Licorice for Burns: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu / Madhuka, Glycyrrhiza glabra) help with burns (Dagdha / Agnidagdha)? Yes, and the classical authority is unusually direct. The Ashtanga Hridaya, in Chapter 30 on Kshar-Agnikarma (alkali and cautery wound treatment), prescribes a paste of Madhuka mixed with sesame and ghee for burns that are slow to heal or have ulcerated: "Paste of tila (sesame), and Madhuka mixed with ghee heals the ulcer." The same chapter names Yashti (Licorice) and tila together as the paste to apply when the burn site does not heal from a deep wound. Licorice is the named Vrana Ropana herb for chronic, non-healing burn ulcers.
The Ayurvedic case rests on a property profile that is unusual among healing herbs. Licorice is sweet and slightly bitter in taste (Madhura, Tikta Rasa), cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and pacifies Vata and Pitta. Its named karmas in the Bhavaprakash Nighantu include Vrana Ropana (wound-healing), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Pitta Shamaka (Pitta-pacifying), and Varnya (complexion-improving). For a burn, the cold potency calms the residual Pitta heat, the sweet rasa nourishes regenerating tissue, and the Vrana Ropana action drives epithelial repair.
Licorice is best understood as the healing and demulcent layer of a burn protocol, used after the acute heat has been quenched. It pairs naturally with Aloe Vera (the polysaccharide-rich cooling demulcent), Sandalwood (the pure cooling agent), and ghee (the classical Pitta-pacifying vehicle). Its specific role is the stubborn, non-healing or ulcerated burn, the picture Ashtanga Hridaya identifies, where the surface is not closing despite the acute phase having passed. For deep, charred, or extensive burns, Licorice is an adjunct to emergency medical care, never a substitute.
How Licorice Helps with Burns
A burn that does not close on schedule sits in two overlapping problems: residual Pitta inflammation in the wound bed, and depleted local tissue that has not been able to rebuild. The acute cooling herbs (Aloe, Sandalwood) address the first; tissue-nourishing Vrana Ropana herbs address the second. Licorice is the rare herb that does both at once.
The cold potency (Sheeta Virya) calms the residual Pitta heat in the wound bed, the same mechanism that makes Licorice classical for peptic ulcers and inflamed mucous membranes. Where Sandalwood cools by direct surface action and Aloe by polysaccharide film, Licorice cools through a sweet, demulcent extract that penetrates into and coats inflamed tissue.
The sweet rasa (Madhura) with its tissue-nourishing quality drives the Vrana Ropana action named in the Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Sweet taste in Ayurveda is associated with Brimhana (nourishing) action on the dhatus; for a wound bed depleted by inflammation and fluid loss, this is exactly what re-epithelialization requires. The Shothahara action then reduces the swelling and oedema that linger around the burn edge, the same anti-inflammatory action documented in modern research on glycyrrhizin and the licorice flavonoids.
Modern phytochemistry identifies glycyrrhizin (a triterpene saponin roughly 50 times sweeter than sucrose) and licorice flavonoids (liquiritin, isoliquiritin, glabridin) as the active compounds. Glycyrrhizin has documented anti-inflammatory, mucosal-protective, and wound-healing activity in topical and oral preparations. The classical pairing of Licorice with ghee is significant: ghee itself is Pitta Shamaka and tissue-nourishing in Ayurveda, and it serves as a fat-soluble vehicle that carries glycyrrhizin and the flavonoids into the wound bed without the heating action that pure herbal powders can have.
How to Use Licorice for Burns
For burns, Licorice is used primarily as a topical paste with sesame and ghee, the form named in the Ashtanga Hridaya for non-healing burn ulcers. Internal use supports tissue repair from inside during the recovery phase. The form to buy is plain peeled Yashtimadhu root powder or, for internal use, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) tablets, which avoid the blood-pressure effect of long-term internal glycyrrhizin.
