GAN CAO: ALL THE BENEFITS OF LICORICE ROOT

Nuence MTC présente GAN CAO la racine de reglisse

Introduction:

Well known for its use in confectionery, licorice is also found in many medicinal preparations, in herbal medicine and in traditional medicine thanks to its richness in active ingredients . This essential plant in TCM is also a cosmetic active ingredient of choice thanks to its vast field of action and its many beneficial properties for the skin.

These are all facets of GAN CAD that the Nuence-MTC team invites you to discover in this article.

 

Licorice, a perennial plant

Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family measuring between 1 and 1.5 meters high. It grows preferentially in rich and humid soils, and requires a warm climate, hence its presence in the Mediterranean basin where it has been harvested since Antiquity.

It has large leaves and small purple flowers. Its fruit is a flat pod, 2 to 3 cm long, which contains numerous seeds.

However, it is its root (or rhizome) that is mainly used for its particular and sweet taste, in order to make drinks and confectionery. This root, sometimes called sweet wood, sweet wood or licorice wood, can even be chewed directly to enjoy its sweetness.

In traditional medicine, its use has developed around its stimulating, digestive system regulating, anti-inflammatory and respiratory tract calming properties. Its virtues are explained by the presence of numerous active molecules (see below).

NUENCE MTC PRESENTS GAN CAO, LICORICE ROOT

 

Gan Cao - what use in TCM?

 

Gan Cao is the unprepared root of Chinese licorice (Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis). It has been used for thousands of years in China, mentioned in ancient medical texts such as the "Classic of the Heavenly Plowman's Materia Medica".

Due to its multiple properties, including its detoxifying and calming effect and its scope of action on the medial (spleen and stomach) and upper (heart and lung) focus, it is often used in Chinese pharmacopoeia formulas.

Its nature is neutral, and its flavor is (very) mild.

 

Gan Cao is often used for:

  • Harmonize and Tonify Qi: It helps to strengthen vital energy, particularly in cases of fatigue or weakness or when there is a deficiency of Qi and blood.
  • Harmonize and tone the spleen and stomach.
  • Clarifying the fire: in case of irritation, ulcers, throat disorders.
  • Moisten the lung and treat respiratory conditions: in case of cough, asthma, etc.
  • Detoxify and disinfect after an infection or food poisoning for example.
  • Calm and strengthen the mind (the Shen) thanks to its calming effects on the nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety and stress.

NUENCE MTC PRESENTS GAN CAO

Your therapist will be able to advise you on the use of Gan Cao, for example, Gan Cao consumption should be used with caution during pregnancy, it can also cause high blood pressure and interact with other medications.

 

Composition

Licorice contains many active ingredients, including:

  •   saponins (glycyrrhizin): it is responsible for many of the medicinal properties of licorice: Glycyrrhizin is converted into glycyrrhetic acid in the body, which potentiates the effects of corticosteroids by affecting cortisol metabolism.
  • flavonoids including glabridin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening properties (see below).

- Licochalcone A: another flavonoid with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties

- Enoxolone (glycyrrhetic acid) : Derived from glycyrrhizin, it has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in the treatment of ulcers and inflammations

- Liquiritin : A flavonoid that contributes to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of licorice

  • Isoflavonoids : These compounds have phytoestrogenic properties and can help balance hormones. By mimicking the action of estrogen, these actives allow licorice to play a role in bone health and menopause.
COMPOSITION OF LICORICE: THE MAIN ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

 

Licorice, a cosmetic active ingredient of choice

Licorice is a recognized cosmetic ingredient, particularly for its lightening effects and its calming action for sensitive skin. Although it contains other active molecules, such as glycyrrhizic acid, it is glabridin that is at the heart of its effectiveness.

 

Glabridin, at the heart of the anti-blemish effectiveness of licorice

This molecule acts on three different mechanisms of melanogenesis (the synthesis of skin pigments, melanin's) and thus regulates the production of melanin, for luminous, glowing skin and an even complexion.

To get the most out of a dark spot skincare routine, don't forget to use sunscreen at the end of your morning routine, or a day cream with SPF. Licorice is a fantastic active ingredient against hyperpigmentation, but it can't do everything on its own!

It acts in synergy on spots and hyperpigmentation with vitamin C, which is why Nuence MTC has chosen to combine these two active ingredients in its anti-aging supplement L'EAU.

 


 

Licorice to soothe the skin

Licorice extract also has a softening and soothing action, as explained above, several active molecules in licorice thus have an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to soothe sensitive skin.

 

The protective effects of licorice

The many active ingredients with antioxidant properties help fight free radicals and protect the skin against oxidative stress and its consequences on skin aging. See our previous article on this subject. Here again, licorice acts in synergy with vitamin C, also a powerful antioxidant.

 

An anti-wrinkle effect

Research has shown the inhibitory activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the enzymes responsible for the degradation of collagen and elastin. By inhibiting these enzymes (gelatinases MMP-2, MMP-9, elastase), the active ingredients in licorice prevent the formation of wrinkles.

This effect combined with the anti-blemish, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-photo-aging properties described above make licorice an active ingredient of choice for healthy skin that retains its radiance and a more even complexion.

NUENCE MTC: RICH ANTI-AGING CREAM

To conclude

Gan Cao is a versatile and valuable plant in TCM, recognized for its multiple benefits on health and well-being.

Beyond its use in cooking and traditional medicine, licorice is a real cosmetic ally to integrate into your routine for its multiple benefits, in particular those provided by glabridin.