Licorice for Pulmonary Congestion: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu) help with pulmonary congestion (Kapha Avarodha)? Yes, and it sits in a very specific seat. Licorice is the lead Kanthya (throat-soothing) and demulcent expectorant of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, classically the prime herb for the inflamed, dry, or raw chest where Kapha congestion sits on top of irritated Pittaja tissue. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classifies it as Kanthya, Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), and lists expectorant action among its primary uses.
Pulmonary congestion in classical Ayurveda is Kapha Avarodha, mucus blocking the Pranavaha Srotas (respiratory channel). The pattern most herbal protocols cover well is cold, white, mobile Kapha, but a sizeable subset of cases sits on top of inflamed bronchial tissue: hoarse cough, raw throat, burning behind the sternum, dry tickling cough that hurts to clear. This is the Vata-Pitta-aggravated chest, and Licorice is the herb for it. Sweet and bitter in taste (Madhura, Tikta Rasa), cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and pacifying to Vata and Pitta (VP- K+), it coats the inflamed mucosa, calms the cough reflex, and gently mobilises mucus without piling more heat on an already irritated airway.
Licorice is the third major ingredient of Sitopaladi Churna, the classical post-illness lung-and-throat tonic, and a foundational ingredient of Talisadi Churna. The classical pairing for chest congestion is direct: a 1 to 1 Ginger-Licorice tea, where Ginger handles the cold Kapha and Licorice handles the inflamed throat. Used in short courses with the standard caveats around blood pressure, it is one of the most reliable cooling expectorants in the Ayurvedic toolkit.
How Licorice Helps with Pulmonary Congestion
Licorice's action on pulmonary congestion runs through three connected mechanisms, all tied to a property profile that is the mirror image of the warming respiratory herbs. The herb is sweet and bitter in taste (Madhura, Tikta Rasa), cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), sweet in post-digestive effect (Madhura Vipaka), and unctuous (Snigdha). The dosha effect is VP- K+: it strongly pacifies Vata and Pitta while mildly increasing Kapha, which is why it is rarely used alone in pure cold-wet Kapha congestion and almost always paired with a warming herb like Ginger or Pippali.
The first mechanism is demulcent coating of the bronchial and throat mucosa. Licorice's sweet, viscous nature physically coats the inflamed lining, calming the dry tickling cough that drives night-time congestion and stops the abrasive cough-clear-cough cycle that keeps the chest raw. The second is Shothahara, anti-inflammatory action on the irritated mucosa underneath the mucus; this is the reason Licorice works on the Pittaja layer of congestion that pure expectorants cannot reach. The third is expectorant: classical action lists place expectorant alongside Kanthya in Licorice's profile, and its mild Kapha-mobilising quality helps move thinned mucus out of the lower airway.
Modern pharmacology supports the same picture. Glycyrrhizin and the flavonoid fraction (glabridin, liquiritigenin) have documented anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protective effects, with measurable expectorant and antitussive activity in laboratory studies. The classical observation that Licorice "coats the throat and soothes the burning" and the modern observation that glycyrrhizin reduces airway inflammation are describing the same biology. The whole-root form raises blood pressure and depletes potassium in long-term high doses; for sustained daily use in chronic congestion the safer choice is DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), which preserves the mucosal-soothing flavonoids while removing the glycyrrhizin.
How to Use Licorice for Pulmonary Congestion
Licorice for pulmonary congestion uses three main forms. A simmered decoction is the classical first-line for chest and throat irritation; the powder paired with honey is the acute home remedy when the cough turns dry and raw; Sitopaladi Churna is the long-term post-illness lung tonic.
Forms and Doses for Pulmonary Congestion
| Form | Dose | Best For | Anupana / How to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licorice decoction (Yashtimadhu Kashaya) | 1 cup, 2 to 3 times daily | Inflamed chest, raw cough, hoarse voice with congestion | Simmer 1 tsp Licorice root in 2 cups water for 10 minutes; sip warm |
| Licorice and Ginger 1:1 tea | 1 cup, 3 times daily | Mixed Kapha-Pitta congestion, the universal pairing | 1/2 tsp Licorice + 1/2 tsp grated Ginger simmered in 2 cups water; honey when warm |
| Licorice powder with honey | 1/4 to 1/2 tsp twice daily | Dry tickling cough with chest tightness, irritated airway | Mixed to a paste with 1 tsp honey; lick slowly so it coats the throat |
| Sitopaladi Churna (contains Licorice + Pippali + bamboo manna) | 1/2 to 1 tsp twice daily | Post-illness chest recovery, chronic lingering congestion | With honey or warm water; the classical lung tonic |
| DGL (deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) | 250 to 500 mg chewable, twice daily | Long-term use, anyone with blood-pressure concerns | Chewed before meals; safe for extended daily use |
Anupana for Pulmonary Congestion
Honey is the standard anupana for Licorice in chest congestion. Sweet and Kapha-cutting, honey balances Licorice's mild Kapha-increasing tendency and adds a demulcent layer on the vocal and bronchial mucosa. Always add honey only after the liquid has cooled to drinking temperature. For Vata-dry congestion with a parched throat, warm milk with a quarter teaspoon of ghee is the better vehicle.
