Mulethi-licorice powder
Mulethi-licorice powder has a centuries long repute of being the ultimate grandma’s remedy for cough and sore throat.The holistic science of Ayurveda terms this root powder as Yashtimadhu.This traditional herb exhibits manifold benefits and is extensively used in several folk remedies and classical Ayurvedic formulations to treat respiratory problems, obesity, skin infection, general debility, gastric problem and many more. It is often handed over to chew on whenever someone’s got a sorethroat or a chest or nasal congestion.
It’s scientific name is Glycyrrhiza glabra comes from the fabaceae family.
Ayurvedic Indications-
• Deepana (enhances stomach fire)
• Pachana (helps in digestion)
• Rochana (stimulates appetite)
• Anulomana (improves breathing)
• Kashahara (Relieves cough)
• Vamana (prevents nausea and vomiting)
• Vayasthapana (prevents ageing)
• Dahahara (Relieves burning sensation)
• Mehhara ( treats UTIs )
• Prameha (manages diabetes)
• Rasayani (rejuvenates the whole body)
• Balya (improves muscle strength)
• Kustha (treats skin disorders)
• Varnya (improves complexion)
• Krimihara (relieves intestinal worms)
• Vrushya (acts as an aphrodisiac)
• Kanthaya (improves voice)
• Shwasha (relieves breathing difficulties)
• Arsha (treats piles)
• Krichra (treats painful micturition)
• Hridya ( supports heart)
Effect on Doshas –
Mother nature bless this herb with Madhura rasa and Guru and snighdha guna. It intrinsically portrays Shita virya and Madhura vipaka.
Beingheavy and unctuous, it has an antagonistic effect towards vata dosha whereas having a sweet metabolic taste and cold potency helps the herb to pacify the pitta doshas. Due to its effect on the doshas, this herb is mentioned as one of the Medhya Rasayan that has a strong
,,,rejuvenative effect on the body and also helps to improve memory and intellectual capabilities.
Benefits and Uses –
• Promotes Digestion
It is an excellent digestive herb. The anti- flatulent property of the roots reduces the formation of gas in the alimentary canal, this reducing flatulence, bloating and abdominal distension.
• Remedies Respiratory Troubles
It is an one shot remedy for all sort of respiratory problems. Having powerful anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and anti-asthmatic properties, mulethi/licorice powder plays a lead role in treating the common cold, cough and flu symptoms.It also thins and slackens phelgm deposits within the chest and nasal cavities and hence eases breathing and helps the body to get rid mucus.It is also beneficial in treating bronchitis and asthmatic conditions.
• Treats Gastritis
The potent anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of glycyrrhizic acid help suppress the toxic bacteria Helicobacter pylori and also prevents it from growing in the gut. Being a natural antacid, it reduces the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which in turn decreases gastritis.
• Aids in Weight loss
The abundance of flavonoids in mulethi powder, helps the body shed excess weight faster. Being loaded with fibre and essential nutrients, when taken regularly it saturates the hunger and presents overeating.
• Manages High cholestrol
It acts as a cardio-tonic root, as it efficiently diminishes the levels of bad cholestrol and triglycerides in the body, prevents the deposition of plaque in the blood vessels and also decreases atherosclerosis, thus reducing risk of heart blocks, strokes and heart attacks.
• Heals ulcers
Its anti-inflammatory properties holds high significance in treating different types of ulcers like ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, mouth ulcers etc. It also helps to speed up the healing process in the inflamed mucosal layer and reduce the risk of ulceration.
• Manage diabetes
The production of insulin from the beta- pancreatic cells becomes active in the consumption of mulethi powder. Adequate dosage of the powder also helps to reduce the breakdown of starch into glucose and hence manage diabetes.
• Improve cognitive abilities
Mulethi has potent brain boosting properties. The powerful antioxidants and flavonoids present in the mulethi-licorice powder improve the memory capacity, concentration, focus, calmness and alertness of an individual.
As it is a Medhya Rasayan herb, it improves memory power, reasoning, problem solving and other cognitive abilities. It present the risk of several psychotic diseases like epilepsy, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
• Regulate Hormones
It is known for its influence on the adrenal glands. The phytoestrogenic bio-active substances in it is extremely beneficial in keeping the hormonal balance, battling menstrual cramps and provide relief from mood swings, hotflashes, depression, insomnia, sweating etc. during the menstrual cycle. It also increases the production and secretion of breast milk.
• Enhances immunity
Mulethi holds high worth in improving the general stamina and energy level of the body. The bioactive ingredients in mulethi reduce general debility, weakness and fatigue and improve the vitality of the body. It also improves the function of the liver, kidney and adrenal glands which in turn helps in reducing the stress levels.
• Augments skin problems
It efficiently scavenges free oxygen radicals from the body and diminishes Oxidative damage. Being a vata-pitta pacifier, it flushes out the AMA toxins from the internal layers of the skin, promotes overall skin health and treats various skin infections like eczema, acne, pimples, rashes, boiIs etc.
When used in the form of cleanser, toner or spot correcting geIs, it reduces hyperpigmentation and dark circles to leave behind a spotless glowing skin.
• Promotes hair growth
It promotes hair growth. It effectively increases blood circulation in the scalp and hair follicles, which in turn enriches the roots by bringing in more nutrients through the blood supply and help new hair growth.
Dosage –
The precise healing dosage of mulethi powder may vary from person to person depending upon the age, severity and condition of the patient.
The minimum therapeutic dosage may range between 1-3 grams for adults, twice daily in fused in lukewarm water or milk, before meals or as advised by the doctor.
Side effects –
As this magical root, is a remedy for all health anomalies, still it is not suggested to be taken on a regular basis unless recommended by the doctor.
Overdose of mulethi-licorice powder may cause bloating or water retention in the body by reducing potassium and spiking sodium levels in the body. Excessive intake of this powder can even lead to hyper-mineralicortroidism, which in turn causes moderate hypertension and hypertensive encephalopathy.
It is strictly advised not to take mulethi-licorice powder during pregnancy or breastfeeding without doctor’s knowledge as it can cause preterm delivery in pregnant women and can lead to abnormal allergic effects in the new-born baby as the medicine may get secreted through breast milk.
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