In brief: Mulethi is known in English as liquorice root (licorice in American spelling), the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, a tall perennial plant of the Fabaceae family. Its Sanskrit name, Yashtimadhu, joins Yashti, wood, and Madhu, honey: honey-like wood. The botanical name comes from the Greek for sweet root, and its sweet taste comes from the compound glycyrrhizin. Classical Ayurveda describes Mulethi as sweet in taste, cold in potency and heavy and unctuous in quality, places it with Vata and Pitta and counts it among the Rasayana herbs. Ask a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before personal use.
Do you know an ancient plant traditionally cherished by warriors and soldiers for their stamina? It is the Yashtimadhu!
Yashtimadhu, commonly known as Liquorice or Mulethi, is a tall perennial plant renowned in tradition for its valued place in herbal lore. Scientifically named Glycyrrhiza glabra and belonging to the Fabaceae family, its name is derived from Greek: 'glykos' meaning 'sweet' and 'rhiza' meaning 'root', aptly naming it 'sweet root'. In Ayurveda, the herb Yashtimadhu derives its name from 'Yashti,' meaning 'wood,' and 'Madhu,' meaning 'honey,' thus it is known as 'honey-like wood.'
Despite being 40 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, Yashtimadhu owes its distinct sweet taste to the compound glycyrrhizin. Revered as 'Sarvarogaprashamani,' this herbal powder was widely cherished by ancient physicians, who shared it with soldiers and warriors as part of their tradition of supporting endurance and stamina.
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
- Taste (Rasa): Sweet (Madhura)
- Potency (Virya): Cold (Sita)
- Quality (Guna): Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdh)
- Effect on Doshas: Balances Vata and Pitta, nurtures Kapha
- Special Properties: Traditionally associated with the eyes (Chakshushya), with strength (Balya), and revered as a rejuvenator (Rasayana)
THE TRADITIONAL USES OF YASHTIMADHU
1. Respiratory & Digestive Wellness
Yashtimadhu has traditionally been valued in Ayurveda for supporting respiratory and digestive comfort. It has long been cherished within classical practice for soothing the throat and supporting the breath, and as a comforting herb for the digestive system.
2. Calm & Comfort
Including licorice root in your daily diet is traditionally associated with a sense of calm and helps you feel more settled and balanced through the day.
3. A Cherished Daily Herb
Licorice root has long been a valued part of traditional daily routines, woven into the Ayurvedic approach to balanced, wholesome living.
4. Traditionally Strengthening
One of the qualities for which Mulethi is cherished is its place in tradition as a strengthening, fortifying herb for everyday vitality and wellbeing.
5. A Herb Valued in Tradition
Licorice root is a source of antioxidants and has long been a cherished herb within classical Ayurvedic tradition, valued as part of a balanced lifestyle.
6. A Comforting Herb for the Skin
Licorice root is traditionally cherished in skincare rituals, valued for supporting the comfort and softness of dry skin and the look of an even, healthy-looking complexion.
7. Part of a Balanced Lifestyle
Licorice root is traditionally enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Including it alongside a regular exercise routine fits naturally within a mindful, active everyday lifestyle.
8. Soothing for the Throat
Licorice root has long been cherished as a comforting, soothing herb for the throat. It is traditionally valued within Ayurveda for supporting respiratory comfort and an easy breath.
9. Energising & Refreshing
Licorice is known in tradition as a refreshing, energising herb that helps you feel revitalised, thanks to its sweet and rejuvenating properties.
10. Digestive Comfort
Licorice is traditionally cherished for supporting digestive comfort and a settled feeling, thanks to its cooling and soothing nature.
11. Comfort for the Joints
According to Ayurveda, the joints are linked with Vata, where aggravated Vata is associated with discomfort in the joints. Licorice is traditionally valued for balancing Vata and supporting everyday joint comfort and ease of movement.
LICORICE FOR THE SKIN
1. Supports an Even-Looking Tone
Licorice can be applied topically to help the appearance of sun spots and create the look of an even skin tone. It is traditionally cherished within skincare rituals for caring for skin exposed to the sun.
2. Brightens Skin
Topical application of licorice powder to the desired areas is traditionally valued for the look of uneven tone, helping the skin appear smoother and brighter.
3. Smooths the Look of Marks
Mulethi powder is traditionally cherished for helping even out the appearance of skin tone and softening the look of marks. It is a favourite for topical application within skincare rituals.
4. Cares for Mature-Looking Skin
The antioxidants in licorice powder help care for the skin, supporting a fresh, youthful-looking appearance. It is traditionally valued within skincare rituals for skin exposed to the sun.
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Frequently asked questions about Mulethi
What is Mulethi (मुलेठी) called in English? Mulethi, written मुलेठी in Hindi, is called liquorice root in English, or licorice root in American spelling. Its botanical name is Glycyrrhiza glabra, and in Sanskrit it is Yashtimadhu. All of these names refer to the same plant, a tall perennial of the Fabaceae family whose root is used in Ayurveda.
Is Mulethi the same as liquorice? Yes. Mulethi is the Hindi name for liquorice root, the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Liquorice is the British spelling and licorice the American spelling of the same word. In classical Ayurvedic texts the same plant appears under its Sanskrit name, Yashtimadhu, so all three names point to one root.
What is Yashtimadhu? Yashtimadhu is the Sanskrit name of Mulethi, or liquorice root. The word joins Yashti, meaning wood, and Madhu, meaning honey, so it can be read as honey-like wood, after the sweet taste of the root. It is the name used in the classical Ayurvedic texts for Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Where does the name Glycyrrhiza come from? The botanical name of Mulethi, Glycyrrhiza glabra, comes from Greek: glykos means sweet and rhiza means root, so the name means sweet root. The Sanskrit name Yashtimadhu, honey-like wood, points to the same quality. Both names describe the sweetness for which the root has long been known.
Why does Mulethi taste sweet? The sweet taste of Mulethi comes from glycyrrhizin, a compound found in the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The sweetness is behind both of its classical names: the Greek botanical name means sweet root and the Sanskrit name Yashtimadhu means honey-like wood. In Ayurveda its taste (Rasa) is classed as sweet, Madhura.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Mulethi? Classical Ayurveda describes Mulethi with a sweet taste (Madhura Rasa), a cold potency (Sita Virya) and heavy, unctuous qualities (Guru and Snigdha Guna). It is placed with Vata and Pitta, which it is described as balancing, while it is described as nourishing Kapha. It is counted among the Rasayana herbs of the tradition.
How is Mulethi traditionally used in Ayurveda? Mulethi is traditionally used as a dried root, ground to a powder, and it has long been part of daily Ayurvedic routines. The powder is also used externally in traditional skincare rituals. Follow the label of any Mulethi product and ask a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner which form and amount suit you.
Can Mulethi be taken in pregnancy, by children or with medication? Ask your doctor or a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner first. Mulethi, or liquorice root, is a strongly sweet root that the tradition classes as heavy and cold, and whether it suits a person depends on the individual. Follow the label of any product containing Mulethi and do not exceed the stated amount.
