Mulethi | Licorice Root | मुलेठी

What Is Mulethi (Licorice Root)?

Mulethi is the dried root of the licorice plant, a shrubby perennial native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean. India imports large quantities from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Iran, and also cultivates it domestically in Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The root contains glycyrrhizin (20–50 times sweeter than sugar), flavonoids including liquiritin and glabridin, and the demulcent polysaccharide isoliquiritigenin. In Ayurveda, it is classified as Madhura (sweet), Snigdha (unctuous/demulcent) and Sheeta (cooling), making it a Pitta- and Vata-pacifying herb.

Names in Other Languages

How to Identify Genuine Mulethi

• Colour: Externally grey-brown with a fibrous texture; internally bright yellow to pale orange. The yellow colour comes from flavonoids including liquiritin.
• Taste: Distinctly sweet at first — unmistakably so — followed by a slight bitterness and mild licorice flavour. Tasteless or purely bitter pieces lack glycyrrhizin.
• Smell: Characteristic sweet, slightly anise-like aroma. Very faint smell indicates old or poor quality root.
• Texture: Fibrous and stringy in raw form. Clean cross-section should show clear yellow-orange interior. Mouldy or very dark brown interior indicates poor storage.
• Powder check: Genuine Mulethi powder is pale yellow to yellowish-tan. Adulterated powder with added flour or starch will taste bland.

Traditional Uses

Mulethi (Yashtimadhu) has one of the longest documented histories of any medicinal herb. NCCIH confirms that licorice preparations have been used in traditional medicine worldwide for throat and gastrointestinal support.

• Throat and respiratory support: Mulethi is Ayurveda's primary demulcent herb — it coats and soothes the inflamed throat lining, reduces dryness and irritation in dry cough, and supports expectoration in wet cough. Classically indicated in Kasa (cough), Swasa (breathlessness) and Shwasatantra (respiratory system) conditions.
• Digestive support: NCCIH notes licorice root's traditional use for gastric discomfort and mild stomach complaints. Mulethi supports the protective mucus layer of the stomach lining and is used in traditional formulations for mild acidity. See our acidity remedies guide.
• Immunity support: Glycyrrhizin in Mulethi has adaptogenic properties traditionally associated with supporting immune function.
• Skin health: Glabridin in Mulethi has traditional use in skin-care preparations for reducing uneven skin tone and supporting skin health. It does not change skin colour — it supports overall skin wellness.
• Oral health: Mulethi has traditional antimicrobial use in tooth powders and oral rinses for gum health and fresh breath.
• Liver support: Some traditional formulations use Mulethi for liver wellness. People with fatty liver should consult their doctor — do not stop prescribed medication.
• Menstrual support: Traditional Ayurvedic use includes Mulethi in formulations for women's reproductive wellness. Consult a doctor for any menstrual health concern.

These are traditional uses. Mulethi is an herbal ingredient; it is not a medicine and does not treat or cure any disease.

How to Use Mulethi

• Mulethi tea (for cough and throat): Steep ½ tsp Mulethi powder or 1–2 small pieces of raw root in a cup of hot water for 5–10 minutes. Strain and sip warm. Add honey and ginger for enhanced effect. 1–2 cups per day.
• Raw root chewing: Chewing a small piece of raw Mulethi root is a traditional practice for throat soothing and oral health. Spit out the fibrous pulp after chewing.
• For digestion: ½ tsp powder in warm water after meals.
• For skin (topical): Mix Mulethi powder with rose water or plain water to form a paste; apply as a face pack for 10–15 minutes; rinse with water.
• Typical dose: 1–3g of powder or 2–4g of root daily in adults. Do not exceed 4–6 weeks of continuous daily use without a break.

Raw vs Powder

Product Details

Safety and Precautions

• Blood pressure: Glycyrrhizin in Mulethi can raise blood pressure and cause potassium loss in high doses or with prolonged daily use. People with hypertension must consult their doctor and should not exceed recommended doses or use daily for more than 4–6 weeks without a break.
• Pregnancy: Avoid regular internal use during pregnancy — glycyrrhizin may affect fetal development at high doses. Normal culinary amounts are generally considered low-risk, but medicinal use requires medical guidance.
• Kidney or liver disease: Consult your doctor before regular use — do not stop prescribed medication.
• Oedema and heart conditions: Mulethi's fluid-retaining properties (due to glycyrrhizin) can worsen oedema or cardiac conditions. Do not use without medical guidance if you have these conditions.
• Daily long-term use: WHO guidelines caution against consuming more than 100mg glycyrrhizin daily on an ongoing basis. Limit daily use to the recommended amounts and take regular breaks.

See a doctor for persistent cough, throat pain, severe acidity or any ongoing health concern. Mulethi supports mild, short-term complaints; it is not a treatment for diagnosed respiratory or gastrointestinal disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we consume mulethi daily?

Mulethi can be consumed daily for short periods (up to 4–6 weeks at standard doses — ½ to 1 tsp per day). Prolonged high-dose daily use is not recommended due to glycyrrhizin's effects on blood pressure and potassium levels. Take a 2–4 week break after each course. People with hypertension or kidney issues should consult their doctor.

Is mulethi cold or hot in nature?

Mulethi is classified as Sheeta (cooling) in Ayurveda — making it a Pitta-pacifying herb. This is why it is especially effective for conditions involving heat, inflammation or burning — like throat irritation, acidity and skin redness. Its cooling nature makes it suitable for summer and for Pitta-dominant constitution.

What are the side effects of mulethi?

In standard culinary and herbal amounts, Mulethi is safe. At high doses or with prolonged daily use, glycyrrhizin can cause: raised blood pressure, fluid retention, low potassium (which can affect heart rhythm), and in rare cases, muscle weakness. People with hypertension, heart or kidney disease should use with medical supervision.

Is mulethi good for fatty liver?

Some studies suggest glycyrrhizin from Mulethi may support liver health, and it is used in traditional Ayurvedic formulations for liver wellness. However, fatty liver is a medical condition that requires dietary changes, exercise and medical management. Mulethi may support overall liver wellness as a supplement — consult your doctor, and do not stop prescribed medication.

Is mulethi harmful for skin?

No — Mulethi is generally well-tolerated on skin. Its active compound glabridin supports skin health and is used in traditional preparations for even skin tone. Topical use (face packs with Mulethi powder) is safe for most skin types. Patch test before applying to sensitive or reactive skin. It does not bleach or change skin colour.

Can mulethi be taken in pregnancy?

Regular medicinal internal use during pregnancy is not recommended — glycyrrhizin may affect fetal hormone levels at high doses. Some studies have associated high licorice intake in pregnancy with adverse outcomes. Occasional culinary use in small amounts is generally considered lower risk, but consult your doctor before any regular supplemental use during pregnancy.

Information reviewed by Vaidya Ravinder Arora (40+ years), Dhanyawad Ayurved Vatika, Dwarka, New Delhi. Traditional uses only; not medical advice.