Licorice for Nightmares: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu, Glycyrrhiza glabra / यष्टिमधु) help with nightmares (Duhswapna)? Yes, in a specific supporting role. Licorice is not a direct sedative the way Jatamansi is, nor a primary nervine like Brahmi. Its place in the nightmare toolkit is as the cooling, sweet, sattvic carrier that the classical home-remedy literature names by name in the tranquillity tea: "make a tea from equal proportions of jatamamsi, brahmi, ginkgo, and yashti madhu (licorice root), drinking a cup of this tea before going to bed will help create a more peaceful mind and body". This is the explicit, documented inclusion of Licorice in the classical nightmares protocol.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classifies Licorice as Medhya (intellect-promoting), Balya (strengthening), Pitta Shamaka, Kanthya (throat-soothing), and Shothahara (anti-inflammatory). The Charaka Samhita places Yashtimadhu in the elite group of four Medhya Rasayana herbs alongside Mandukaparni (Gotu Kola), Guduchi, and Shankhapushpi. Editorial classical commentary names "mental calming" and "nourishes the brain, increasing cranial and cerebrospinal fluid" among its specific actions, and describes its spiritual quality as Sattwic, giving "contentment and harmony", the precise quality the texts assign to peaceful sleep.
Licorice is sweet and bitter in rasa (Madhura, Tikta), cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), with sweet vipaka. Its dosha effect is VP- K+ (pacifies Vata and Pitta, mildly increases Kapha). For nightmares specifically, three properties matter: the cooling action settles overheated Sadhaka Pitta, the sweet-unctuous quality grounds aggravated Vata in the Manovaha Srotas, and the Sattvic action softens the harsh emotional content that drives violent dreams. Used inside the four-herb tranquillity tea or in warm-milk decoction with Brahmi, Licorice plays the supportive cooling-and-sweetening role that the more potent nervines need to balance their bitter, drying nature.
How Licorice Helps with Nightmares
Licorice works on nightmares through three connected mechanisms, all of which position it as the supportive Sattvic carrier in classical Medhya formulas rather than the primary sedative.
Cooling Sadhaka Pitta and softening violent dream content
Nightmares in Ayurveda track most closely with Sadhaka Pitta, the heart-centred Pitta that processes emotional content. When it scorches at night, from late dinners, alcohol, unresolved frustration, or hot conflicts of the day, the dreams turn violent: Pittaja dreams of fire, fighting, killing, exams, conflict. Licorice is the classical Pitta Shamaka with Sheeta Virya (cooling potency) and sweet-bitter taste. Its action on Sadhaka Pitta is the same action that makes it the lead herb for acid reflux and inflamed mucosa, applied to the heart-mind axis. Editorial classical commentary describes Licorice as "nourishing the brain, increasing cranial and cerebrospinal fluid", a description that captures the cooling, moistening, settling action the texts assign to Yashtimadhu in mental calming.
Grounding Vata through sweet, unctuous, sattvic action
Vata-pattern nightmares are active, hyper, dry, and plentiful, the dreams of being chased, falling, jumping, locked-up. Licorice is sweet in rasa and sweet in vipaka, with VP- dosha effect; the sweet-unctuous quality directly grounds aggravated Vata in the Manovaha Srotas. What distinguishes Licorice among nervines is its Sattvic spiritual quality. Classical commentary describes it as giving "contentment and harmony", the same quality of mind the texts assign to peaceful dreamless sleep. This Sattvic action softens the harsh, fragmented, threatening content that drives the worst dreams and replaces it with the quieter mental field that allows ordinary rest.
The Medhya Rasayana classification and synergy with primary nervines
The Charaka Samhita's first chapter of Chikitsa Sthana enumerates four Medhya Rasayanas: Mandukaparni (Gotu Kola), Yashtimadhu (Licorice), Guduchi, and Shankhapushpi. Yashtimadhu Churna is prescribed specifically with milk as the carrier. Among these four, Licorice plays a unique role: it is both a Medhya in its own right and the classical anupana (vehicle) that carries other Medhya compounds into nervous tissue. Its sweet-unctuous quality combined with cooling potency makes it the ideal partner for the harsher, bitterer nervines, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Shankhapushpi, that lead the nightmare protocol. The tranquillity-tea recipe (Brahmi, Jatamansi, ginkgo, Licorice) is built around this synergy: the bitter Medhyas do the calming work, Licorice softens and sweetens the formula and helps it reach Majja dhatu.
How to Use Licorice for Nightmares
Licorice for nightmares is best used as the supportive Sattvic cooler in classical Medhya formulas, the role the home-remedy literature names directly. The four-herb tranquillity tea is the most directly cited preparation. As a single herb, Licorice in warm milk provides a gentle cooling-and-grounding bedtime drink, especially useful in Pitta-pattern dream disturbance.
| Use | Form | Dose | Anupana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical tranquillity tea | Licorice with Brahmi, Jatamansi, ginkgo (equal parts) | 1 teaspoon mix per cup, steeped 10 minutes | Hot water, sipped before bed |
| Bedtime nervine milk | Licorice churna in warm milk | 1 to 3 g (about quarter to half teaspoon) | Warm milk with pinch of nutmeg |
| Pitta-pattern dreams | DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) lozenge or powder | 500 mg to 1 g | Warm water or cool milk, 30 minutes before bed |
| Heart-mind cooling tea | Licorice with Brahmi (1:1) | 1 teaspoon mix per cup, steeped 10 minutes | Warm water with honey, before bed |
The four-herb tranquillity tea is the directly cited classical preparation: equal parts Brahmi, Jatamansi, ginkgo, and Licorice powder, one teaspoon of the mix steeped in a cup of hot water for ten minutes, sipped warm before bed. Drink one cup nightly for two to four weeks for chronic dream disturbance, or once an hour before sleep on nights when nightmares have been a recent pattern. Children can take a third to a half of the adult dose with the same instructions.
