The herb Licorice is derived from the roots of the plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Licorice is one of the mainstays of traditional Chinese medicine, and has been used for over 3,000 years in tonic herb formulas and as a treatment for ulcers, acute and chronic coughs, and skin disorders. It is thought to carry the effects of all of the other herbs in a formula throughout the body. It is also an important antidote to a variety of toxic substances.

Medical researchers have isolated several active substances in licorice root including glycosides, flavonoids, asparagine, isoflavonoids, chalcones, liqueritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, licurazid, and liquiritin. An important active ingredient is Glycyrrhetinic acid, a natural anti-inflammatory compound that is useful for all types of ulcer.