Duration and Realistic Expectations
- First 24 to 48 hours: Throat soreness and dry cough ease; the burning behind the sternum settles.
- 5 to 7 days: Acute inflamed-chest congestion clears with daily Licorice-Ginger tea or Sitopaladi Churna.
- 3 to 6 weeks: Chronic post-illness chest weakness and recurrent dry cough improve on a long course of Sitopaladi or low-dose DGL.
Whole-root Licorice should not be taken at therapeutic doses for more than 4 to 6 weeks continuously without practitioner supervision. For longer courses, switch to DGL.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Licorice take to work for pulmonary congestion?
For an acute inflamed chest with raw cough, the soothing action is noticeable within hours of the first Licorice decoction or Licorice-honey paste. Most acute congestion eases within 5 to 7 days of taking the herb 2 to 3 times daily. Chronic post-illness chest weakness needs 3 to 6 weeks of Sitopaladi Churna or DGL.
What is the best form of Licorice for chest congestion?
Licorice decoction or the classical 1 to 1 Licorice-Ginger tea is the fastest-acting form for acute presentations. Sitopaladi Churna is the lead for chronic and post-illness chest recovery. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) is the safest form for sustained daily use, especially if blood pressure is a concern.
Licorice vs Ginger for pulmonary congestion?
Different roles, often paired. Ginger is heating and drying, the lead for cold-damp chest with thick white mucus. Licorice is cooling and demulcent, the lead when the chest is raw, the cough is dry, and the throat burns. The classical 1 to 1 Ginger-Licorice tea is the universal pairing because it balances heat and cold while clearing mucus and calming the airway.
Is Licorice safe to take daily for chronic congestion?
Whole-root Licorice can raise blood pressure and deplete potassium in long-term high doses, so therapeutic doses should not run continuously for more than 4 to 6 weeks without supervision. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated form) removes the constituent responsible for the blood-pressure effect and is the safer choice for daily, long-term use. Avoid Licorice in pregnancy and in anyone with hypertension or potassium-wasting diuretic use.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Pulmonary Congestion
If you want to start using Licorice for pulmonary congestion today, here is the simplest starting point.
The best form for an inflamed or raw chest is the classical 1 to 1 Licorice and Ginger tea: simmer 1/2 teaspoon of Licorice root and 1/2 teaspoon of grated fresh Ginger in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes, strain, cool to warm, and stir in 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink 2 to 3 times a day. Ginger clears the cold Kapha mucus while Licorice coats the throat and settles the inflamed lining underneath.
Kitchen version, if you do not have loose Licorice root: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Licorice powder mixed with 1 teaspoon honey into a paste, licked slowly so it coats the throat, twice a day. For chronic post-illness chest weakness or lingering cough, switch to Sitopaladi Churna (1/2 teaspoon twice daily with honey), the classical lung tonic built around Licorice and Pippali.
Dosha fork: if the chest is Kapha-cold with thick white mucus, pair with Ginger as above; if it is Vata-dry with a tight tickling cough, take Licorice in warm milk with a pinch of ghee; if it is Pitta-hot with burning and yellow productive cough, Licorice is the lead herb and Ginger should be dropped to a small pinch.
Find Licorice on Amazon ↗ Sitopaladi Churna ↗
Avoid whole-root Licorice in pregnancy, hypertension, edema, congestive heart failure, or with potassium-wasting diuretics; use DGL instead. Keep therapeutic doses under 4 to 6 weeks at a stretch, and see a doctor if congestion persists past ten days or comes with blood in the sputum, high fever, or chest pain.
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 Pulmonary Congestion
See all herbs for pulmonary congestion on the Pulmonary Congestion 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.