Ingredient Spotlight

Licorice / Gan Cao

Why we love it

Great for abdominal discomfort, Licorice is ideal for treating menstrual cramping, and has been shown to relieve digestive discomfort and regulate bowels.

Helps with:

  • Cramps

  • Diarrhea 

  • Bloating

  • Fever

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How it Heals

In Chinese Medicine, Licorice replenishes qi, tonifies the spleen, clears heat, and eliminates toxins. It moderates and harmonizes other herbs, making it a great addition to any herbal tea. 

In Western medicine, Licorice is shown to correct irregular heart rhythm, prevent ulcers, reduce cough, and ease asthma. It has antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. 


Fun Fact: Licorice was favoured among the Ancient Egyptians. It was used in beverages, as a medicine, and was even found in King Tutankhamen’s tomb.

“Licorice is used in almost all Chinese herbal formulas as a harmonizer. The philosophy is that licorice can make all the other herbs ‘play nice’ with one another. ”

- Lulu Ge, Founder & CEO

What the research says

In a study conducted on mouse uterine contractions, licorice reduced uterine spasms by inhibiting calcium influx.
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Licorice has a flavonoid, isoliquiritigenin, that has a spasmolytic effect on uterine contraction.
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Licorice has a uterine relaxant effect by inhibiting the phosphorylation of HSP27, which plays a key role in regulating uterine contraction.
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The main active component in Licorice, glycyrrhizin, produced anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced mouse endometrial epithelial cells by suppressing LPS-induced inflammatory mediator production.
Read Article

Feel the difference for yourself

Your cycle is unique, and the only way to know if Elix will work for you is to try your personalized blend. We’re here to listen to your body, adjust your treatment as needed, and guarantee an improvement in symptoms—or your money back.

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