Licorice for Rectal Ulcer: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu) help with a rectal ulcer? Yes, and it sits in a small group of herbs that classical Ayurveda turns to first when a mucous-membrane ulcer needs both cooling and rebuilding. Yashtimadhu is sweet and bitter in taste, cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and balances Vata and Pitta while mildly increasing Kapha, the exact direction a hot, eroded rectal lining needs.
Rectal ulcer is treated in Ayurveda as Guda Vrana, a wound at the anal canal. The dominant driver is Pitta erosion of the rectal mucosa, often combined with Vata pressure from chronic constipation and straining, and frequently against a background of Ama in a sluggish colon. The wound surface needs three things: cooling of the heat that drove the ulceration, a protective demulcent layer over the raw mucosa, and active granulation to close the surface.
Yashtimadhu does all three. Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it under Vrana Ropana (wound-healing) and Shotha Hara (anti-inflammatory), and names it specifically as Pitta Shamaka. Sushruta Sutra 25 on Vrana sets out the standard sequence, clean and cool the wound, promote granulation, rebuild the tissue, and Madhuka (Licorice) appears repeatedly in those formulations. Astanga Hridaya Chapter 29 describes covering an ulcer with a cotton swab soaked in honey, melted ghee, and a mix that includes Madhuka, almost identical to the rectal pichu protocol used today.
The sweetness (Madhura Rasa) and unctuous nature of Yashtimadhu give it a demulcent quality that few cooling herbs combine. It coats the raw mucosa with a soothing film, which is why it has the same role in stomach ulcers as it does in rectal ulcers: protect, cool, and re-epithelialise. Used alongside Turmeric (Haridra) for its antimicrobial Ropana action and Amla (Amalaki) for systemic Pitta cooling, it completes the classical trio for any inflamed mucosal ulcer.
How Licorice Helps with Rectal Ulcer
Licorice's effectiveness on a rectal ulcer comes from a rare combination: it is one of the few classical herbs that is genuinely cold in potency, demulcent (sweet and unctuous), and a named Vrana Ropana drug. Most cooling herbs are drying; most rebuilding herbs are heating. Yashtimadhu does both.
Pitta Cooling at the Wound Surface
Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists Yashtimadhu as Pitta Shamaka, with cold potency (Sheeta Virya) and sweet post-digestive effect (Madhura Vipaka). In Guda Vrana, this directly counters the hot, sharp, eroding action of aggravated Pitta on the rectal mucosa. The burning that follows a bowel motion eases first, usually within days of consistent use, because the surface inflammation is being directly cooled.
Demulcent and Mucosal Protection
Yashtimadhu is one of Ayurveda's prime mucous-membrane tonics and soothers. Its description includes restoring the protective coating on the gut lining, which is the same job that needs to be done at the rectal wound bed. A raw ulcer surface is constantly re-injured by passing stool; the demulcent film that Licorice creates buys the granulation tissue time to form. Modern research has independently shown that Licorice constituents stimulate mucin (the protective mucus layer) and protect against erosion in the gastrointestinal tract, the rectum is the same mucosal tissue, just at the other end.
Vrana Ropana, Granulation and Re-epithelialisation
Bhavaprakash names Yashtimadhu under Vrana Ropana (wound-healing). Astanga Hridaya Chapter 29 describes covering an ulcer with a cotton swab soaked in honey, melted ghee, Anjana, ash of Ksyauma, Phalini, Shallaki fruit, Rodhra, and Madhuka, the classical recipe for a non-healing wound. The same logic applied to the rectal wound becomes a Madhuka-ghee pichu: ghee carries the herb, Madhuka stimulates granulation, the wound closes from the edges inward.
Why It Pairs Well With Turmeric
Turmeric is hot in potency and antimicrobial; Yashtimadhu is cold in potency and demulcent. Together they cover the full picture: Turmeric kills the surface microbes and stimulates granulation, Licorice cools the inflamed margin and protects the raw mucosa. The combination tracks the classical Vrana protocol of "clean, cool, granulate, rebuild" almost beat by beat.
