Licorice for Endometritis / PID: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu) help with endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease? Yes, and the indication is direct: classical Ayurvedic texts use Licorice specifically for pelvic inflammation, and the Ayurveda Encyclopedia lists it among the key herbs for Yoni Vyapad alongside Gotu Kola, Amla, Punarnava, Turmeric, and Neem. Its job here is the anti-inflammatory, mucosal-healing, and hormonal-modulating layer of post-PID recovery.
Licorice is sweet and bitter in rasa, cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and one of the most frequently used drugs in classical Ayurveda. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists its primary actions as Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Vrana Ropana (wound-healing), Pitta Shamaka (cools Pitta), Varnya (complexion-enhancing), Vrishya (reproductive tonic), and Balya (strengthening). The Bhavaprakasha also classifies Licorice as Shukrala (semen-enhancing) and notes its phyto-oestrogenic profile that gives it a recognised role in menopause and hot flashes and in heavy periods. For endometritis and PID, the wound-healing and anti-inflammatory actions are the central ones.
Be clear about Licorice's place. Active PID is a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics; Licorice has documented antiviral and mild antibacterial activity but does not have the strength or selectivity to handle acute pelvic infection on its own. Where Licorice excels is as a convalescence and tissue-healing adjunct: cooling the inflamed endometrium, supporting the cortisol-stress axis that runs hot through recurrent infection, and helping to rebuild the mucosal lining of the reproductive tract. The classical Sushruta Samhita practice of irrigating surgical wounds with warm ghee and Yashtimadhu sits in this same tissue-healing tradition.
How Licorice Helps with Endometritis / PID
The mechanism by which Licorice helps with endometritis and PID rests on four overlapping actions, each of which addresses a specific layer of the condition: direct anti-inflammatory action, mucosal wound-healing, cortisol and stress-axis support, and mild phyto-oestrogenic balance.
The anti-inflammatory action is the lead. Licorice's cold potency (Sheeta Virya) directly cools Pachaka Pitta and the heated Rakta Dhatu in the pelvis, and its Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) classification places it among the standard tools for systemic and local inflammation in classical practice. Modern pharmacology confirms this in detail: glycyrrhizin and its metabolite carbenoxolone are among the most-studied natural compounds for mucosal inflammation, and the wider triterpenoid profile contributes anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This makes Licorice particularly useful for the residual chronic-low-grade inflammation that often lingers in the endometrium after antibiotic-treated PID.
The mucosal wound-healing action is what gives Licorice its second role here. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classifies it as Vrana Ropana (wound-healing), and the Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthana) describes irrigating surgical wounds with warm ghee mixed with Yashtimadhu. The same demulcent, mucosal-protective action that makes Licorice the classical first-line for peptic ulcers applies to the inflamed endometrial and cervical mucosa of post-PID recovery. Modern preparations and DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) build on this same mucosal-healing tradition.
The cortisol-and-stress-axis action gives Licorice its quieter, longer-term role. Glycyrrhizin slows the breakdown of cortisol, producing a mild, sustained adrenal-supporting effect that lines up with the Ayurvedic classification of Licorice as Balya (strengthening) and Jivaniya (vitalising). Women recovering from PID often present with the exhausted, post-infection burnout picture, and Licorice supports the HPA axis underneath without the stimulant edge of true adaptogens.
The phyto-oestrogenic action is the fourth layer. Licorice carries a recognised phyto-oestrogenic profile that classical texts have used for menopause, heavy periods, and pelvic inflammation. This makes it particularly useful when post-PID convalescence carries cycle irregularity, breakthrough spotting, or hormonal imbalance alongside the inflammatory picture. The Bhavaprakasha's classification of Licorice as Vrishya (reproductive tonic) reflects exactly this hormonal-modulating role.
How to Use Licorice for Endometritis / PID
For endometritis and PID convalescence, the most useful Licorice forms are the milk decoction for Rasayana depth, the medicated ghee for deep mucosal healing, and DGL tablets for daily long-term use when blood-pressure concerns rule out whole-root preparations. Use in short, cycled courses rather than continuously, the same caution that applies to Licorice for menopause applies here.
| Form | Dose | Anupana (vehicle) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licorice powder (Churna) | 1 to 3 g, twice daily | Warm water or honey | Pitta-cooling, throat and gut soothing during convalescence |
| Decoction (Yashtimadhu Kashaya) | 30 to 60 ml, twice daily | Plain, warm, before meals | Inflammation, bleeding tendency, deeper systemic action |
| Milk decoction (Ksheerapaka) | 100 to 150 ml | Plain (already in milk) | Reproductive Rasayana; milk buffers glycyrrhizin for safer longer use |
| Medicated ghee | 1 to 2 tsp daily | Before meals, empty stomach | Deep mucosal healing of endometrial lining |
| DGL tablets | 380 to 760 mg, chewed | 15-20 min before meals | Daily long-term use without blood-pressure risk |
How to take it for this specific picture
For post-PID convalescence with a clear Pitta-inflammation picture (burning, low-grade pelvic heat, irritated mucosa, mild breakthrough spotting), the cleanest classical entry is the milk decoction (Ksheerapaka): simmer 3 to 5 g of crushed Licorice root in 100 ml of water and 100 ml of milk together until only the milk remains, strain, drink warm in the morning or at bedtime. Traditional sources note explicitly that milk preparation is one of the ways Licorice's cautions "are removed"; it buffers glycyrrhizin and makes the preparation safer for longer-term use.