Classical Licorice and ghee paste (post-acute phase)
The Ashtanga Hridaya formula is direct: mix 1/2 teaspoon of Licorice (Madhuka) powder with 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seed paste (or ground sesame seeds) and 1 teaspoon of ghee to form a thin paste. Apply a thin film over the cooled, closed-blister burn or over a slow-healing burn ulcer that has not closed on schedule. Cover loosely with sterile gauze. Change once daily until the wound closes. This is the named classical paste for the burn surface that "does not get torn from an ulcer because of being deep rooted".
Licorice in medicated ghee for open wounds
For open, weeping burn surfaces where a dry paste cannot be safely applied, Licorice-infused ghee or a medicated ghee containing Yashtimadhu is the safer form. Jatyadi Ghrita contains Licorice alongside turmeric and other Vrana Ropana herbs. Apply a thin layer, cover with sterile gauze, change daily.
Internal use during recovery
For larger or systemic burns where Pitta-Raktapitta is running high, a Licorice decoction taken internally cools the systemic heat and supports tissue repair. Steep 1/2 teaspoon of Licorice powder in 200 ml hot water for 10 minutes, strain, and drink twice daily. For longer courses (over 2 weeks), switch to DGL tablets to avoid the blood-pressure effect. Licorice taken with warm milk (1/2 teaspoon powder in 200 ml warm milk) is the classical convalescent drink for healing wounds.
| Form | Dose / Preparation | Timing | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licorice + sesame + ghee paste (topical) | 1/2 tsp each + 1 tsp ghee, thin film | Once daily | Until wound closes |
| Jatyadi Ghrita (medicated ghee with Licorice) | Thin layer over wound + sterile gauze | Once daily | Until wound closes |
| Licorice decoction (internal) | 1/2 tsp powder in 200 ml hot water, steeped 10 min | Twice daily | Up to 2 weeks |
| Licorice in warm milk | 1/2 tsp powder in 200 ml warm milk | Before bed | 2 to 3 weeks during recovery |
| DGL tablets (long-term internal) | 380 to 760 mg before meals | Twice daily | 4 weeks or longer if needed |
Anupana matters: take internal Licorice with warm milk for tissue nourishment, or with ghee for Pitta-pacification. Avoid plain hot water alone, which strips the demulcent quality. Skip Licorice for people with hypertension, fluid retention, heart failure, or kidney disease, the glycyrrhizin component has aldosterone-like activity that raises blood pressure with sustained internal use; DGL is safer for these groups. Topical use is not affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Licorice the right choice for a burn?
Licorice is the named classical herb for slow-healing burn ulcers, the picture Ashtanga Hridaya describes as "the site of the burn does not get torn from an ulcer because of being deep rooted." If a minor burn has not closed on schedule (typically beyond 7 to 10 days for first-degree, beyond 14 days for small blistering burns), Licorice in a sesame and ghee paste is the classical Vrana Ropana intervention. For the acute hot, painful, first-day phase, Aloe Vera and Sandalwood are first-line; Licorice's role begins once the acute heat has settled.
Can I take Licorice internally during burn recovery?
Yes, in short courses. A Licorice decoction or Licorice in warm milk supports systemic tissue repair and cools residual Pitta-Raktapitta heat. Limit standard licorice (root powder, decoction, asava) to 2 weeks; for longer recovery courses, switch to deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) tablets, which retain the mucosal-soothing flavonoids without the glycyrrhizin that can raise blood pressure. Avoid internal Licorice altogether if you have hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, or are on diuretics; topical paste is not affected.
How is the classical Licorice-sesame-ghee paste different from Jatyadi Ghrita?
The classical Ashtanga Hridaya paste is a simple three-ingredient home preparation: Licorice powder, sesame seed paste, and ghee, ground fresh and applied. Jatyadi Ghrita is a complex medicated ghee containing Licorice alongside turmeric, neem, Karanja, and other Vrana Ropana herbs, processed using the classical Sneha Kalpana method. Practical rule: use the simple paste for shallow non-healing burns at home; use Jatyadi Ghrita for deeper wounds, open weeping surfaces, or where antimicrobial action is needed.
Licorice vs Aloe Vera for burns, what is the difference?