Modern Research Support
Cooling Pitta-pacifying herbs like Licorice show measurable activity against the same inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha, prostaglandins, leukotrienes) that drive mucosal ulceration in modern gastroenterology. Licorice constituents have been studied for peptic ulcer, oral ulcer, and inflammatory bowel disease. The mechanism, mucin stimulation and anti-inflammatory action on mucosa, applies the same way to the rectal lining.
How to Use Licorice for Rectal Ulcer
For a rectal ulcer, Licorice (Yashtimadhu) is most useful as a medicated ghee or oil applied externally after a sitz bath, combined with a small internal dose to cool systemic Pitta. The ghee or oil base carries the herb to the wound surface, and the demulcent sweetness of Yashtimadhu coats the raw mucosa with a soothing film while granulation begins.
Best Form for Rectal Ulcer
Yashtimadhu Ghrita (Licorice-infused ghee) is the gold-standard external form. The unctuous, cooling base is precisely what an inflamed, eroded rectal lining needs, and the classical references in Astanga Hridaya Chapter 29 describe almost exactly this combination, a swab of honey, ghee, and Madhuka covering a non-healing ulcer. Internally, Yashtimadhu powder stirred into warm milk or taken as a cold decoction is the safest daily preparation.
| Form | Dose | Anupana (Vehicle) | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashtimadhu powder (Churna) | 1–3 g/day (¼ to ½ tsp) | Cool milk or cool water | Twice daily, away from meals |
| Yashtimadhu Ghrita (external) | Thin film, twice daily | Apply directly to the anal opening with a clean fingertip | After sitz bath |
| Licorice-ghee-honey swab | Pea-sized amount on cotton pad | 1 part Yashtimadhu, 2 parts honey, 1 part ghee | After evening sitz bath |
| Licorice decoction sitz bath | 1 tsp Yashtimadhu boiled in 1 L water | Strain, cool to warm, use as sitz bath water | Twice daily, 15 minutes |
| Licorice cold infusion (Hima) | 1 tsp powder steeped overnight in cool water | Strain and sip in the morning | Morning, empty stomach, Pitta-dominant pattern |
How to Apply the Pichu (Medicated Swab)
Soak a small clean cotton pad in slightly warmed Yashtimadhu Ghrita. After your evening sitz bath, pat the area dry and place the soaked pad against the anal opening. Lie on your side for 15 minutes. The ghee melts into the wound surface and the Madhuka stays in contact long enough to soothe the burning and coat the mucosa overnight.
Anupana, Choose by Pattern
- Pitta-dominant (bright bleeding, burning, loose stools): take Yashtimadhu with cool milk, twice daily. Pair with Amla juice in the morning.
- Vata-fissure pattern (sharp pain, hard stools, sphincter spasm): take Yashtimadhu with warm milk and a teaspoon of ghee at night. Add a sesame-oil-and-Yashtimadhu pichu after the evening sitz bath.
- Significant bleeding: use the cold infusion in the morning and the external ghrita twice daily; pair with the classical lodhra-kushtha-bilva powder.
Duration
Expect noticeable reduction of burning and post-stool discomfort within the first week of consistent use. Acute fissure-type ulcers usually close within 2 to 4 weeks. Chronic ulcers typically need 6 to 12 weeks. If healing has not started by 4 weeks of consistent treatment, escalate to medical investigation.
Safety Notes
Yashtimadhu in regular daily doses can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Not for prolonged use (over 4 to 6 weeks) at full dose in patients with hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, or on diuretics. Short courses for acute ulcer treatment, or external use, do not carry this risk. Use cautiously in pregnancy. Stop and consult a practitioner if you notice swelling in the ankles or face, headaches, or rising blood pressure during use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Licorice take to work for a rectal ulcer?
The burning and post-stool discomfort usually ease within the first week of consistent twice-daily use (external Yashtimadhu Ghrita after sitz baths plus a small internal dose). Acute fissure-type ulcers typically close in 2 to 4 weeks. Chronic ulcers need 6 to 12 weeks. If there is no measurable improvement by 4 weeks, escalate to medical investigation, an ulcer that won't heal needs to be biopsied to rule out solitary rectal ulcer syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
Is Licorice safe to take long-term?
