the signature triterpene saponin behind both many benefits and major adverse effects
  • Glycyrrhetinic acid ... active metabolite associated with mineralocorticoid-like toxicity
  • Liquiritin, liquiritigenin, and isoliquiritigenin ... major flavonoids repeatedly discussed in pharmacology reviews

Studied Effects

  • A 2020 review of corroborative clinical findings summarized the pharmacological efficacy and safety of licorice root, reinforcing the herb's broad relevance while underscoring dose-related hazards (PMID 31874059).
  • A second 2020 review described licorice as an essential herbal medicine and surveyed its phytochemicals and combination-preparation roles, providing a broad modern context for raw Gan Cao (PMID 31811935).
  • A 2021 narrative review detailed the clinical risk factors of licorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism, including edema, hypertension, hypokalemia, and arrhythmia risk from glycyrrhizin exposure (PMID 34604277).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Uncontrolled hypertension, edema, hypokalemia, or severe heart failure
  • High-dose or prolonged unsupervised use

Cautions

  • Raw licorice is still real licorice ... it can retain sodium, waste potassium, raise blood pressure, and complicate cardiac disease.
  • Because Gan Cao sits in so many formulas, cumulative exposure from multiple products is easy to underestimate.

Drug Interactions

  • Loop or thiazide diuretics ... additive potassium loss and arrhythmia risk
  • Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides ... hypokalemia may increase toxicity risk
  • Corticosteroids ... additive mineralocorticoid-like effects
  • Antihypertensives or antiarrhythmics ... electrolyte shifts may complicate therapy

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Raw Licorice Root used for?

Raw Licorice Root is traditionally used to Tonifies Spleen Qi and supports the middle burner ... raw Gan Cao still nourishes weakness and fatigue, though it is less center-warming than honey-fried licorice., Moistens the Lungs and stops cough ... it is used for dry or productive cough when a sweet moistening root is appropriate., Clears heat and resolves toxicity ... the raw form is the better licorice lane for sore throat, abscess, and mouth-ulcer patterns where preparation should not blunt the detoxifying direction., Moderates spasms and relieves pain while harmonizing formulas ... licorice remains the classic sweet harmonizer for urgent abdominal pain and mixed-herb prescriptions.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2020 review of corroborative clinical findings summarized the pharmacological efficacy and safety of licorice root, reinforcing the herb's broad relevance while underscoring dose-related hazards (PMID 31874059).; A second 2020 review described licorice as an essential herbal medicine and surveyed its phytochemicals and combination-preparation roles, providing a broad modern context for raw Gan Cao (PMID 31811935)..

What are other names for Raw Licorice Root?

Raw Licorice Root is also known as Gan Cao, Glycyrrhiza Root, Unprepared Licorice Root. In TCM: 甘草 (Gan Cao); Radix Glycyrrhizae.

Is Raw Licorice Root safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Raw Licorice Root during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Raw Licorice Root?

Raw Licorice Root should not be used in: Uncontrolled hypertension, edema, hypokalemia, or severe heart failure; High-dose or prolonged unsupervised use. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Raw Licorice Root interact with any medications?

Raw Licorice Root may interact with: Loop or thiazide diuretics ... additive potassium loss and arrhythmia risk; Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides ... hypokalemia may increase toxicity risk; Corticosteroids ... additive mineralocorticoid-like effects; Antihypertensives or antiarrhythmics ... electrolyte shifts may complicate therapy. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.