Chinese Licorice / Gan-Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis): Fundamental Herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview

Chinese licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), known as gan-cao, is a perennial legume native to Central Asia and China. It grows 3-4 feet tall with pinnate leaves and spikes of pale blue to lavender flowers in summer. The thick, sweet taproot (glycyrrhizin) is one of the most important herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), used to harmonize formulas and treat coughs, inflammation, adrenal fatigue.

Botanical Details

• Family: Fabaceae (legume family) – formerly Papilionaceae
• Genus: Glycyrrhiza
• Species: uralensis

Cultivation & Uses

Full sun, deep, well-drained, sandy loam. Requires 3-4 years for harvestable roots. Nitrogen-fixing. Root used dried, powdered, or as extract. Sweetener (50x sucrose). Caution: long-term/high-dose use can cause hypertension, hypokalemia (glycyrrhizin). Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) safer for ulcers. Not the same as European licorice (G. glabra).