How to process licorice seeds for medicinal use? Detailed explanation of the sand storage method

If the amount of seed used is large, sand storage treatment is mostly adopted. The method is: carry out the treatment about 2 months before sowing. First soak the licorice seeds in 60°C warm water for 4~6 hours, stirring several times during soaking, then remove and drain them, mix them evenly with 5 times their volume of clean fine river sand, with the river sand's moisture level such that when squeezed in the hand water appears but does not drip. Then put the evenly mixed seeds into a wooden box, pack the surroundings tightly with wet sand that has not been mixed with seeds, and cover the top with a further 3~5 cm thick layer of moist fine river sand.

Finally place the seed box into a previously prepared pit, pack the surroundings with moist soil, and cover the top of the pit with a wet straw curtain. The sand storage pit should be chosen in a high, dry, wind-sheltered and shaded place, and water must not accumulate in the pit.

During storage, check the humidity frequently. If it is too dry, take the seed box out, sprinkle water and mix evenly, and store it again once the humidity reaches a suitable level. If there is too much moisture, solve it by airing and drying. With this method, sowing can be done after 2 months, and it is suitable for autumn sowing.