Not at full medicinal dose. Yashtimadhu in regular daily doses can raise blood pressure and lower potassium through its glycyrrhizin content. Short courses (4 to 6 weeks) at therapeutic dose are usually fine if your blood pressure and kidneys are normal. For maintenance after the ulcer has closed, drop to a smaller intermittent dose, or switch to external-only use, or combine with a potassium-rich diet. Skip prolonged internal use entirely if you have hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, or are on diuretics. External use does not carry this risk.
Can I apply Yashtimadhu Ghrita on an actively bleeding ulcer?
Yes. Yashtimadhu is one of the named herbs for bleeding mucosal ulcers, the cold potency and demulcent quality cool the surface and protect the wound. Apply a thin film with a clean fingertip after the sitz bath, twice daily. If bleeding is heavy or you are on blood thinners, the external application is safe, but also discuss with your doctor and consider the classical lodhra-kushtha-bilva powder internally to address the bleeding directly. Rectal bleeding for the first time, especially over 40, needs evaluation first.
Licorice versus Bala or Garlic for rectal ulcer, which is best?
They work on different layers. Yashtimadhu is the default for the cooling and demulcent phase, when the ulcer is hot, burning, raw, and inflamed. Bala is the tissue-strengthener for the rebuild phase, useful for chronic non-healing ulcers and the Vata-fissure pattern with sphincter weakness. Garlic targets Ama and bacterial overgrowth in the colon, useful when there is foul stool or suspected parasites. Brahmi helps when stress and Vata in the mind are driving recurrence. Most classical protocols layer 2 to 3 of these for the different layers of the problem.
Can I take Licorice with my IBD or proctitis medication (5-ASA, mesalazine)?
Licorice is one of the named cooling Pitta-pacifying herbs studied for inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis. It is generally compatible with 5-ASA / mesalazine and can run alongside conventional therapy. The two important cautions: monitor blood pressure and potassium if using daily for more than a few weeks, and discuss with your gastroenterologist if you are on corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or have severe disease, since the interaction profile needs individual review. External use does not carry this concern.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Rectal Ulcer
If you want to start using Licorice (Yashtimadhu) for a rectal ulcer today, here is the simplest, classically grounded starting point.
Best form for this pair: Yashtimadhu Ghrita (Licorice-infused ghee) applied externally after a sitz bath, plus a small internal dose of the powder in cool milk twice daily. The ghrita coats the raw mucosa with a cooling demulcent film while the internal dose calms systemic Pitta.
Kitchen starter, no prescription needed:
- Morning and evening: 15-minute warm-water sitz bath. Pat dry. Apply a thin film of Yashtimadhu Ghrita (or a paste of ¼ tsp Licorice powder, 1 tsp ghee, ½ tsp honey) to the anal opening.
- Twice daily, away from meals: ¼ to ½ tsp Yashtimadhu powder stirred into a cup of cool milk.
- With each meal: a teaspoon of pure ghee mixed into cooked rice, coats the gut lining and softens stool.
Dosha fork:
- Pitta-dominant (burning, bright bleeding, loose stools): pair Yashtimadhu with 1 tsp Amla juice in cool water in the morning.
- Vata-fissure pattern (sharp pain, hard stools, sphincter spasm): add a warm sesame-oil-and-Yashtimadhu pichu (medicated cotton pad) for 15 minutes after the evening sitz bath.
Find Licorice (Yashtimadhu) on Amazon ↗ Organic Ghee ↗
Safety: Rectal bleeding, severe pain, or fever needs medical evaluation to rule out inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, or colorectal cancer, especially over age 40. Yashtimadhu in regular daily doses can raise blood pressure and lower potassium; skip prolonged internal use if you have hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, or are on diuretics. External use does not carry this risk.
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 Rectal Ulcer
See all herbs for rectal ulcer on the Rectal Ulcer 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.