Licorice for Wounds: Does It Work?
Does Licorice (Yashtimadhu, Glycyrrhiza glabra) help with wounds (Vrana)? Yes, and the classical authority is unusually direct. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists Vrana Ropana (wound healing) alongside Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) as core therapeutic actions of Licorice, and the Sushruta Samhita (the classical surgical text) prescribes warm ghee mixed with Yashtimadhu for the intense pain that follows a surgical incision.
The Ayurvedic case rests on a property profile that is the mirror image of the heating, drying antiseptic herbs. Licorice is sweet and bitter in taste (Madhura, Tikta Rasa), cold in potency (Sheeta Virya), and pacifies Pitta and Vata while mildly increasing Kapha. Where Turmeric and Neem heat, dry, and disinfect, Licorice cools, moistens, and rebuilds the inflamed tissue underneath. Its slimy, mucilage-like quality lets it sit on a raw surface the way it sits on an inflamed throat, a true demulcent for skin.
In classical wound care, Licorice is the cooling tissue-builder, the Ropana (closing, granulating) half of the equation. The Astanga Hridaya in Chapter 30 (Kshar-Agni Karma Vidhi) names a paste of Yashti (licorice) and tila (sesame) for burns that have ulcerated and refuse to heal, with the line "paste of tila, and Madhuka mixed with ghee heals the ulcer". The same chapter pairs licorice with honey, ghee, and Rodhra in cotton dressings for surgical sites. Two thousand years later, modern dermatology has confirmed the underlying biology: glycyrrhizin and licorice flavonoids carry documented anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and granulation-stimulating activity, which is why licorice extracts now appear in mainstream wound-healing topical formulations.
How Licorice Helps with Wounds
Ayurvedic wound care works through two parallel goals: Shodhana (cleaning out infection, slough, and stagnant tissue) and Ropana (closing the wound and rebuilding skin). Most wounds need both. Licorice sits firmly in the Ropana half of the equation. It is not the antimicrobial herb you reach for to scrub an active infection; it is the tissue-builder you layer on once the wound is clean.
Pitta-Rakta cooling for the inflamed wound bed
In classical pathology, an unhealed wound is a site of trapped Pitta in the Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue), expressing as heat, redness, throbbing pain, and serous discharge. Licorice's cold potency (Sheeta Virya) and Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) action target this layer directly. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classifies Yashtimadhu as Pitta Shamaka, and that property is what makes it useful for the hot, weeping, throbbing wound rather than the cold, sluggish, non-discharging one.
Mucilage as Vrana Ropana
Glycyrrhizin and the licorice polysaccharides give the herb its characteristic slimy quality (Picchila Guna). The same property that lets licorice coat an irritated throat or a peptic ulcer lets it sit on a raw wound surface and protect the underlying granulation tissue while it forms. The Astanga Hridaya's Chapter 29 (Shastrakarma Vidhi) describes packing surgical sites with cotton soaked in honey, melted ghee, Anjana, ash of flax, Phalini, fruit of Shallaki, Rodhra, and Madhuka (licorice), the Madhuka providing the demulcent layer that prevents the dressing from sticking to the wound.
Anti-inflammatory and granulation effect
Modern pharmacology has caught up with the classical claim. Glycyrrhizin shows documented anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis, and licorice flavonoids accelerate keratinocyte migration in standard scratch-assay wound healing models. The same compounds carry mild antimicrobial activity against common skin pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, which is why topical licorice extracts now appear in mainstream wound-care formulations alongside conventional antiseptics. The classical position holds: cool the bed, coat the surface, let the tissue rebuild.
How to Use Licorice for Wounds
Licorice for wounds is almost always a topical herb, not an internal one. The classical pastes, dressings, and wash decoctions are what carry the wound-healing tradition, and they remain the practical home protocol today.
Best form: classical paste with ghee
The most direct classical preparation is the Astanga Hridaya burn-and-ulcer formula: licorice root powder mixed with sesame and ghee into a thick paste, applied directly to a clean wound. For a small wound or shallow burn, mix half a teaspoon of fine Yashtimadhu powder with a quarter teaspoon of ground sesame and enough warm ghee to form a soft paste; apply a thin layer over the cleaned wound, cover with sterile gauze, and change once daily.
Wash decoction for cleaning
For wounds that need a gentle, cooling rinse, a Yashtimadhu decoction works well. Simmer one teaspoon of licorice root powder in one cup of water for ten minutes, strain, cool to body temperature, and use as a rinse before applying the paste. The decoction can also be used to soak gauze for a wet dressing on weeping or burning wound surfaces.