For Pitta-pattern dreams (fire, conflict, exams, violence), Licorice churna alone in cool milk before bed (1 to 3 g) provides direct Sadhaka Pitta cooling. The classical Yashtimadhu-Brahmi pairing in warm milk is the named Charaka preparation for the Medhya Rasayana effect and works well as a daily bedtime drink for chronic Pitta-driven dream disturbance.
Cautions: Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which at sustained internal doses can raise blood pressure, retain sodium, and deplete potassium. Limit single-herb internal use to four to six weeks, then break for two weeks before resuming. For sustained daily use, prefer DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), which removes the glycyrrhizin component. Avoid in pregnancy, in active hypertension, in heart failure, in hypokalemia, in cirrhosis, and with diuretic or corticosteroid medications. The tranquillity-tea recipe stays inside safe limits when used at standard dose for short courses. Licorice mildly increases Kapha; reduce dose in Kapha-heavy patients with fluid retention or weight gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Licorice work on its own for nightmares?
Mildly. Licorice has Medhya Rasayana classification and Sattvic action, but its main role in the nightmare protocol is as the cooling, sweet, supportive partner to the primary nervines. Used alone in warm milk before bed, Licorice can settle Pitta-pattern dreams of fire and conflict and gently ground anxious Vata, but for stronger or more chronic dream disturbance it needs to be combined with Brahmi, Jatamansi, or Shankhapushpi. The classical four-herb tranquillity tea is its most directly cited use for this picture.
Is it safe to take Licorice every night for sleep?
Not in the standard glycyrrhizin-containing form for sustained use. Whole Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which at daily doses above 100 mg over several weeks can raise blood pressure and deplete potassium. For routine nightly use over more than four to six weeks, choose DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), which removes the glycyrrhizin component while preserving the soothing, mucosal, and mildly Medhya actions. Inside the four-herb tranquillity tea taken once a day, the Licorice content is well within safe limits.
Licorice vs Brahmi for nightmares?
Both are Medhya Rasayana herbs, and they work better together than alone. Brahmi is the primary cognitive-cooling nervine, the lead herb for the over-fired Pitta mind and the racing-thought pattern. Licorice is the Sattvic carrier and gentle Pitta cooler, the herb that softens the mental field and supports the Brahmi action by carrying it into the nervous tissue. The classical Charaka pairing of Yashtimadhu Churna with milk as the carrier reflects this exact role: Licorice as the sweet, unctuous, mild Medhya, with primary nervines doing the heavier work.
Can I give Licorice to my child for nightmares?
Yes, in modest doses inside the tranquillity tea. The home-remedy literature explicitly names the four-herb tea as suitable for children as well as adults. The classical dose for children is a third to a half of the adult amount: a quarter to half teaspoon of the tea mix per cup, sipped warm before bed. Single-herb Licorice in warm milk also works for children with Pitta-pattern hot dreams (fire, conflict), at half a gram of powder per cup of milk. Avoid sustained daily use over four weeks without practitioner guidance.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Nightmares
If nightmares have started showing up regularly, Licorice belongs in the bedtime formula rather than as a stand-alone fix. Its Sattvic, cooling, sweet-unctuous nature softens the mental field that produces hot, violent, anxious dreams, and the classical Medhya Rasayana classification gives it a quiet long-term role. The home-remedy literature names it by name in the four-herb tranquillity tea, the most directly cited preparation for this picture.
The best everyday form is the classical tranquillity tea: equal parts powdered Brahmi, Jatamansi, ginkgo, and Licorice root, one teaspoon of the mix steeped in a cup of hot water for ten minutes, sipped warm thirty minutes before bed. Add a teaspoon of honey if the bitter notes need softening. Drink nightly for two to four weeks; the dream pattern usually settles within the first ten days.
The kitchen version is simpler: 1 to 3 grams of Licorice powder simmered for two minutes in 250 ml of warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg and a teaspoon of ghee. This is the classical Yashtimadhu-with-milk preparation Charaka names for Medhya effect. Warm milk is the ideal anupana, it grounds Vata, cools Sadhaka Pitta, and carries the herb into Majja dhatu.
Dosha fork: Vata-anxious dreams (chased, falling, hyperactive) respond best to the Licorice-in-warm-milk preparation with extra ghee and pair well with Brahmi or Jatamansi. Pitta-overheated dreams (fire, conflict, killing, exams) are Licorice's specific target through its cooling Sadhaka Pitta action; take in cool milk rather than warm and lead with the four-herb tranquillity tea. Kapha-heavy dreams (drowning, lethargy, gardens) call for less Licorice, since its sweet-unctuous quality can amplify Kapha; use only the tranquillity-tea form and pair with an earlier, drier dinner.
Find Licorice on Amazon ↗ DGL for Daily Use ↗
Safety closing: Licorice addresses the cooling and Sattvic layer of nightmare protocols and works best inside formulas led by stronger nervines. Avoid sustained internal use in hypertension, heart failure, low potassium, cirrhosis, pregnancy, and with diuretic or corticosteroid medications; choose DGL or limit to short courses if any of these apply. As with any herbal sleep protocol, this is not a substitute for clinical evaluation in PTSD-driven recurrent nightmares, sleep apnea-related dream disturbance, medication or substance withdrawal dreams, or flashback-pattern post-traumatic dreams.
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 Nightmares
See all herbs for nightmares on the Nightmares 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.