Wild licorice, also known as wild chamomile, wild sugarcane, native licorice, licorice grass, grass sugarcane, etc., is a common Chinese herbal medicine. The roots and rhizomes of wild licorice are its main medicinal parts. They can clear away heat and detoxify, moisten the lungs and relieve coughs, strengthen the spleen and appetite, diuresis and reduce swelling, etc., and are widely used in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Let us learn about the relevant knowledge and operating steps of wild licorice.

1. Pharmacological effects of wild licorice

The roots and rhizomes of wild licorice contain a variety of active ingredients such as glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and volatile oils, which have the ability to clear away heat. It has pharmacological effects such as detoxification, moistening the lungs and relieving cough, strengthening the spleen and appetizing, diuresis and reducing swelling. Among them, glycyrrhizic acid is the main active ingredient of wild licorice and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects.

2. Application scope of wild licorice

Wild licorice is widely used in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Its main application areas include:

1. Treatment of cough, Respiratory diseases such as asthma.

2. Treat gastrointestinal diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders and indigestion.

3. Treat liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

4. Treat nephritis, urinary tract infection and other urinary system diseases.

5. Treat skin diseases, allergic diseases, etc.

3. Operation steps of wild licorice

1. Picking

The picking time of wild licorice is generally in spring and autumn. At this time, the medicinal ingredients of wild licorice The content is higher. When picking, you should choose wild licorice that grows in pollution-free mountainous areas or grasslands, and avoid picking wild licorice that grows beside roads or around industrial areas.

2. Drying

After picking, the wild licorice should be dried until it is 80% dry, then rinsed with clean water and dried for later use.

3. Decoction

Cut the dried licorice into small pieces, add water to a pot and boil until the water turns yellow.

4. Made into medicines

The boiled wild licorice can be made into different medicines, such as wild licorice granules, wild licorice oral liquid, etc.

IV. Precautions for wild licorice

1. Wild licorice should not be used in large amounts for a long time to avoid adverse reactions such as water and sodium retention and hypertension.

2. Pregnant and lactating women should use wild licorice with caution.

3. Wild licorice has a certain degree of toxicity, so attention should be paid to the dosage.