Shaanxi Licorice

Shaanxi Licorice

　　Licorice gets its name from its naturally sweet taste. It is also known as sweet grass, sweet root, powdered licorice, or raw licorice, among other aliases. In ancient medical texts, it is referred to by even more varied names — in *Supplement to the Materia Medica*, it is called honey-sweet, honey-grass, dew-grass, or “the elder statesman.” In *Records of Notable Events*, it is named Ling Tong. All these names are related to the sweet flavor of licorice. But why is it also called “the elder statesman”? The Southern Dynasties physician Tao Hongjing said: “This herb is the king of all medicines; few classic prescriptions do not use it, just as agarwood is essential in incense. ‘Elder statesman’ is a title for the emperor’s teacher — though not the ruler, he is regarded as such by the ruler. Therefore, it can harmonize herbs and minerals and neutralize various toxins.” Zhen Quan said: “Among all herbs, licorice is the sovereign, treating 72 types of mineral and stone poisons, counteracting 1,200 kinds of plant and grass poisons, and excelling at harmonizing all ingredients — thus earning the title of elder statesman.” It is evident that ancient physicians held licorice in high esteem, revering it as the “elder statesman” or “emperor’s teacher.” The name “licorice” first appeared over 2,000 years ago in China’s earliest medical text, *The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica*, where it was listed as a “superior-grade” medicine. In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* ranked licorice first under the “Herb” category. This shows that licorice has a long history of medicinal use and is a commonly essential herb. A medical saying goes: “Nine out of ten prescriptions contain licorice.” Licorice is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in prescriptions.

According to measurements, licorice contains about 10% glycyrrhizic acid, as well as various other components such as mannitol and glucose. Since licorice sugar is 50 times sweeter than cane sugar, licorice truly lives up to its name as the “sweet grass.”