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Licorice Root (Gancao), with a sweet taste, neutral qi, and warm nature, can ascend and descend; it is Yang within Yang. Other texts stating it is Yin within Yang are incorrect. It is non-toxic. It is incompatible with Kansui Root (Gansui) and must not be used together, as doing so may prove fatal. It enters the Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin meridians. It can harmonize purgative and tonifying herbs, eliminate carbuncles, ulcers, boils, and toxins, possessing truly miraculous efficacy. It is particularly adept at stopping various pains, clearing deficiency-fire, relieving thirst, and generating fluids. However, its nature is also slow/relaxing; therefore, it is most suitable for acute conditions. Thus, when treating cold diseases with hot herbs, Licorice Root must be added to moderate the heat of Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) and Aconite Root (Fuzi). When treating heat diseases with cold herbs, Licorice Root must be added to moderate the coldness of Gypsum (Shigao). For diseases in the lower part that should not be attacked rapidly, Licorice Root must be added to moderate the harshness of Rhubarb (Dahuang). For diseases in the upper part that should not be lifted abruptly, Licorice Root must be added to moderate the agitating nature of Gardenia (Zhizi); this embodies the meaning of harmony within slowness. Its taste is exceptionally sweet; sweetness tends to induce vomiting, so those prone to vomiting should not take it in large amounts, though one should not be overly rigid about this rule. Sweet herbs can ascend or descend; using them to induce vomiting causes vomiting, using them to purge causes diarrhea—it all depends on how skillfully they are employed.

One might ask: "Fullness in the middle (Zhongman) contraindicates sweet flavors; does Licorice Root aggravate bloating?" One should know that avoiding sweet flavors for Zhongman does not mean avoiding Licorice Root specifically. Zhongman is fullness due to Qi deficiency. Qi deficiency refers to the deficiency of Spleen and Stomach Qi. The Spleen and Stomach delight in sweet flavors; why would they contraindicate Licorice Root? Because Licorice Root's nature is slow; being slow, it enters the Stomach but does not immediately enter the Spleen. If Stomach Qi is already deficient, receiving the tonification from Licorice Root, it cannot bear it immediately, seemingly increasing the bloating. This is merely temporary bloating, not chronic bloating. Therefore, for symptoms of Zhongman, it is actually appropriate to use Licorice Root to guide herbs like Ginseng Root (Renshen), Poria (Fuling), and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) into the area of fullness, making the deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach no longer deficient, after which the bloating will cease. However, it should not be used in large doses or exclusively. Generally, large doses increase fullness, while small doses reduce fullness. Exclusive use adds to bloating, while combined use eliminates bloating. Who says Zhongman contraindicates Licorice Root? (Commentary: Zhongman contraindicates Licorice Root, yet using it successfully demonstrates that drugs depend on skilled application, not just Licorice Root.)

One might ask: "Licorice Root is the holy medicine for detoxification; ancients praised it highly, yet you speak briefly of it. Can Licorice Root not detoxify?" Alas! Everyone knows Licorice Root detoxifies, yet everyone knows it detoxifies but no one knows how to use it properly. I believe detoxification with Licorice Root should be divided into three methods: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Upper method treats toxins in the Upper Jiao, guiding them out via vomiting; the Middle method treats toxins in the Middle Jiao, harmonizing and resolving them; the Lower method treats toxins in the Lower Jiao, expelling and purging them. (Commentary: Dividing Licorice Root detoxification into Upper, Middle, and Lower methods is indeed accurate and profound.) How to vomit? Use one liang of Licorice Root and three melon seeds (Gua Di), decocted in water and taken orally. For any poison, one dose of vomiting brings recovery. How to harmonize? Use one liang and five qian of Licorice Root, plus three qian each of Bupleurum Root (Chaihu), White Peony Root (Baishao), White Mustard Seed (Baijiezi), Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui), and Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), decocted in water and taken orally; the toxin will naturally resolve. How to purge? Use two liang of Licorice Root, plus three qian of Rhubarb (Dahuang), five qian of Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui), fourteen Peach Kernels (Taoren), and one qian of Safflower (Honghua), decocted in water and taken orally; the toxin will exit entirely through the stool. These three methods, while I dare not claim they cover all detoxification techniques, generally encompass the main approaches. Whether poisoning, accidental ingestion of toxins, or initial onset of sores/toxins, all can be treated by these three methods. This is the method of using Licorice Root for detoxification; can people hear my words and apply them skillfully?

One might ask: "Licorice Root is a harmonizing herb, used in both purgative and tonifying formulas; are there cases where it is unsuitable?" Licorice Root, known as the 'State Elder' (Guolao), has a sweet taste, which is suitable for the Spleen and Stomach. However, if the Spleen and Stomach receive too much sweetness, their nature becomes loose and slow; food and drink entering them will not conduct quickly, leading to stagnation and accumulation. Food and drink should be digested quickly; if they fail to do so, the essence transmitted to the Zang-Fu organs will be diminished, causing these organs to miss out on benefits. People say Licorice Root has benefits but no harms; who knows that while its benefits are many, it also has harms? Knowing its benefits and guarding against its harms is sufficient. Some suspect Licorice Root merely harmonizes other herbs and has little significance; this view underestimates Licorice Root. Licorice Root can indeed be used in heavy doses to achieve results and can adjust formulas to gain efficacy; it is an indispensable herb, not one that is optional.

Some doubt that Licorice Root appears ordinary and is despised by most physicians, yet you value it highly. Why do your preferences differ from others? I reply: Licorice Root is a life-saving herb; how can it be ignored? Observing the miraculous effects of the Upper, Middle, and Lower detoxification methods, which are unparalleled, one can realize that Licorice Root should be valued heavily rather than lightly. Moreover, its special merit in harmonizing hundreds of herbs is significant.

One might ask: "Small-sized Licorice Root has a slightly cold nature and can drain Yin fire. Can it be used in large doses for symptoms of Yin deficiency with fire agitation?" I consider Licorice Root a fire-draining substance; its efficacy does not depend on size. If small roots drain fire, do large ones not assist fire? However, regarding Licorice Root draining fire: it can be used in larger doses for acute conditions, but heavy addition is difficult for chronic/slow conditions. Slow conditions are often deficiency patterns; deficiency implies weak Stomach Qi. Since Licorice Root is overly sweet, using it in large doses makes it hard to disperse and eliminate, risking bloating. It is better to use small amounts, as sweet-warm properties can naturally retreat high fever. In cases of Yin deficiency, the Stomach Qi is weak; how can it tolerate large doses? Regardless of whether the root is large or small, it should not be used in large quantities.