Licorice root (gāncǎo, 甘草)

Licorice root is thought to replenish vital energies, help stomach functions, clear out heat and control coughing. Due to its sweetness, it’s also often used in TCM herb tonics to ease bitterness and to help ‘harmonize’ the harshness of their flavors – basically to help the medicine go down! It has also been depression, cold, flu, cough, heartburn and many more. It is used in Chinese medicine to harmonize all the other medicinal herbs that goes into a formula. In addition, there is some evidence that licorice can help with swelling, itching and redness that goes along with skin rashes.