Gan Cao
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
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Pl. 7029 — Glycyrrhiza uralensis
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IOverview
Overview
Gan Cao, scientifically known as Glycyrrhiza uralensis, is a perennial plant native to regions including Afghanistan, Altay, Buryatiya, and Inner Mongolia. This member of the legume family thrives in moist environments with light to partial sun exposure, growing up to 0.6 meters tall. It prefers well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) and is hardy in zones 5-9. The plant is notable for its edible roots, which have been used for centuries. Found across a wide range from East European Russia to Pakistan, Gan Cao is valued for its sweet taste and traditional uses.
Quick answers
What is Gan Cao?
Gan Cao, scientifically known as Glycyrrhiza uralensis, is a perennial plant native to regions including Afghanistan, Altay, Buryatiya, and Inner Mongolia. This member of the legume family thrives in moist environments with light to partial sun exposure, growing up to 0.
What is Gan Cao used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Gan Cao
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Gan Cao appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Gan Cao has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support digestive health, particularly for conditions like stomach pain and indigestion. It is often prepared as a decoction or tea.
The mechanism involves compounds such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids that may help soothe the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and promote healthy digestion. However, the exact pathway is not fully characterised.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Gan Cao support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Gan Cao, or Glycyrrhiza uralensis, thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows as a perennial reaching up to 0.6 meters in height. For propagation, root cuttings can be used. Ensure the plant has adequate moisture and well-draining soil for best growth.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Gan Cao for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Gan Cao in a sunny spot and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or root cuttings, a garden fork, compost.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late autumn when the soil is moist and cool.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil that's light (sandy), medium, or heavy. Amend the soil with compost if needed.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
For seeds, sow them 2-3 cm deep in rows spaced about 45 cm apart. For root cuttings, plant them horizontally at a depth of 10-15 cm.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly to ensure consistent moisture levels.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and weather conditions. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage in late winter to maintain plant health and encourage new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting mulching, not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: Sweetener
Other uses:Fire retardanttextilesDynamic accumulatorNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
21 native · 1 introduced
Distribution
21 native · 1 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 21 native· 1 introduced
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia6 regions
native (5)AfghanistanChinaKazakhstanMongoliaPakistan
introduced (1)South Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Tadzhikistan, Tuva
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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