Herb Spotlight: Indian Licorice Root

Did you know that Licorice is not only a favorite flavor for candies and sweets, but also a traditional Ayurvedic medicine? Indian Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), known in Sanskrit as yaṣṭi-madhu, or “sweet-stick”, is an ancient rejuvenative herb with amazing medicinal properties for health, well-being and long life.

A small herb native to regions of Western Asia, Southern Europe and Northern Africa, Licorice has a history of medicinal and culinary use going back thousands of years in many ancient cultures like Egypt, China and India. In modern scientific terms, the swollen roots or rhizomes of the plant contain a large concentration of glycyrrhizin, enoxolone & anethole (also found in Anise, Fennel and Dill). These compounds are thought to be in large part responsible for the plant’s medicinal properties and, interestingly, extracted glycyrrhizin is said to be 30-50 times sweeter than sugar!

Read on for the full list of Licorice’s medicinal properties, mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic texts like caraka saṃhita and bhāva prakāśa, and the Auromère body care products which containing this amazing herbal treasure.

Ayurvedic Properties of Licorice root

Sweet & cooling – Vāta-pitta-hāra – Licorice is a sweet cooling herb which pacifies aggravated pitta and vāta doshas in the body.
Rejuvenative – Rasāyana – Licorice is classified in Ayurveda as an anti-aging tonic herb which has a rejuvenative effect on a wide variety of organs and systems in the human body, including the brain, nerves, eyes and liver.
Soothes throat – Svarya – Licorice is a natural expectorant and a traditional remedy for cough and sore throat. It also helps with hoarseness or loss of voice.
Increases strength – Balya – Licorice is said to increase strength and immunity and combat fatigue, weakness, and wasting. It is also said to be spermatogenic and aphrodisiac, supporting a healthy libido.
Anti-inflammatory – Vraṇa-śotha-apahā – Licorice is anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce heat and swelling. It is also said to treat internal wounds like ulcers of the mouth and stomach.
Antiviral – Modern research has also focused on the different compounds in licorice like glycyrrhizin and their potentially potent antiviral properties.

yaṣṭī himā guruḥ svādvī cakṣuṣyā balavarṇakṛt |
susnigdha śukralā keśyā svaryā pittānilāstrajit |
vraṇaśothaviṣaccharditṛṣṇāglānikṣayāpahā ||
“Licorice is cool, heavy, sweet, gives strength, and is beneficial for the eyes and complexion;
It is nicely oily, spermatogenic, beneficial for the hair and voice, and destroys the illnesses of pitta and vāta;
It is an effective treatment for wounds, swellings, poisons, vomiting, thirst, exhaustion and weakness”
From the Bhāva Prakāśa

Auromère Products Containing Licorice

We at Auromère include Indian Licorice Root especially in our oral care products. In Ayurvedic Oral Care, licorice root is used mostly for its antimicrobial properties which help to reduce dental plaque. Licorice is also a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for mouth ulcers or canker sores and is thus very useful in toothpastes and mouthwashes. Lastly, licorice is included for its naturally sweet and pleasant taste, which helps to make oral care products palatable without having to use sugar or artificial, chemical sweeteners.

Please find below a complete list of Auromère products containing Indian Licorice Root, and if you haven’t used them before, please go ahead and give them a try! In addition to all the beneficial properties of Licorice, they also contain 22 additional herbs and botanical extracts prized in Ayurveda for their ability to support the natural health of the teeth and gums!