Licorice for Canker Sores: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu, Glycyrrhiza glabra) help with canker sores? Yes, and the classical authority is unusually direct. The Bhavaprakash Madhyama Khanda, Mukha-Roga Adhikara names Yashtimadhu Kashaya, a licorice decoction held in the mouth, as the lead remedy for Mukhapaka, the Ayurvedic name for ulcers and inflammation of the oral mucosa. In a pharmacopoeia of roughly 700 herbs, Licorice is the single name classical Ayurveda returns to most consistently for an inflamed, eroded mouth lining.
Mukhapaka is framed as a Pitta-led disorder. Heat surfaces through Rasa Dhatu, the plasma layer, and combines with Rakta-Pitta and often a layer of Ama from sluggish digestion. The triggers are familiar: spicy, sour, or fermented food, alcohol, repeated trauma from sharp food or aggressive brushing, and the run-down phase after illness or stress. The visible result is a round, painful crater with a yellow-white floor and a red, burning halo, almost always on the inside of the cheek, the lip, or the soft palate.
Licorice fits this picture precisely. Its property profile is sweet and bitter (Madhura, Tikta Rasa), cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and pacifies Vata and Pitta while mildly increasing Kapha. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists Vrana Ropana (wound healing), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), and Pitta Shamaka (Pitta-pacifying) among its primary actions. For a hot, weeping, Pitta-driven ulcer on a delicate mucous membrane, this is a near-textbook match.
How Licorice Helps with Canker Sores
The mechanism by which Licorice closes a canker sore (Mukhapaka) works on three layers at once: it cools the local Pitta heat, coats the raw mucosa, and accelerates tissue repair. Each layer is grounded in a specific classical action.
The first layer is Pitta cooling. Licorice's cold potency (Sheeta Virya) and sweet, slightly bitter taste directly counter the heat that drives the burning, redness, and exquisite pain of a fresh ulcer. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classifies Yashtimadhu as Pitta Shamaka, and the classical understanding is that the sweet-cold profile is the mirror image of the sharp, hot, sour Pitta surfacing through saliva that erodes the lining in the first place.
The second layer is mucosal coating. Licorice is the prime Kanthya drug in the Bhavaprakash, the herb that physically coats and soothes inflamed mucous membranes from the mouth down through the throat. The classical description names it as a "mucus membrane toner and soother". The same demulcent action that protects an inflamed throat or an eroded gastric lining covers an open ulcer in the mouth, buying time for the underlying tissue to heal without further chemical irritation from food or saliva.
The third layer is wound healing. The Bhavaprakash lists Vrana Ropana (wound healing) and Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) among Yashtimadhu's defining karmas. Classical surgery used licorice paste with sesame and ghee to close burns and persistent ulcers; the Sushruta Samhita prescribes warm ghee with Yashtimadhu specifically to pacify intense post-surgical pain. The same regenerative action that closes a skin ulcer applies, on a faster timescale, to a shallow oral one. Modern research aligns: glycyrrhizin and the licorice flavonoids (glabridin, liquiritigenin) have documented anti-inflammatory, mucosal-protective, and antimicrobial activity, and clinical trials of licorice patches and rinses have shown faster aphthous ulcer healing and significant pain reduction versus placebo.
How to Use Licorice for Canker Sores
For a canker sore, Licorice works best as a topical contact preparation, held against the ulcer, not swallowed quickly. The classical instruction in the Bhavaprakash Madhyama Khanda for Mukhapaka is Yashtimadhu Kashaya, a licorice decoction used as a mouth-hold (Kavala) or full gargle (Gandusha). The Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 22 (Gandushadi Vidhi) places Madhuka (Licorice) inside the classical summer-season gargle list alongside cooling agents like Chandana (sandalwood). The contact time is what does the work.
Best forms for canker sores
- Yashtimadhu mouthwash (Kashaya): simmer 1 teaspoon of licorice root powder in 1 cup of water for 5 to 7 minutes, strain, cool, and use as a swish. This is the classical first choice.
- DGL chewable tablets (deglycyrrhizinated licorice): 250 to 500 mg chewed slowly so the soft tablet dissolves against the ulcer. DGL removes the glycyrrhizin component that raises blood pressure, making it the preferred form for repeated daily dosing or for anyone with hypertension.
- Yashtimadhu powder paste with honey or ghee: a pinch of powder mixed with a few drops of honey or melted ghee, dabbed directly on the sore. The Sushruta tradition of warm ghee plus licorice for mucosal pain is the template here.
| Form | Dose | Anupana / Vehicle | Timing | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licorice decoction swish (Kashaya) | 1 tsp powder in 1 cup water, simmered and strained | Cool water base | Swish 30 to 60 seconds, 3 to 4 times daily, after meals and at bedtime | 5 to 10 days, or until the sore heals |
| DGL chewable tablet | 250 to 500 mg | Chew slowly, no water | 20 minutes before each meal, 3 times daily | 1 to 2 weeks; safe for longer DGL courses |
| Yashtimadhu paste (topical) | Pinch of powder + few drops honey or ghee | Honey for acute burning; ghee for raw, dry sores | Apply directly to sore 3 to 4 times daily | 5 to 7 days |
| Yashtimadhu powder, internal | 1 to 3 g | Warm milk or cool water | Twice daily, away from meals | 2 to 4 weeks; pause if blood pressure rises |
For an acute canker sore most people see meaningful pain relief inside 24 to 48 hours and full closure in 5 to 10 days, which roughly matches the natural healing time but with much less burning and faster epithelial cover. The key is contact: the longer the licorice sits against the ulcer, the better it works. Hold the rinse in your mouth, do not drink it down fast.
