Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle
Aliases：Honey-fried licorice root、H-oney-processed licorice root
Zhihuangcao (Honey-Fried Licorice Root) is a processed form of Chinese medicinal herb. It is prepared from the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae family) through cleaning, cutting, and stir-frying with honey (honey-fried processing). It is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Northeast China.
Efficacy & Actions
Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice root) is sweet in taste, neutral but slightly warm in nature, and enters the Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Its main actions are to supplement the Spleen and harmonize the Stomach, and to tonify Qi and restore the pulse.
Indications
Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice root) is mainly indicated for Spleen and Stomach deficiency with fatigue and lack of strength, as well as insufficiency of Heart Qi manifested as palpitations and knotted or regularly missed pulse (intermittent pulse).
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have found that this product has the effects of improving immune function, relieving cough, and eliminating phlegm, among others.
Ingredients
This product contains triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, among others.
Usage & Dosage
Decoction: generally 2–10 g; for large doses, 15–30 g may be used. Alternatively, it can be prepared into Chinese patent medicine forms.
Contraindications
1. Use with caution in patients with edema, kidney disease, hypertension, hypokalemia, and congestive heart failure. 2. This product should not be used together with Sargassum (Haizao), Euphorbia pekinensis (Jing Daji), Euphorbia kansui (Hong Daji), Kansui Radix (Gansui), or Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua). 3. This product should not be used concurrently with quinine, atropine, ephedrine hydrochloride, etc. 4. This product should not be used concurrently with cardiac glycosides. 5. This product has a potassium-excreting effect and should not be used concurrently with thiazide diuretics. 6. This product should not be used concurrently with aspirin, sodium salicylate, glucocorticoids, reserpine, etc. 7. During medication, a low-sodium diet is recommended; avoid spicy, greasy, and fatty foods. 8. During medication, monitor blood pressure, serum potassium, urine output, and neurological symptoms. If adverse reactions such as edema or hypertension occur, the dosage should be immediately reduced or gradually discontinued.
Selected Formulas
1. Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice root) is often combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Poria (Fuling). This combination has the effect of supplementing the Spleen and stopping diarrhea, and is used for borborygmus (intestinal rumbling) with diarrhea, abdominal distension, poor appetite, and fatigue of the four limbs due to Spleen and Stomach deficiency. 2. Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice root) is often combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), and Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang). This combination has the effect of tonifying Qi and restoring the pulse, and is used for knotted or regularly missed pulse (intermittent pulse) and palpitations due to Qi deficiency and Blood deficiency.
Daily Consumption
I. Herbal Tea Preparations 1. Basic Method Take 3–5 g of honey-fried licorice slices. Steep in boiling water, cover, and let infuse for 10 minutes before drinking. The same slices can be steeped 2–3 times. This simple method helps relieve mild throat discomfort or serves as a daily tea for strengthening the spleen and boosting qi. 2. Gan Mai Da Zao Tea (from Jin Gui Yao Lue) Ingredients: 10 g honey-fried licorice, 30 g Huai wheat, 50 g red dates. Preparation: Simmer with water over low heat until the liquid reduces to about 400 mL. Strain, then drink the decoction in portions. The cooked dates may be eaten at the end. Action: Nourish the heart, calm the mind, harmonize the middle, and relieve urgency. Helpful for palpitations, insomnia, and emotional distress. 3. Licorice Sour Plum Drink Ingredients: 30 g smoked plum (Wu Mei), 6 g honey-fried licorice. Preparation: Rinse the ingredients, steep in boiling water, and cover until the sour flavor is released. Honey may be added for taste. The ingredients can be steeped several times. Note: A sweet-and-sour drink suitable for summer heat relief, quenching thirst, and promoting appetite. 4. Licorice and Mung Bean Soup Ingredients: 100 g mung beans, 5 g raw licorice (or honey-fried optional; raw is traditional). Preparation: Simmer with water over low heat until the beans are soft. Drink the soup as a cooling summer beverage to clear heat, resolve toxicity, and drain dampness. II. Congee (Rice Porridge) 1. Licorice Congee Take 5–10 g of honey-fried licorice, decoct in water for 15–20 minutes, then strain to obtain the liquid. Use this liquid to cook congee with Japonica rice. This method enhances qi-tonifying and spleen-strengthening effects, suitable for long-term regulation. 2. Honey-Fried Licorice and Glutinous Rice Congee Decoct honey-fried licorice in water for 10 minutes, then remove the herb and use the liquid to cook glutinous rice congee. Take once daily. It is an adjunctive remedy for epigastric cold pain and oral ulcers due to spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. 3. Cinnamon Twig and Honey-Fried Licorice Congee Ingredients: 12 g cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), 6 g honey-fried licorice. Preparation: Wrap the herbs in a gauze bag. Add 500 mL water and decoct for 15 minutes. Remove the bag, then use the liquid to cook 50 g glutinous rice into congee. Take warm in the morning and evening. Helps supplement heart qi, calm the mind, and may relieve palpitations and insomnia. III. Soup and Stewed Meat 1. Honey-Fried Licorice Stewed Pork Place 5 g honey-fried licorice and 100 g lean pork in a stewing pot, add water, and cook over water (double-boiling) for 1 hour. This nourishing soup is suitable for weak and fatigued individuals. 2. Honey-Fried Licorice and Honey Date Soup Ingredients: 10 g honey-fried licorice, 3 honey dates. Preparation: Put in a clay pot, add water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes. The soup is sweet and warms the heart and spleen. Helpful for palpitations and insomnia. IV. Sublingual Use After exercise or significant physical exertion, place 2–3 slices of honey-fried licorice under the tongue for rapid energy replenishment.
Medicinal Parts
root and rhizome
Selection & Storage
Zhi Gancao is honey-fried licorice root, which is high in sugar content and prone to absorbing moisture, mold, and insect infestation. Therefore, the core principle of storage is to create an environment that is cool (<20°C), dry (45-60% humidity), dark, and airtight.