Characteristics G. uralensis: Root terete, rare branching, unequal in length (may attain 100 cm long), 0.6-3.5 cm in diameter. Cork reddish brown, with transverse long lenticels and longitudinal wrinkles. Powder spreading out when broken. Fracture surface fibrous. Prepared as cross or oblique cutting pieces, yellow; vascular bundles radial arranged in xylem; cambium rings revealed between the cortex and the xylem. Loose in texture. G. glabra: Cork greyish yellow, section yellowish white. Solid in texture. Both are sweet in taste, mild in nature, and attributive to spleen and stomach channels.

Indication 1. Invigorate vital energy: For syndrome of spleen-stomach deficiency; for those with deficiency of vital energy, used together with Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocepha for those with yang-deficiency,. used together with Rhizoma Zingiberis for those with deficiency of heart energy or heart-yang manifested shortness of breath, palpitation, chest pain and irrhythmia, usually used together with Ramulus Cinnamoni.

2. Clear away heat and toxic material: For serious heat-syndrome such skin infection, sore throat, etc. or drug and food poisoning.

3. Eliminate phlegm and relieve cough: For various types of cough and dyspnea.

4. Relieve spasm and alleviate pain: For spasm and pain of the abdomen and leg, arthralgia of wind-dampness-cold type and peptic ulcer, us together with Radix Paeoniae Alba.

5. Moderate the potency of drugs: For counteracting the toxicity side effects of potent drugs such as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Radix Acaniti Praeparata, Radix Aconiti, etc. Also. used for adjusting the taste of drugs. Recently, used for virus hepatitis, thrombocytopenic purpura and anaphylactoid purpura.

Its chief active components are glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin and liquiritigenin.

I. Its decoction can inhibit intestinal smooth muscles of rabbits in vitro, but glycynhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid have no this effect.

2. Possessing an adrenocorticomimetic effect.

3. Its extract and glycyrrhizin exerts a detoxifying effect.

4. Antitussive and antiasthmatic.

5.Gjycyrrhizin has an anti-inflammatory effect similar to hydrocortisone.

Caution 1. Edema and hypertension may ensue after a long period of dministration.