What are the classifications of licorice? A detailed explanation of the latest classification

Licorice is a perennial herb of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the Fabaceae family. Its roots and rhizomes are thick and robust. It is a tonic Chinese herbal medicine, a medicine that is very good for the human body. The medicinal parts are the root and rhizome. There are many classifications. For all kinds of licorice, the best quality is the one with fine and tight bark, heavy and solid texture, reddish-brown color, high powdery content, strong sweet taste, and dryness without impurities.

Common prescription names of licorice

1. Licorice: In prescriptions, it is written as licorice.

2. Shengcao: Shengcao refers to raw licorice, which is the original medicinal material with impurities removed, washed, moistened, sliced, and used raw in medicine. It tends toward clearing heat and detoxifying.

3. Zhicao: Zhicao is also called processed licorice, honey licorice, or honey-processed licorice. It is raw licorice slices mixed evenly with honey, then stir-fried until no longer sticky, taken out and spread to cool, and then used in medicine. It tends toward moistening the lungs and harmonizing the middle.

4. Caoshao, licorice tip, raw licorice tip: These are all the terminal ends or fine roots of licorice root, washed, cut into small sections, and used in medicine. They tend toward clearing heat and promoting urination.

Current trade names of licorice

1. East licorice: East licorice is also called east grass, and is produced in Northeast China, Hebei, Shanxi, and other places.

2. West licorice: West licorice is also called west grass, and is produced in Yanchi in Ningxia, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, and other places.

Traditional trade names of licorice

1. Liangwai grass: Produced in the area of Hangjin Banner in Ih Ju League, Inner Mongolia.

2. Wangyedi grass: Produced in Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia. It is conventionally considered that Liangwai grass and Wangyedi grass are of the best quality and are authentic medicinal materials.

3. Xizhen grass: Produced in the areas of Yanchi, Taodong, and Pingluo in Ningxia. It belongs to west grass. Shanghechuan grass: Produced in the area of Dalad Banner in Ih Ju League, Inner Mongolia. It belongs to west grass.

4. Bian grass: Produced in the areas of Jingbian and Dingbian in northern Shaanxi. It belongs to west grass.

5. Northwest grass: Produced in Minqin, Qingyang, Zhangye, Yumen, and other places in Gansu. It belongs to west grass.

6. Xiahechuan grass: Produced in Tumd Banner, Togtoh, Horinger, and other places near Baotou in Inner Mongolia. It belongs to west grass.

7. Northeast grass: Produced in eastern Inner Mongolia, Chifeng, Ju League, Hulun League, and other places. It belongs to east grass.

8. Xinjiang grass: Produced in Xinjiang. It belongs to west grass.

9. Skin licorice: Also called barked licorice, barked grass, or bark grass. It is the one that retains the cork layer after harvesting and processing.

10. Powder licorice: Also called scraped-skin licorice, scraped-skin grass, white powder grass, or powder grass. It is the one whose cork layer is scraped off after harvesting and processing and then cut into long sections.

11. Bundled licorice: The one cut into long sections and tied into bundles during processing.

12. Licorice node: Also called powder grass node or grass node. It is the part of the licorice root and rhizome filled with brown-black resinous material.

13. Licorice head: Also called geda leather or geda head. It is the reed head part at the upper end of the licorice rhizome.

14. Licorice tip: Also called grass tip or raw grass tip. It is the terminal part or fine roots of licorice root.