Honey-ghee Vrana Ropana dressing
Following the Astanga Hridaya Chapter 29 surgical dressing pattern, mix licorice powder with honey and melted ghee in roughly equal parts. Honey contributes its own antimicrobial and osmotic cleaning action; ghee contributes lipid-rich tissue support; licorice contributes the anti-inflammatory and demulcent layer. This is the dressing of choice for surgical sites and post-suture care where the goal is to protect a clean wound while it closes.
| Form | Application | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder + ghee + sesame paste | Thin layer on clean wound | Once daily | Slow-healing ulcers, burn ulcers |
| Decoction wash | Cooled rinse before dressing | 1-2x daily | Weeping, inflamed surfaces |
| Powder + honey + ghee dressing | Spread on gauze, apply over wound | Once daily | Surgical sites, post-op |
Cleaning protocol
Always clean the wound before applying any topical herb. Rinse with clean water or saline, remove debris gently, pat dry with a clean cloth, then apply the licorice paste or dressing. Do not seal a wound that is actively discharging pus or that has visible foreign material until it has been properly cleaned and assessed.
Duration
For a shallow wound or first-degree burn, daily licorice dressings for five to seven days are typical, with visible reduction in redness and pain within the first two to three days. For a deeper or slower-healing wound, the dressing continues until granulation tissue fills the wound bed and epithelial edges begin to close in, often two to three weeks. If a wound shows no improvement after five days, or if redness, swelling, or discharge worsens, stop home care and consult a clinician.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Licorice take to work for wounds?
For a shallow wound or burn, redness and pain typically reduce within two to three days of daily licorice paste dressings, with visible granulation tissue forming by the end of the first week. Deeper or slow-healing wounds may need two to three weeks of continued dressings until the epithelium closes. If there is no measurable improvement after five days, the wound needs clinical assessment.
Can I take Licorice internally for a wound?
Internal licorice is not the main route for wound healing in Ayurveda. Topical pastes, dressings, and washes carry the classical tradition. If a wound is paired with a hot, inflamed systemic picture (fever, burning, raw mucous membranes), a short course of licorice tea or decoction may be added for one to two weeks, but the wound itself responds to local application. Sustained internal use raises blood pressure and is not appropriate as a general wound protocol.
What is the best form of Licorice for wounds?
For most home wound care, the classical paste of Yashtimadhu powder, ghee, and sesame (from Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 30) is the best form. For surgical sites and clean wounds that need a protective dressing, a paste of licorice powder, honey, and ghee on gauze is the gentler option. A cooled decoction works as a rinse before either dressing. Choose the form by the wound: dry and slow-healing favors the ghee-sesame paste; clean and surgical favors the honey-ghee dressing.
Licorice vs Turmeric for wounds?
They sit on opposite ends of the Vrana protocol and complement each other. Turmeric is the heating, drying, antimicrobial herb for the early Shodhana (cleaning) phase, ideal for active infection, pus, and a contaminated wound. Licorice is the cooling, moistening, demulcent herb for the Ropana (closing) phase, ideal for clean inflamed wounds, burns, and granulating ulcers. Classical pastes often combine both, with Neem added for antimicrobial coverage and Sandalwood for added Pitta cooling.
Recommended: Start Licorice for Wounds
If you want to start using Licorice for wound care today, here is the simplest starting point.
The best form for a clean wound is finely powdered Yashtimadhu root, mixed into a topical paste with ghee. Powder is the most flexible: paste, dressing, decoction, all start from the same jar.
Kitchen version: mix half a teaspoon of Yashtimadhu powder with a quarter teaspoon of ground sesame and enough warm ghee to form a soft paste; apply a thin layer over the cleaned wound, cover with sterile gauze, change once daily. For a surgical site, swap sesame for raw honey.
Wound-type fork: for a burn or weeping inflamed wound, lead with the licorice-ghee paste and rinse with a cooled licorice decoction before each dressing. For a surgical or post-suture site, use the licorice-honey-ghee dressing pattern. For a slow-healing chronic ulcer, alternate daily licorice paste with a turmeric paste to cover both the Ropana and Shodhana sides.
Find Licorice on Amazon ↗ Organic Ghee ↗
Safety: any deep wound, an embedded object, an animal or human bite, or signs of spreading infection (expanding redness, fever, pus, red streaks, throbbing pain) need medical care, not home herbs. Make sure your tetanus vaccination is current. Diabetic patients should have all wounds reviewed by a clinician.
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 Wounds
See all herbs for wounds on the Wounds 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.