Different phases, different roles. Aloe Vera is the acute phase herb: cooling, demulcent, polysaccharide-rich gel that goes on within minutes of the burn and keeps the surface moist through closure. Licorice is the healing and stubborn-wound herb: sweet, demulcent, tissue-nourishing, classical for burn ulcers that are not closing. They have overlapping demulcent and Pitta-pacifying action but Licorice has the named Vrana Ropana indication for chronic burn wounds that Aloe does not. In practice the classical protocols use both: Aloe gel as the early base, Licorice-sesame-ghee paste once a wound becomes stubborn.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Burns
If you want to start using Licorice for a burn today, here is the simplest starting point. Licorice is the herb for the post-acute, healing, and stubborn-wound phase, not the first hour.
Best form for burns: the classical Yashtimadhu-sesame-ghee paste. The Ashtanga Hridaya formula uses three pantry-accessible ingredients. Mix 1/2 teaspoon Licorice (Yashtimadhu) powder, 1/2 teaspoon sesame seed paste (or freshly ground sesame seeds), and 1 teaspoon ghee into a thin paste. Apply a thin film over a cooled, closed-blister burn or over a burn ulcer that has not closed on schedule. Cover loosely with sterile gauze. Change once daily until the wound closes.
Kitchen alternative for open weeping surfaces: use Jatyadi Ghrita, the classical medicated ghee that contains Yashtimadhu alongside turmeric, neem, and other Vrana Ropana herbs. Thin layer, sterile gauze, daily change.
Dosha fork: For Pitta-type burns with strong residual heat, add internal Licorice support: 1/2 teaspoon Licorice powder in 200 ml warm milk at bedtime for 1 to 2 weeks. For longer recovery, switch to deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) tablets to avoid the blood-pressure effect of sustained glycyrrhizin. For Vata-type slow-healing burns with dry, parchment-like skin around the wound, the sesame-ghee component of the classical paste is especially important.
Find Yashtimadhu Powder on Amazon ↗ Jatyadi Ghrita ↗
Safety: Topical Licorice paste is safe across the burn-healing window. Internal Licorice (powder, decoction, asava) should be limited to short 2-week courses, avoid altogether if you have hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, or are on diuretics or corticosteroids; the glycyrrhizin component has aldosterone-like activity that raises blood pressure. DGL is the safer internal form for long courses. Seek emergency care for burns larger than your palm, on face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals, charred or leathery tissue, chemical, electrical, or inhalation burns.
Safety & Precautions
Licorice is one of the most-used herbs on earth, but it is also one of the very few Ayurvedic herbs with a well-documented, dose-dependent side-effect profile. The active compound glycyrrhizin is the reason for both its power and its cautions. The good news: nearly all of the risk is avoidable by understanding dose and form.
The Hypertension Warning (Read This First)
Glycyrrhizin inhibits the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which allows cortisol to act on mineralocorticoid receptors. The practical result is pseudoaldosteronism, the body behaves as if aldosterone is elevated. This means:
- Sodium and water retention, blood pressure rises
- Potassium loss through urine, risk of hypokalaemia
- In extreme cases: muscle weakness, arrhythmia, and oedema
Classical Ayurveda describes this directly: Licorice "increases water around the heart" and is contraindicated in hridroga (heart disease) and swelling. Modern cardiology agrees. Do not take therapeutic doses of whole-root Licorice if you have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, low potassium, or a history of stroke. For any of these, DGL is the safe alternative.