For women with hypertension, heart disease, or any sodium-retention concern, switch to DGL tablets (380 to 760 mg chewed 15 to 20 minutes before meals). DGL keeps the demulcent and mucosal-healing compounds intact while removing the glycyrrhizin entirely, this is the right form for daily long-term use in any reader where the blood-pressure caution applies.
What to combine it with
- With warm milk: the classical Ksheerapaka; the standard reproductive Rasayana form.
- With ghee: deep mucosal healing for inflamed endometrium and chronic Pitta picture.
- With Amla: the classical Pitta-cooling pair; Amla rebuilds Rakta Dhatu while Licorice heals the mucosal lining.
- With turmeric: for the chronic low-grade inflammation layer with stagnant heated blood.
- With Shatavari: for the reproductive tissue rebuilding and hormonal modulation layer.
Duration and cycling
Licorice for endometritis and PID is used in short cycled courses, typically 4 to 8 weeks of active use, then paused for a similar or longer period before another course. This cyclical use protects against glycyrrhizin's sodium-retention and blood-pressure effects. DGL can be used continuously if needed.
Important cautions
A safe daily maximum for whole-root preparations in most healthy adults is around 3 g of powder (or 100 mg glycyrrhizin). Beyond that, sodium retention, potassium loss, and blood-pressure elevation become real risks. Avoid Licorice (whole-root forms) in hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, low potassium, pregnancy, and alongside diuretics or digoxin. Active PID is a medical emergency that requires antibiotics; Licorice is convalescence support, not a primary treatment for acute infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Licorice treat an active PID infection?
No. Active PID is a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Untreated PID can scar the fallopian tubes and lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain. Licorice has mild antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity but does not have the strength or selectivity to clear acute pelvic infection. Its role here is convalescence, cooling residual Pitta, healing the inflamed mucosal lining, and supporting the cortisol-stress axis. Fever, severe pelvic pain, or abnormal discharge always needs immediate medical evaluation.
Is Licorice safe during pregnancy after a PID history?
Whole-root Licorice is generally avoided in pregnancy, glycyrrhizin can affect fetal cortisol levels and has been linked in observational studies to higher risk of preterm birth and behavioural effects in offspring at higher exposures. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is the safer option if Licorice is needed during pregnancy, and even then under practitioner guidance. If you are pregnant after a PID history, switch to Amla in food form, Chyawanprash, or Shatavari in milk as your Rasayana base instead.
How long does Licorice take to work for chronic endometritis?
For symptom changes, less burning, calmer mucosal feel, reduced spotting, expect 3 to 6 weeks of consistent daily use. For deeper mucosal healing of the endometrial lining, plan on 6 to 8 weeks per course, then a 4 to 8 week pause before the next course. The cycled approach is the safer pattern for whole-root Licorice; DGL can be taken continuously without the same constraint.
Licorice or Gotu Kola for endometritis, which should I pick?
They do different work and pair well. Gotu Kola is the alterative-and-nervine that purifies the heated Pitta-Rakta blood and steadies the nervous system underneath; Licorice is the mucosal healer and anti-inflammatory that targets the inflamed endometrial lining directly. A common pattern is Gotu Kola twice daily for the blood and nerves layer, plus a 4 to 8 week course of Licorice milk decoction for the mucosal layer. For the discharge-drying Kapha picture, see Bibhitaki; for blood-rebuilding, Amla.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Endometritis / PID
If you want to start using Licorice for endometritis or PID convalescence today, here is the simplest entry that fits most readers.
Best form for this pair: the classical milk decoction (Ksheerapaka). Simmer 3 to 5 g of crushed Licorice root in 100 ml of water and 100 ml of milk together until only the milk remains, strain, drink warm at bedtime. Milk buffers the glycyrrhizin and makes Licorice safer for longer-term reproductive Rasayana use. Run this in 4 to 8 week courses with a 4 to 8 week pause between.
Kitchen version: for the simplest no-equipment option, add 1 teaspoon of Licorice powder to a cup of just-boiled milk with a pinch of rock sugar, cover, steep for 10 minutes, drink warm. For daily long-term use without blood-pressure risk, switch entirely to DGL tablets (380 to 760 mg chewed 15 to 20 minutes before meals).
Dosha fork:
- Pitta-hot acute (burning, irritated mucosa, light spotting): Licorice milk decoction at bedtime, plus Amla in cool water with honey in the morning.
- Kapha-discharge chronic (sticky white discharge, heaviness): Licorice is the wrong lead here, its sweet, moist nature can increase Kapha. Use Bibhitaki instead.
- Vata-thin recurrent (anxiety, weight loss, broken sleep, exhausted post-infection): Licorice milk decoction at bedtime, plus Shatavari in the same cup for reproductive rebuilding.
Find Licorice on Amazon ↗ DGL Chewable ↗
Safety: Active PID requires medical antibiotics; use these herbs only as adjunct after diagnosis and during convalescence. Fever, severe pelvic pain, or abnormal discharge needs immediate medical evaluation. Avoid whole-root Licorice in hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, low potassium, pregnancy, and alongside diuretics or digoxin; switch to DGL when these apply.
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 Endometritis
See all herbs for endometritis on the Endometritis 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.