Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Chinese Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as Gan Cao) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating cough, especially those associated with "dampness"—a TCM concept referring to mucus or phlegm accumulation. In TCM, licorice is said to "tonify the spleen and qi," "moisten the lungs," and "resolve phlegm," making it a common ingredient in herbal formulas for respiratory conditions. Classical texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and the "Compendium of Materia Medica," document its use for coughs and other lung-related ailments.

Scientific studies have identified bioactive compounds in licorice, such as glycyrrhizin and liquiritin, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and soothing effects on the respiratory tract. Some modern research suggests licorice extracts may reduce cough frequency and severity, and experimental studies show possible mucolytic (phlegm-resolving) and antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects. However, most clinical evidence is preliminary, with few high-quality randomized controlled trials directly addressing "damp cough" as defined in TCM. Therefore, the main justification for its use remains traditional, with moderate support from pharmacological studies.

In summary, the use of Chinese Licorice for coughs, especially those characterized by dampness or phlegm, is primarily supported by centuries of traditional use, with some emerging but not yet definitive scientific evidence to support its efficacy.

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