Dose Matters Enormously
The difference between "daily tonic" and "adverse event" is dose and duration:
- Culinary/trace amounts (a piece of root in tea, a lozenge), safe for virtually everyone
- 1-3 g/day of powder, short-term (up to 4-6 weeks), safe for most healthy adults
- Above 3 g/day, or daily for months, real risk of BP elevation and potassium loss, even in previously healthy people
- DGL, no glycyrrhizin, effectively no BP risk at any typical dose
Drug Interactions
Licorice can meaningfully interact with several common medications. If you are on any of the following, consult your doctor before using therapeutic doses:
- Diuretics (especially thiazides and loop diuretics), compounds potassium loss dangerously
- Digoxin, low potassium increases digoxin toxicity risk
- Corticosteroids, Licorice extends their half-life and effect
- Warfarin, may alter bleeding risk
- Blood pressure medication, Licorice directly opposes the drug's action
- Oral contraceptives and hormone therapy, phyto-oestrogenic effect may potentiate
- Insulin and oral hypoglycaemics, Licorice can affect blood sugar in either direction
Pregnancy and Nursing
Classical Ayurveda states plainly: do not use in pregnancy. Modern observational data aligns, high Licorice intake during pregnancy is associated with preterm labour and second-trimester bleeding risk. Small culinary amounts and DGL are likely fine, but therapeutic whole-root use should be avoided. During breastfeeding, small amounts appear safe, but avoid prolonged high-dose use.
Other Cautions
- High Kapha individuals, Licorice's sweet, heavy, moist qualities can aggravate Kapha and worsen oedema, congestion, or sluggishness. Combine with ginger or black pepper to offset.
- Low potassium diet, Licorice increases potassium excretion. Pair with potassium-rich foods (banana, spinach, coconut water).
- Calcium absorption, chronic high-dose use may interfere with calcium absorption; classical texts flag caution in osteoporosis.
- Hypoglycaemia, Licorice can lower blood sugar; take with food if prone.
Signs You Are Taking Too Much
Watery weight gain, puffy face, ankle swelling, muscle weakness or cramps, headaches, and unexplained BP elevation. If any of these appear, stop immediately, effects usually resolve within 1-2 weeks once the herb is discontinued.
Other Herbs for Burns
See all herbs for burns on the Burns page.
▶ Classical Text References (5 sources)
Meat juice (Mamsarasa) which is not very thick, Rasala (curds churned and mixed with pepper powder and sugar), Raga (syrup which is sweet, sour and salty) and Khandava (syrup which has all the tastes, prepared with many substances), Panaka panchasara, (syrup prepared with raisins (draksha), madhuka, dates (karjura), kasmarya, and parushaka fruits all in equal quantities, cooled and added with powder of cinnamon leaves, cinnamon and cardamom etc) and kept inside a fresh mud pot, along with leav
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 3: Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal
117-118 मोचखजूरपनसना रकेलप षकम ् आ ाततालका मयराजादनमधूकजम ् सौवीरबदरा कोलफ गु ले मातको वम ् वातामा भशुका ोडमक ु ू लक नकोचकम ् उ माणं यालं च बं ृहणं गु शीतलम ् दाह त यहरं र त प त सादनम ् वाद ुपाकरसं ि न धं व टि भ कफशु कृत ् Mocha (plantain), kharjura (dates) panasa (jack fruits) narikela (cocoanut ) parusaka amrataka , tala, kasmarya, rajadana, madhuka, badara, ankola, phalgu, slesmataka, vatama, abhisuka, aksoda, mukulaka, nikocaka, urumanam, and priyala make the body stout, not easily di
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 6: Annaswaroopa Food
Similarly so, are Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Mrdvika (grapes) Madhuka and dry grapes – both have similar qualities.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 9: Dravyadi Vigyaniya
Similarly so, are Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Mrdvika (grapes) Madhuka and dry grapes – both have similar qualities.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 9: Dravyadi Vigyaniya
But dry grape has mild purgative action, but Madhuka does not.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 9: Dravyadi Vigyaniya
, Rishabhaka, Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra, Madhuka – Madhuka longifolia, Bimbi – Coccinia grandis / indica, Vidari – Pueraria tuberosa, the two Sravani – Mundi and Sravani, Ksheerasukla, Tugaksiri, the two Ksheerini, Gambhari, the two Saha, milk, sugarcane, Gokshura, Ksaudra, Draksa etc.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 10: Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
