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Gan Cao in TCM:

Alternate Forms:
• sheng - clear heat and relieve fire toxicity, dispels phlegm
• zhi- tonify middle, moderate spasms, moistens LU

• Tonifies SP and HT qi (lassitude, loose stools, qi and blood deficiency with irregular or intermittent pulse and/or palpitations, shortness of breath, zang zao)
• Dispels phlegm, Stop cough (wheezing with phlegm; coughing; heat or cold in LU; can also moisten LU, use for cough without phlegm)
• Clears heat; Relieves Toxicity; Treats Poison ( sores throat due to fire toxin, carbuncles, used internally or topically; used as antidote for variety of toxic substances including food, herbs, and drugs)
• Moderates Spasms; alleviates Pain (abdominal pain due to deficiency or cold of middle jiao, painful spasms of abdomen or legs)
• Moderates and Harmonizes properties of other herbs (moderates harshness of other herbs; harmonizes middle jiao in combination with other herbs, particularly with sheng jiang)

• Moderates and Harmonizes properties of other herbs (moderates harshness of other herbs; harmonizes middle jiao in combination with other herbs, particularly with sheng jiang)
Other Notes:
• Pharmacologically Gan Cao is a mineralcorticoid (increases re-absorption of sodium and water), glucocorticoid (enhances effect of coritsone), anti-inflammatory, antiarrythmic, immuno-stimulant, gastrointestinal aid, antispasmodic, antitoxin, and is also hepatoprotective.
• Shaoyao-Gancao-tang (SGT), a traditional Chinese formulation, is often used together with antibiotics such as amoxicillin and metronidazole (AMPC-MET) for the treatment of peptic ulcers in Japan.
• Gan Cao is used in Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang to treat Stomach Qi Deficiency with Cold and Heat in the Interior

• (cc: excess dampness; nausea and vomiting)
• (cc: incompatible with harsh expellants gan sui, yuan hua, and da ji)
• (cc: according to shi ba fan incompatible with hai zao)
• (cc: long term overdose can lead to hypertension or edema)