In terms of its efficacious effects, licorice cannot lower blood sugar. Licorice can be used to treat weakness of the spleen and stomach, palpitations (rapid heartbeat, often accompanied by panic), shortness of breath, cough and phlegm. Licorice has the effect of tonifying the spleen, clearing heat and removing toxins (removing heat and toxins from the body), expelling phlegm and relieving cough, easing pain (relieving urgent pain symptoms), and harmonizing all medicines (harmonizing the properties of different Chinese medicines). Licorice can be used to treat weakness of the spleen and stomach, contractural pain in the epigastrium (abdomen) and limbs, carbuncles, swellings and sores, lethargy (tiredness and fatigue), cough and phlegm, etc., as well as being used to alleviate the toxicity and potency of medicines. Licorice should not be used in combination with seaweed, Kyoho, red halberd, glycyrrhiza, coriander. Specific medication should follow the doctor’s prescription.