, Rishabhaka, Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra, Madhuka – Madhuka longifolia, Bimbi – Coccinia grandis / indica, Vidari – Pueraria tuberosa, the two Sravani – Mundi and Sravani, Ksheerasukla, Tugaksiri, the two Ksheerini, Gambhari, the two Saha, milk, sugarcane, Gokshura, Ksaudra, Draksa etc.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 10: Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
It usually contains Madanaphala (Randia spinosa), Licorice etc.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 18: Vamana Virechana Vidhi
Similar is the case of Anuvasana – fat enema and Matra basti – fat enema with very little oil 34-36 Anu taila जीव तीजलदे वदा जलद व से यगोपी हमं दाव व मधुक लवागु वर पु ा व ब वो पलम ् धाव यौ सरु भं ि थरे कृ महरं प ं ु ट रे णक ु ां कि ज कं कमला वलां शतगुणे द ये अ भ स वाथयेत ् ३७ तैला सं दशगण ु ं प रशो य तेन तैलं पचेत ् स ललेन दशैव वारान ् पाके पे चदशमे सममाजद ु धं न यं महागुणमुश यणुतैलमेतत ् ३८ Jivanti, Jala, Devadaru, Jalada, Twak, Sevya, Gopi (sariva), Hima, Darvi twak, Madhuka, Plava, A
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 20: Nasya Vidhi Nasal
13-15 For Shamana- Madyama, medium kind of smoke शमने श लक ला ा प ृ वीका कमलो पलम ् य ोधोद ु बरा व थ ल रो वचः सताः यि टमधु सुवण वक् प कं र तयि टका ग धा चाकु ठतगराः useful drugs are - shallaki, Laksha,Prithvika, Kamala, Utpala, Barks of Nyagrodha, Udumbara, Asvattha, Plaksa and Rodhra; Sita, Yasthimadhu (licorice), Suvarnatwak, Padmaka, Raktayastika Kustha, tagara and other scents – perfumeries.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 21: Dhumpana Medicated Smoking
Herbal smoking blends – Dhuma dravyani – For Mridu- mild kind of smoke, म ृदौ त या यगु गु गुलु मु त थौणेयशैलेयनलदोशीरवालकम ् वय गकौ तीमधुक ब वम जैलवालुकम ् ीवे टकं सजरसो यामकं मदनं लवम ् श लक कुं कुमं माषा यवाः कु द ु काि तलाः नेहः फलानां साराणां मेदो म जा वसा घ ृतम ् useful drugs are-Aguru, Guggulu, Musta, sthauneya, Shaileya, Nalada, Usheera, Valaka, Varanga, Kounti, Madhuka, Bilvamajja, elavaluka, Shrivestaka, Sarjarasa, Dhyamaka, Madana, Plava, Shallaki, Kumkuma, Masha, Yava, Kunduruk
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 21: Dhumpana Medicated Smoking
For Greeshma (summer) – कुमुदो पलक हारद ुवामधुकच दनम ् Kumuda, Utpala, Kalhara, Durva, Madhuka and Chandana (Sandalwood).
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 22: Gandushadi Vidhi Gargles
the ulcer should be covered with cotton swab soaked in a mixture of honey, melted ghee, Anjana – Srotonjana, ash of Ksyauma (flax), Phalini, fruit of Shallaki, Rodhra and Madhuka; then bandaging and other measures done as described previously.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 29: Shastrakarma Vidhi
If the site of the burn does not get torn from an ulcer because of being deep rooted, then a paste of seed of Dhanyamala-(sour gruel), Yashti (licorice) and tila (sesame) should be applied; तलक क: समधुको घ ृता ता णरोपण: । Paste of tila (sesame), and Madhuka mixed with ghee heals the ulcer.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 30: Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
If the site of the burn does not get torn from an ulcer because of being deep rooted, then a paste of seed of Dhanyamala-(sour gruel), Yashti (licorice) and tila (sesame) should be applied; तलक क: समधुको घ ृता ता णरोपण: । Paste of tila (sesame), and Madhuka mixed with ghee heals the ulcer.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 30: Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya, Ch. 3, Ch. 6, Ch. 9, Ch. 9, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 10, Ch. 18, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch. 21, Ch. 22, Ch. 29, Ch. 30, Ch. 30
Similarly so, are Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Mrdvika (grapes) Madhuka and dry grapes – both have similar qualities.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dravyadi Vigyaniya
, Rishabhaka, Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra, Madhuka – Madhuka longifolia, Bimbi – Coccinia grandis / indica, Vidari – Pueraria tuberosa, the two Sravani – Mundi and Sravani, Ksheerasukla, Tugaksiri, the two Ksheerini, Gambhari, the two Saha, milk, sugarcane, Gokshura, Ksaudra, Draksa etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
It usually contains Madanaphala (Randia spinosa), Licorice etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Vamana Virechana Vidhi
Sita, Yasthimadhu (licorice), Suvarnatwak, Padmaka, Raktayastika Kustha, tagara and other scents – perfumeries.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dhumpana Medicated Smoking
