Honey-prepared liquorice - 炙甘草 (Zhi Gan Cao)
Honey-Roasted Licorice Root
炙甘草
Zhi Gan Cao·Réglisse préparée au miel
Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata
- Traced and verified origin
- Dispatched within 24/48h, packed to order
- Kept away from light and moisture
According to the classical texts
补脾和胃 益气复脉
Pinyin
Bu Pi He Wei · Yi Qi Fu Mai
Overview
The traditional prepared form (Zhi 炙) of the liquorice root: the slices of Gan Cao are coated with honey then gently roasted, which changes their profile in the tradition.
The result is a golden-brown liquorice, stickier and more scented, which the tradition attaches to the Bu Qi (补气) register.
The honey used is traditionally a pure honey of food grade.
Traditional uses
The form chosen when the supplementing side of the herb is to be pressed further, towards the Earth Phase and the breath.
Unlike raw Gan Cao, which holds clearing and supplementing in even measure, Zhi Gan Cao leans plainly towards supplementing the Qi.
Much used in blends turned towards the Yang of the Fire Phase and the evenness of the pulse (Zhi Gan Cao Tang).
Preparation and traditional-use quantity
- Decoction: 2 to 10 g, the same quantities as the raw form
- Zhi Gan Cao Tang: “decoction of prepared liquorice”, a classic blend of Zhang Zhongjing for the Yang of the Fire Phase and irregularity of the pulse
- Si Jun Zi Tang, supplementing version: raw Gan Cao is replaced by Zhi Gan Cao to make the supplementing turn more pronounced
