Licorice for Perimenopause: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu, Glycyrrhiza glabra) help with perimenopause? Yes, in short courses during the hardest stretches. It is one of the herbs Ayurveda uses to cool the heat of the transition and soothe dry tissue, but it is not a long-term daily tonic. Courses run 6 to 8 weeks at most, with Shatavari as the ongoing base.
Ayurveda reads perimenopause as the start of Rajonivrutti, the end of menstruation, when Pitta (heat) withdraws from the reproductive system and Vata (movement and dryness) rises. Women with excess Pitta get the hot flashes, night sweats and irritability; women with rising Vata get the dryness of skin, eyes and vaginal tissue.
Licorice addresses both. It is sweet in taste and cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and it calms Vata and Pitta while it can increase Kapha. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as Pitta-calming (Pitta Shamaka), anti-inflammatory (Shothahara), strengthening (Balya) and supportive to the intellect (Medhya). It is also demulcent, meaning it coats and soothes mucous membranes, and it has mild phytoestrogenic activity.
How Licorice Helps with Perimenopause
Licorice works on perimenopause through its cooling, moistening and mildly hormonal actions. Each matches part of the Pitta and Vata picture.
Cooling the heat
In Pitta-type perimenopause, excess heat held in the blood surges as estrogen fluctuates and stops buffering it. Licorice's cold potency and sweet taste are the classical answer to that heat; the Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as Pitta-calming. The condition texts place it among the cooling herbs for this pattern, used to reduce hot flash frequency.
Soothing dry membranes
As Vata rises, it dries tissue: skin, eyes, joints and the vaginal lining. Licorice is a demulcent and a tonic to mucous membranes, so it soothes the dry membranes that come with the transition. That moistening quality is also why it is avoided where Kapha already leads, with fluid retention and heaviness.
Mild phytoestrogenic and adrenal support
Licorice has mild phytoestrogenic activity, and modern research lists its isoflavones among the compounds that act on estrogen receptors as tissues lose their usual hormonal signal. It also supports the adrenals. The same adrenal effect is the reason for its limits: with extended use it raises blood pressure through an aldosterone-like action, which is why courses are kept short.
How to Use Licorice for Perimenopause
For perimenopause, use Licorice as a short course during a bad stretch of hot flashes or dryness, then stop. Keep Shatavari running as the base.
| Form | Dose | Best For | Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licorice powder (Yashtimadhu Churna) | 1 to 3 g twice daily | Hot flashes, dry membranes | 6 to 8 weeks maximum |
| Licorice tea | 1 tsp root simmered in a cup of water | Milder daily use during a symptomatic phase; dry throat | Within the same 8-week limit |
What to take it with
The condition texts give warm water or honey as the vehicle, or Anupana. Stir honey in only once the water is no longer hot. For the Pitta pattern, pair the course with cooling, sweet foods and fewer spicy, sour and fermented ones. For vaginal dryness, combine it with nightly external sesame or coconut oil and Shatavari.
How long to expect
Run a course of up to 8 weeks, then stop. Monitor your blood pressure during the course. If a consistent herbal and lifestyle approach has not helped in 8 to 12 weeks, talk to your doctor about other options, including hormone therapy.
Who should not take it
Do not use Licorice with high blood pressure, kidney disease or corticosteroids. Avoid it if heaviness, puffiness and water retention (the Kapha pattern) lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Licorice help perimenopause hot flashes?
It is one of the cooling herbs Ayurveda uses to reduce hot flash frequency, because it is cold in potency and calms Pitta. It also has mild phytoestrogenic activity. It is meant for short courses of up to 8 weeks, alongside Shatavari.
Why can I only take Licorice for 8 weeks?
With extended use Licorice raises blood pressure through an aldosterone-like effect. Six to eight weeks is the maximum course; monitor your blood pressure while you take it.
Can I take Licorice if I have high blood pressure?
No. Avoid it with high blood pressure, kidney disease or corticosteroid use. A cooling alternative without that risk is Amla, or Guduchi where heat comes with inflammation.
Does Licorice help vaginal dryness in perimenopause?
It soothes dry mucous membranes, which is one reason it appears in Ayurvedic protocols for this phase. It works best as part of a wider approach: nightly external sesame oil (Vata) or coconut oil (Pitta), daily ghee in food, and Shatavari as the ongoing tonic.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Perimenopause
If you want to start using Licorice for perimenopause today, here is the simplest starting point: 1 to 3 g of Licorice powder twice daily with warm water, for no more than 8 weeks. Powder lets you control the dose, which matters with an herb you take in courses.
Kitchen version: simmer a teaspoon of Licorice root in a cup of water for five minutes, strain, and let it cool a little before stirring in a teaspoon of honey.
Fork by pattern. If heat leads (Pitta: hot flashes, night sweats, irritability), take it with water and keep spicy food, alcohol and coffee low. If dryness leads (Vata), keep Shatavari in warm milk at night and add nightly external sesame oil. If heaviness and fluid retention lead (Kapha), skip Licorice.
Find Licorice Root Powder on Amazon ↗ Shatavari Powder ↗
Safety: do not take Licorice with high blood pressure, kidney disease or corticosteroids, and stop by 8 weeks.
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 Perimenopause
See all herbs for perimenopause on the Perimenopause 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.