Yashtimadhu is the Sanskrit name for an herbal medication knows as Licorice in English. In India, it is also commonly known as Mulethi. It has been an important part of the Ayurvedic Medication System from a long time. Yashti means stalk or stem and Madhu means sweet. The plant of Yashtimadhu has a purple color and blooms white flowers. It grows in South Asia and also in Central Asia and Mediterranean regions. The roots of Yashtimadhu are used in herbal medication for alleviating many diseases.
The roots, which are the ones with medicinal value, are of gray color from the outside, and yellow on the inside. The active compounds that make this root beneficial are glycyrrhizin, calcium salt, amino salt, vitamins, minerals and other needed ingredients. Glycyrrhizin itself is more than 50 times sweeter compared to sugar. For this reason, it was earlier used as a sweetener, but later it was found more effective for medicinal purposes.
The most common use of Mulethi or Yashtimadhu has been to treat throat problems. At one time, before the days of cough syrups, it was common to chew Mulethi for relieving cough related problems. Chewing Mulethi brought near instant relief from cough. Yashtimadhu is a “bronchodilator”, that is, it is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs. It is this quality that enables relief from cough. This quality of Yashtimadhu is also applied by cigarette manufacturers in a different way – they blend tobacco with Yashtimadhu (They, of course, call it Licorice!) so that cigarette smoke becomes easier to inhale.
So next time you have cough, you might consider chewing Mulethi like our earlier generations did, rather than rely on a chemical based cough syrup!
The other most important use of Yashtimadhu is to remove bad breath. Yashtimadhu happens to have strong antibacterial properties also. It has been, of course under different names, a subject of research by modern day scientists. Even a prominent toothpaste company described how Licorice roots can prevent tooth and gum decay and help with bad breath by killing bacteria:
Its medicinal properties also enable relief from other ailments. Here is a brief summary:
1. Yashtimadhu consists of anti-inflammatory agents and demulcents that fight against most of the common skin problems. Apply the concentrated extract of Yashtimadhu roots in the infected skin areas for quick relief. Some of the sunscreens also contain Yasthimadhu in their formulation to prevent the skin burn in the sun.
2. Flavonoids present in Yashtimadhu help in reducing body fats.
3. Small amounts of Yashtimadhu helps to maintain the digestion and also clears bowel movements. It also helps treat constipation and acidity.
Yashtimadhu, because of its sweetness, can be added to tea (as a replacement of sugar), though it has a different flavor than sugar and may not be to everyone’s liking.
However, Yashtimadhu should be taken in small quantities. Consuming large quantities can increase blood pressure, and excessive consumption by pregnant women can create complications. It is best to use it in consultation with a doctor.