If the site of the burn does not get torn from an ulcer because of being deep rooted, then a paste of seed of Dhanyamala-(sour gruel), Yashti (licorice) and tila (sesame) should be applied;
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dravyadi Vigyaniya; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their; Vamana Virechana Vidhi; Dhumpana Medicated Smoking; Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
[249] Sauviranjana, tuttha, tapya-dhatu (maksika), manahshila, chaksushya (variety of kulattha), madhuka (Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra), loha bhasma(iron), precious stones, pushpanjana, saindhava, tusk of boar, kataka – strychnos potatorum may be used in the form of either powder or varti as collyrium which is excellent remedies for timira (cataract) and such other eye-diseases.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
[278 ½- 279½] Recipe for restoration of hair: Application of the paste of tila – sesame (Sesamum indicum), amalaki – Phyllanthus emblica, kinjalka, madhuka– Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra and honey over the head restores the color of hair, and promotes hair growth.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Also: Murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), Madhurasa/Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra — licorice), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Pushkara Moola (Inula racemosa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), and Trikantaka/Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
The famous Dashanga Lepa (ten-ingredient paste) is made from: Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck), Madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice), Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum, cardamom), Mansi (Nardostachys jatamansi, spikenard), Nisha Yugma (Curcuma longa and Berberis aristata), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), and Balaka (Pavonia odorata).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
By applying a paste of Yashti (licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra), Indivara (blue lotus, Nymphaea stellata), Mridvika (raisins, Vitis vinifera), sesame oil, and ghee, Indralupta (alopecia areata) is cured and the hair becomes dense and strong.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
This nourishing paste combines the anti-inflammatory licorice with cooling blue lotus and nutritive raisins in an oil-ghee base.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
A paste of Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Nilotpala (blue lotus, Nymphaea stellata), Daru (Cedrus deodara), Chandana (sandalwood, Santalum album), Madhuka (licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra), and Bala (Sida cordifolia), mixed with ghee and decoction -- this destroys Vata-type Visarpa (erysipelas/herpes).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
The intense pain caused by the fall of the surgical instrument on the body is pacified by irrigation with warm ghee mixed with Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra / licorice) (42).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 5: Agropaharaniya Adhyaya - Surgical Instruments and Procedures
Key principles: (1) Only close clean wounds, (2) Post-op lifestyle restrictions, (3) Seasonal adjustment of wound care frequency, (4) Emergency exceptions to protocol, (5) Warm ghee with licorice for post-surgical pain — licorice has proven anti-inflammatory properties.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 5: Agropaharaniya Adhyaya - Surgical Instruments and Procedures
Milk boiled with saindhava (rock salt), udicya, yashtimadhu (licorice), and pippali (long pepper), reduced to half — is beneficial for irrigation (seka) and also for ashchyotana (eye drops).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Madhuka (licorice), rajani (turmeric), pathya (haritaki), and devadaru (cedar) should be ground.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Draksha (grapes), audra, chandana (sandalwood), yashtimadhu (licorice), yoshit-tira, and rajyanka — ground to a paste with ghee, these are recommended for tarpana (eye nourishment), seka (irrigation), and nasya (nasal therapy).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 5: Agropaharaniya Adhyaya - Surgical Instruments and Procedures; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 10: Pittabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Pitta-type Conjunctivitis)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.