Use the whole-root Yashtimadhu Kashaya for short bursts only, no more than 2 weeks of repeated daily internal use, because glycyrrhizin in continuous high doses can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. The topical swish and the DGL chewable do not carry this risk in normal use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does Licorice work on a canker sore?
Pain usually eases within the first 24 to 48 hours of regular use, and full closure of a typical aphthous ulcer is 5 to 10 days. Licorice does not magically shrink a fresh sore overnight; what it does is coat the lesion, cool the burn, and help the underlying tissue knit faster than it would on its own. The Bhavaprakash Mukha-Roga Adhikara instruction is to hold the licorice decoction in the mouth several times a day, the contact time matters more than the dose.
Why do canker sores keep coming back, and can Licorice prevent that?
Recurrent crops point to an upstream cause: persistent Pitta excess in the diet (spicy, sour, fermented, alcoholic foods), chronic stress, run-down digestion with low-grade Ama, B-vitamin or iron deficiency, or a fragile gut lining from acid reflux. Licorice helps with the local episode and reduces severity of recurrences, but on its own it does not fix the upstream trigger. A short course of DGL plus a Pitta-cooling diet for 4 to 6 weeks usually breaks the recurrence pattern.
What is the best form of Licorice for canker sores: rinse, paste, or tablet?
The licorice mouth-rinse (Yashtimadhu Kashaya) is the classical gold standard and the one Bhavaprakash names directly. DGL chewable tablets are the most convenient modern equivalent, and they are the safer choice for anyone using licorice for more than a couple of weeks. A direct paste of powder with honey or ghee is the strongest contact preparation for a single painful sore. Most people get the best result by combining a daily DGL chewable with a swish or dab at the actual ulcer.
When should I see a dentist or doctor instead of treating at home?
A canker sore that has not healed in more than 2 weeks, an unusually large or deep ulcer, painless white patches that do not rub off, recurrent crops of many sores at once, sores accompanied by fever or rash, or any sore that returns repeatedly in the same spot needs in-person evaluation to rule out leukoplakia, herpes, an autoimmune cause like Behcet's or coeliac disease, or rarely oral cancer. Licorice is for the typical, self-limited aphthous ulcer, not for atypical mouth lesions.
Licorice vs Turmeric or Aloe Vera for canker sores?
They cover different layers. Turmeric with honey is the classical Vrana Ropana paste, applied directly to dry and close the ulcer; it stings briefly. Aloe Vera gel or juice is the acute Pitta-cooling rinse, the most soothing on first contact. Licorice is the mucosal healer that lets the lining repair underneath. For a stubborn sore, a typical combination is an aloe rinse for daytime soothing, a licorice swish after meals, and a turmeric-honey dab at bedtime.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Canker Sores
If you want to start using Licorice (Yashtimadhu) for your canker sore today, here is the simplest starting point.
The single best form is a licorice mouth-rinse. Simmer 1 teaspoon of Yashtimadhu powder in 1 cup of water for 5 to 7 minutes, strain, cool, and swish for 30 to 60 seconds, 3 to 4 times a day after meals and at bedtime. The Bhavaprakash Mukha-Roga Adhikara names this Yashtimadhu Kashaya as the lead remedy for Mukhapaka. For a more convenient daily option, chew one DGL tablet (250 to 500 mg) slowly against the sore, 20 minutes before each meal.
Kitchen version: if you do not have powder, mix a pinch of any licorice tea contents with a few drops of raw honey and dab it on the ulcer.
Dosha fork: for the classic Pitta-burning red sore, the licorice rinse alone is enough. For a Vata sore (dry mouth, stress-triggered, recurrent), pair with a licorice-and-ghee dab at bedtime. For a Kapha pattern (white-coated tongue, sluggish digestion), add a pinch of turmeric to the rinse so the formula does not become too sweet and heavy.
Find DGL Licorice on Amazon ↗ Yashtimadhu Powder ↗
If a sore has not healed in more than 2 weeks, looks atypical (very large, deep, or painless white patch), or you get recurrent crops of multiple sores, see a dentist or doctor to rule out leukoplakia, an autoimmune cause, or rarely oral cancer. Avoid sustained whole-root licorice (more than 2 weeks) if you have high blood pressure; use DGL instead.
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 Canker Sores
See all herbs for canker sores on the Canker Sores 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.