Herbology 101: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis)

April 12, 2017

Gan Cao Licorice Root

Herbology 101 is a series where we explore the healing properties of the Chinese medicinal herbs used in Sola Skincare. The practice of Chinese medicine has evolved over its 2,000 years and involves acupuncture, massage, physical exercise, nutritional healing, as well as herbal medicine. 

Gan Cao, or licorice root, is harvested in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang Uygur, and the Gansu province of China during the spring or autumn. The medicinal root is prepared raw, roasted, or even soaked with rice wine for its use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. For consumption, it can also be boiled into a soup or tea.

Gan Cao Licorice Root
Gan Cao tonifies the qi of the heart and spleen, but it also works in the twelve meridians of the body. It works to ease coughs, palpitations, and shortness of breath. The root also clears heat and removes toxins from the body, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Gan Cao helps ensure balanced moisture in the skin and is an anti-inflammatory so it often used topically to heal skin conditions like eczema or other forms of dermatitis.

Sola Soft Skin Balm

Organic Olive oil is infused with thick slices of the Gan Cao and other Chinese medicinal herbs to create the base of our Soft Skin Balm. The root helps to nourish the skin, so we’ve formulated this balm to work on those parts of the body that don’t get a lot of love: the elbows, hands, and feet. We recommend massaging balm into the heels of your feet and putting on cotton socks before bed to let this balm soak into the skin as a nightly self-care ritual.  

All of the Sola Skincare products containing Chinese herbs are masterfully chosen by Eran, Christine's husband and a Dr. of Chinese medicine and herbalist. His extensive knowledge of Chinese Medicine has guided the development of Sola's product blends, many of which are enhanced with Chinese herbs that best compliment and balance the skin. Read more about Eran here and here.

Learn more about our Soft Skin Balm and its ingredients here




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in News

Every Folk: Mallory

October 20, 2024

Meet Mallory. She's a 31 year-old Educator living in Newmarket, ON.
Mallory has tried our Balancing Face Oil, Rose Hydrosol, Calendula & Rose Cleansing Grains, All Better Balm and lipbalms, and she has fallen in love. Read on to hear her thoughts. 

Continue Reading

Local pickup: how it works

October 09, 2024

Continue Reading

Coconut Deodorant Texture

October 01, 2024

Continue Reading