Liquorice (Mulethi) Benefits

Liquorice benefits the health in various ways as it strengthens bones and muscles. It is valuable in the natural treatment of bronchitis, sore throat, cough, chest congestion, mouth ulcers, peptic ulcers, kidney problems, lethargy, hair loss, and so on.

Moreover, it boosts the immune system, supports the glandular system, and improves the efficacy of other herbs. Liquorice or Mulethi is also used as a sweetener because of it pleasantly sweet, woody flavor similar to that of fennel and anise.

Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Other Names: Licorice, Sweet Liquorice, Liquorice Root, Sweetwood, Mulahti, Yashtimadhukam, Jashtimadhu, Madhuyasti, lakritze (German), regliss (French), regaliz (Spanish), lakritze (Italian)

Native Region

Liquorice root or Mulethi is a legume indigenous to Southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is grown in many parts of the world. This perennial herb belongs to the Fabaceae family.

Healing Properties

Liquorice or Mulethi has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, stimulant, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, and aphrodisiac properties. It promotes adrenal function and helps in colon cleanse.

Moreover, it increases fertility and brings testosterone levels down in women suffering from ovarian cysts. Plus, liquorice benefits in dealing with autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, etc.

Drinking liquorice tea three days prior to menstruation helps reduce menstrual cramps and symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome, owing to its mild estrogenic effects. In addition, it helps cure heartburn, chronic gastritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, kidney ailments and obesity.

The herb is useful in curing gastric and duodenal ulcers by enhancing mucosal protection. Moreover, liquorice or Mulethi serves as an excellent natural home remedy for bronchitis, asthma, dry cough, whooping cough, sore throat and other similar issues.

It is helpful in the natural treatment of low blood pressure and chronic fatigue syndrome. Furthermore, liquorice powder can be used externally to heal cold sores and genital herpes.

Check out this video giving information on liquorice health benefits.

It is believed that this herb slows the progression of HIV and has positive effects in managing cancers. In addition, taking liquorice root extract is useful in reducing symptoms of menopausal disorders as it regulates hormone production.

In terms of nutrition, liquorice is considered as a good source of iron. It is packed with bioflavonoids and antioxidants. The major active compound of this herb is glycyrrhizin, which is about 50 times sweeter than cane sugar.

It has a number of positive and therapeutic effects but is also likely to inhibit cortisol metabolism within the kidney. Thus, it is suggested not to use liquorice for more than 4-6 weeks when taking this herb for medicinal purposes.

Medicinal Uses of Liquorice (Mulethi)

• • Add a tablespoon of crushed liquorice root in two cups of water and leave it for about two to three hours. Use this solution for gargling a few times in a day to cure mouth ulcers and inflammation.

   

• • Having an infusion prepared by steeping a teaspoon of dried liquorice root powder in a cup of water is valuable in healing peptic ulcers. Follow this therapy for about a month. It also helps reduce gastritis and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

   

• • Taking DGL tablets three times in a day, half an hour before a meal, helps reduce gastric ulcers.

   

• • Liquorice benefits in relieving constipation by drinking a cup of water mixed with one teaspoon each of powdered liquorice (Mulethi) and jaggery (Gur).

   

• • Regular consumption of liquorice root tea mixed with ginger is valuable in asthma and bronchial irritation. It is recommended not to drink more than 2-3 cups of this herbal tea in a day.

   

• • Boil six cups of water mixed with two teaspoons of liquorice root and let it simmer for about 40 minutes. Apply this solution on skin to get rid of rashes. You can also add lukewarm water in it.

  

• • Applying liquorice root extract or ointment on the affected area 4-5 times in a day helps cure cold sores and outbreaks on skin due to herpes simplex virus. Moreover, application of licorice gel can relieve itching, swelling and redness caused by eczema.

   

• • You can combine liquorice (Mulethi) with other herbs such as chamomile, peppermint, etc. to relieve indigestion and heartburn.

   

• • Sucking or chewing raw licorice serves as one of the simplest liquorice home remedies for sore throat.

   

• • Expectorant benefits of liquorice or Mulethi can also be derived by boiling a cup of water mixed with a tablespoon of ginger paste and one teaspoon each of liquorice and cinnamon. Finally, add a teaspoon of honey in this home medicine and drink it to treat common cold naturally.

   

• • Mix 3/4 cup of crushed liquorice root in four cups of water and keep the solution aside for a couple of hours. Next, boil the liquid and let it steep for about five minutes. Finally, mix this solution in bath water and soak in it to reduce fatigue and treat low blood pressure.

   

• • Take equal parts of cumin and liquorice. Grind the mixture. Consume a quarter teaspoon of this home medicine along with a teaspoon of honey to relieve issues like pain in eyes and headache on one side. Follow this treatment for about a month to reduce burning sensation during urination.

   

• • Another home remedy for bleeding or burning sensation in the anal region is to roast and grind a mixture of five tablespoons of liquorice, cardamom and chebulic myrobalan (Haritaki) rind.

  Add a quarter teaspoon of this fine powder in a cup of water and mix a teaspoon of honey. Take this home medicine two times in a day.

   

• • Benefits of liquorice for eliminating bad breath can be derived simply by chewing liquorice root and gargling with a solution of a quarter cup of water mixed with half a teaspoon of licorice extract.

  

  In addition, you can have liquorice tea to combat this problem and relieve the symptoms related to acid reflux. Liquorice tea can be prepared by boiling half an ounce of liquorice root in a pint of water for 15-20 minutes.

   

• • Taking willow bark infusion mixed with liquorice root and cinnamon sticks is valuable in soothing muscle pains.

  Another liquorice home remedy for this ailment involves soaking half a cup of powdered liquorice root in a cup of water overnight and finally adding a cup of rice gruel in it. Consume this solution daily in the morning.

   

• • Prepare a paste by grinding a tablespoon of liquorice root and a quarter teaspoon of saffron along with a cup of milk. Before bedtime, apply this mixture on scalp, especially bald patches as a natural cure for hair loss.

   

• • Grinding three liquorice sticks, adding half a teaspoon of olive oil in and then applying this paste on skin helps reduce corns and calluses.

Liquorice is also used as a natural mouth freshener and antacid. Plus, herbal tea prepared from liquorice (Mulethi) alleviates nervousness, anxiety and depression. The Japanese use this herb for treating viral Hepatitis. Thick liquorice sticks are usually sweeter than the ones that are thin.

Precautions

Side effects of liquorice include water retention (retention of sodium and loss of potassium), stiffness in joints, headache, stomach ache, and shortness of breath.

Excessive consumption of this herb over a period of time may also cause high blood pressure, cardiac depression, and increase blood glucose levels.

Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL) preparations, however, may reduce the chances of developing these side effects. DGL is not effective in providing relief from respiratory infections, though.

Individuals suffering from diabetes, chronic liver inflammation, and cirrhosis of liver should avoid using this herb. Moreover, liquorice is likely to interfere with certain heart medications and diuretics. Besides, it is contraindicated in case of pregnant women.