Liquorice (Mulhathi)
Also known as
Latin : Glycyrrhiza glabra
English : Liquorice
Sanskrit : Yastimadhuh
Hindi : Jetimad, Mulhathi
Marathi : Jeshta madhu
Tamil : Atimaturam
Telugu : Atimadhuram
Malayalam :Irrattimadhuram
Kannada : Jesthamadhu
Caution�Liquorice is best avoided in pregnancy, heart and kidney disease and for prolonged periods.
How it looks�It is a tall, perennial undershrub, about 1 metre high, with violet bunched flowers and fibrous chocolate brown roots, which are yellow inside. The roots emit a sweet
and pleasant odour.
What we use�Roots
What it does�It is a mild laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, intellect - promoting and haematinic
How we use it�
In
anaemia�Make a decoction with a tsp of liquorice powder and water and drink twice a day with some honey.
In
bleeding per rectum�Make a decoction of 2 tsp of liquorice root powder and water and take with honey twice a day.
In
blood vomiting�Mix a tsp each of liquorice and sandal powder in milk and take twice a day.
In
flatulence�Mix a tsp each of liquorice and sugar in water and drink from time to time.
In
sore throat�Boil liquorice roots, tail pepper seeds and a few sugar candy crystals in milk and take an ounce thrice a day with honey to soothe throat irritation.
In
stomach ulcers�The dry roots are soaked overnight in water and mixed with rice gruel and taken twice a day to heal gastric ulcers.
In
teeth cavities�Powder liquorice sticks, pepper and ginger and fill the cavity with it. You can also use it as a tooth powder.
To
increase breast milk secretion�A tsp of the powder should be consumed with milk and sugar twice a day by lactating mothers to increase production of milk.
In
epilepsy/fits�Take a tsp of liquorice powder with the juice of ash pumpkin for 3 days consecutively.
In
pain in the bladder region-�Boil a tsp each of liquorice powder and raisins in milk and drink twice a day for relief from the pain.
In
emaciation in children�Boil 1/2 tsp of liquorice in milk ,add some sugar and give the child this to drink twice a day to improve overall development.
For
bone and joint problems�Take liquorice powder with milk to relieve joint aches strengthen bones and for general good health.
In
corns�When a corn starts sprouting, grind liquorice roots in mustard oil / gingelly oil and rub it in at bed time to soften the budding corn.
Modern Study
Anti-inflammatory effects of extracts of liquorice were demonstrated in experimental studies.
