Licorice Root or Chinese Licorice

Licorice Root or Chinese Licorice

Licorice Root or Chinese Licorice

Ingredient Name:

Dried licorice, licorice root, Chinese licorice, glycyrrhiza glabra, sweet root, sweet grass

Traditional Chinese Name:

甘草 (gān cǎo)

Nature:  Neutral and associated with the spleen, lungs, stomach, kidneys, and heart

Taste:  Sweet and slightly bitter

You can get started on your Chinese Soup Kitchen Pantry from this video!  

 

 

The licorice is one of the key powerhouse herbs that are used to support lung strength, wellness and health, including an herb that penetrates all the meridians of the body, so these benefits can access multiple organs as well!  Did you know that in Europe, licorice is eaten as a candy?  While in the East, it’s more commonly used in Chinese soups, dishes, Chinese herbal teas, and medicine.  Try just taking the dry root as is and nibbling and sucking on it!

How do I prepare it & store it?

      • For teas, you can use ground licorice root, which is available in Western Health stores, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the dried whole sliced root is usually used (as pictured)
      • Typically no preparation needed.  If I’m using purchased dried licorice (in packages), I will use directly from the bag into my soup, tea cup, or glass stove top safe tea pot
      • These ingredients store nicely in plastic or glass containers (or bags), so long as it’s dry for years!  Be sure that moisture is limited and there is no direct exposure to extreme sunlight.

What is the cost & where to buy?

      • In general, one ounce of dried loose flowers can cost around $1-2 CAD (but I have seen the range quite wide)
      • Dried licorice is commonly found in both Western and Eastern stores (both online and instore), although Chinese Herbal shops will sell them as sliced roots more instead of shredded or powdered licorice (which is the preferred cut for Chinese soups, medicine, and herbal teas)

Any benefits?

      • Dried licorice helps nourish and tonify Qi
      • Licorice helps clear heat (but isn’t a cooling ingredient) 
      • It is also a great herb for clearing toxicity from target organs and the meridians
      • This is a useful herb for dispelling phlegm and relieving coughs
      • Helps stops spasms and alleviates pain

Any precautions?

      • Be sure to buy dried licorice from a reputable and reliable source, either online or in person.  

      • Licorice should be used cautiously if there is excess dampness (or water) in the body

Looking to build your basic Chinese Soup Pantry?

 

 

EXPLORE MORE

Did you know rice water is amazing for your skin?

Did you know rice water is amazing for your skin? Integrate it into your skincare routine today! Rice is known to be antiaging, anti-inflammatory, whitening, photoprotective, and moisturizing!One guiding principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the yin yang...

Amazing soup making and kitchenware on Temu! Come unpack with me!

AMAZING SOUP MAKING AND KITCHENWARE FINDS on TEMU!I've recently discovered Temu and the shopping experience is AMAZING!  Their kitchenware, soup making, and cooking equipment is vast, affordable, and some innovation products!  Come explore haul #1 with me.  I've...

Post run wind expelling and lung healing Chinese tea

Tea Name: Post run wind expelling and lung healing Chinese tea Traditional Chinese Name: 红枣甘草羅漢果薑茶 (hóng zǎo gān cǎo luó hàn guǒ jiāng chá) Nature:  Warming Taste: Sweet and slightly bitter For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.The tea is warming!  It's got...

Is your fish too fishy for soups? How to use fish in Chinese soups

Is your FISH too fishy for your soup?  HERE's How to use Fish in CHINESe SOUPS Thank you for your questions!  These make great topics for me to explore further and share my love of making soups and the best way to do it!  So if you have any comments or questions, or...

Sweet and sour snow fungus and cucumber salad

Tea Name: Sweet and sour snow fungus and cucumber salad (with garlic and red dates and goji berries) in a tart delightful mirin vinegrette dressing Nature:  Slightly warming (due to the garlic, red dates, and vinegar) Taste: Sweet and sour For more videos, you can...

Post run wind expelling and lung healing Chinese tea

Tea Name: Post run wind expelling and lung healing Chinese tea Traditional Chinese Name: 红枣甘草羅漢果薑茶 (hóng zǎo gān cǎo luó hàn guǒ jiāng chá) Nature:  Warming Taste: Sweet and slightly bitter For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.The tea is warming!  It's got...

How to meal prep Chinese soups in batch (for rice cooker or stove top)

I have no time! I still want delicious Chinese soup! I want something easy! You got it!  When I did my initial "experiment" on testing the rice cooker to make Chinese soup, I honestly didn't know what to expect - BUT... it turned out amazing!   And then, it got me...

Warming Chinese Herbal Tea for Menstruation and Menopause

Tea Name: Warming Chinese Herbal Tea for Menstruation and Menopause Traditional Chinese Name: 女士茶 (nǚ shì chá) Nature:  Warming Taste: Sweet For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.This warming Chinese herbal tea is designed to heal, promote stagnant Qi in the...

Red Dates, Longan, and Wolfberries Warming Chinese Herbal Tea

Tea Name: Warming red dates, longans, and wolfberries Chinese herbal tea Traditional Chinese Name: 红枣茶 (hóng zǎo chá) Nature:  Warming Taste: Sweet For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.This is one of the most common warming Chinese herbal teas available. ...

A Chinese Herbal Tea to Nourish, Heal, and Strengthen the Lungs

Tea Name: Nourishing, Healing, and Strengthening Chinese Herbal tea for the lungs (and cooling) Traditional Chinese Name: 羅漢果雪梨茶 (luó hàn guǒ xuě lí chá) Nature:  Cooling Taste: Sweet and sour (You can read this article on the impact on your body of different food...

GIVE YOUR LOVE OF SOUP.

FOLLOW US AND SHARE.