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(Attachment: Doubts regarding the incompatibility of Licorice and Silver Carp)

Licorice (Gancao, 甘草): Its nature is slightly warm, and its taste is extremely sweet. It can resolve all kinds of toxicity. Sweetness governs harmony; therefore, it has the function of harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach. Sweetness governs moderation/relaxation; therefore, although it tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, it is actually not a drastic tonic. When used after honey-frying (Zhi), its tonifying power is greater; hence, medical formularies state that it should be avoided in cases of abdominal distension and fullness. If crushed into powder and taken raw, it instead promotes the free flow of urine and stool, eliminating distension and fullness. When treating sores and ulcers, it is also suitable to use raw, or one may decoct the raw herb for oral administration. Zhang Zhongjing, in Ganxie Xiexin Tang (Licorice Decoction for Draining the Epigastrium), uses Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) to drain the palpitations/fullness in the epigastrium, while simultaneously using Gancao (Licorice) to protect the Heart (the Monarch organ) from injury by the other drugs. In Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), it is used to borrow its sweet-moderating nature to slow down the invasive downward action of cold-natured drugs. In Tongmai Tang (Pulse-Regulating Decoction) and Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction), it is used to borrow its sweet-moderating nature to slow down the rebellious upward action of heat-natured drugs. When used with Shaoyao (Peony Root), it nourishes Yin, moderates spasms, and stops pain; Zhang Zhongjing formulated Gancao Shaoyao Tang (Licorice and Peony Decoction). When used with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), it retains its thermal energy, making it last longer; Zhang Zhongjing formulated Gancao Ganjiang Tang (Licorice and Dried Ginger Decoction). When used with Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Xixin (Asarum Root), and other drugs, it resolves their pungent and numbing tastes, bringing the medicinal properties to a state of peace. It is incompatible only with Daji (Euphorbia Lathyris Root), Yuanhua (Kadua Flower), Gansui (Kansui Root), and Haizao (Sargassum Thallus); with other drugs, it is generally compatible.

Ancient formulas for treating early-stage Lung Abscess (Fei Yong, 肺痈) included using single-ingredient Fen Gancao (Powdered Licorice) four liang, decocted as soup for drinking, which often yielded effective results. I followed this intent: for early-stage Pulmonary Tuberculosis presenting with coughing and expectoration that is slightly fishy-smelling, I frequently use raw Fen Gancao ground into fine powder, taking 1 qian per dose, delivered with a decoction of Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle Flower) three qian, administered three times daily, repeatedly achieving efficacy. If the lung disease has persisted for a long time, or if there is concomitant expectoration of pus and blood, one can use three qian of Fen Gancao fine powder, mixed with 1.5 qian each of Zhe Beimu (Zhejiang Fritillary Bulb) and Sanqi (Notoginseng Root) fine powder, combined as a daily dosage, also delivered with a Jinyinhua decoction. If heat sensation is prominent, add several qian of Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root) to the decoction for delivery. The variety with yellowish skin is called Fen Gancao; its nature is neutral and not warm, making it particularly excellent in detoxifying and clearing fire formulations.

I devised two formulas for treating Cholera (Huoluan, 霍乱): one is Jijiu Huisheng Dan (Emergency Life-Recovery Pill), and the other is Weisheng Fangyi Bao Dan (Hygiene Epidemic-Prevention Precious Pill). Both formulas heavily emphasize the use of Licorice, allowing one to infer its functions. However, this relies largely on crushing the Licorice finely and using it raw, without honey-frying or water-decocting. Indeed, acute infectious diseases are accompanied by the prevalence of toxic miasmas; when used raw, its detoxifying power is greater. Moreover, when cooked, Licorice tonifies; when raw, it tonifies while still possessing a circulating force. Thus, it is suitable for Cholera. The claim that raw usage promotes circulation can be verified by factual evidence.

[Attached Case] A young boy surnamed Wang from Kaiyuan had weak Spleen and Stomach, unable to digest food, resulting in frequent vomiting. He also suffered from difficult urination, generalized edema, and abdominal distension. He was treated with equal parts of raw Licorice fine powder and Western medicine Pepsin (Baibusheng), taking 1 qian per dose, three times daily. After several days, vomiting ceased, urination and defecation became smooth, and swelling subsided completely.

A friend from Tieling, Mr. Wei, lived in an area abundant in Licorice. Mr. Wei placed Licorice in his teapot daily, brewing it like tea. After ten days, his urination and defecation became more frequent, causing him to stop drinking it. Later, upon meeting me, he recounted this incident and asked why Licorice, which originally has a tonifying nature, could promote the free flow of urine and stool. I replied: "When cooked, Licorice tonifies; when raw, it promotes circulation. Although brewed with boiling water in a teapot, its nature remains uncooked, similar to raw usage, thus promoting circulation."

Student Li stated that he once knew a child suffering from abdominal pain who applied Nuan Qi Gao (Umbilical-Warming Plaster). The application site later ulcerated. The physician advised drinking plenty of Licorice water to heal. However, excessive consumption led to difficult urination, body swelling, and abdominal distension. Other physicians were consulted, but medications were ineffective. The locality was near a railway station where trains frequently unloaded Licorice. His sister took him to gather Licorice to chew on daily as a habit. Consequently, his swelling disappeared. Observing this, we know that the nature of Licorice differs drastically between raw and cooked states. Those using Licorice must pay attention to whether it is raw or cooked.