There is no such thing as how best to take licorice. Clinicians generally recommend taking it after decoction.
Licorice is sweet in taste and flat in nature, and goes to the heart, lung, spleen and stomach meridians. It is effective in tonifying the spleen and benefiting qi, expelling phlegm and relieving cough, easing pain (relieving more urgent pain symptoms), moderating medicinal properties, and clearing heat and detoxifying toxins.
It is mainly used in treating shortness of breath and fatigue caused by weakness of the spleen and stomach, insufficiency of middle qi (weak qi in the spleen and stomach), loose food and stools, coughing and wheezing, etc. It can also alleviate the pain of contracture of the stomach, epigastric region, abdomen or limbs, and can moderate the medicinal properties of the medicine.
Patients with symptoms such as loose stools, cough and shortness of breath, which belong to the weak spleen and stomach and the lack of central qi, can be treated with licorice, which is usually used together with spleen tonic and spleen strengthening medicines according to the clinical diagnosis. Clinicians usually recommend taking it after decoction.
If the patient is not feeling well, he should go to the hospital in time and be treated under the guidance of a professional physician.