2Zhi Gan Cao-Chinese licorice honey-roasted root & rhizome-Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Zhi Gan Cao is the honey-fried form of Gan Cao (licorice root), commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify Qi, moisten dryness, relieve spasms, and harmonize herbal formulas. Frying the herb with honey enhances its tonifying and moistening properties, making it particularly suited for treating fatigue, palpitations, dry cough, and abdominal pain. Zhi Gan Cao is often included in classical and modern prescriptions for both its therapeutic and harmonizing roles.

Functions & Benefits

Tonifies Spleen and Heart Qi
Used to treat fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and poor digestion due to Qi deficiency.

Moistens the Lungs and Stops Cough
Helps with dry, irritating cough or chronic respiratory conditions that stem from Lung Qi or Yin deficiency.

Relieves Pain and Alleviates Spasms
Used for abdominal cramping, muscle spasms, and leg cramps, especially in deficiency conditions.

Harmonizes Other Herbs in Formulas
Frequently added to reduce harsh effects of other herbs, enhance overall efficacy, and improve taste.

Indications
Individuals with weak digestion, fatigue, palpitations, or Qi collapse
People with dry cough, wheezing, or chronic Lung deficiency symptoms
Those suffering from muscle spasms or abdominal discomfort
Patients using multi-herb formulas needing balance or flavor improvement

Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM
Tongue: Pale with thin white coating (Qi deficiency or dryness)
Pulse: Weak or irregular (suggesting Qi or Heart deficiency)

Common TCM Patterns Treated by Zhi Gan Cao

• Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency – Fatigue, short breath, weak voice

• Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency – Palpitations, insomnia, poor memory

• Lung Dryness or Yin Deficiency – Dry cough, sore throat, hoarseness

• Qi and Yin Collapse – Weak pulse, cold limbs, fainting (as in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang)

Precautions & Contraindications
Avoid in cases of excess dampness, bloating, or edema
Not suitable for individuals with hypertension or water retention when used in large or prolonged doses
Use cautiously in Yin deficiency with internal heat

Conclusion
Zhi Gan Cao is a sweet, harmonizing herb that strengthens Qi, soothes the Lungs, calms the Heart, and supports complex formulas. Its moistening and calming nature, enhanced by honey-frying, makes it a valuable choice for dry cough, fatigue, palpitations, and spasms, as well as a staple in classical prescriptions for formula balance and digestive protection.