Licorice (Yashtimadhu): The Sweet Root for Throat and Stomach
In Ayurveda, licorice is called yashtimadhu, 'the honey stick.' A soothing root for the throat and stomach, it has real strengths — and one serious contraindication too many people ignore: blood pressure.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, yashtimadhu in Sanskrit) is Ayurveda's great soothing root: its best-established benefits concern an irritated throat, dry cough and acid stomach discomfort. Its naturally sweet flavor — glycyrrhizin is far sweeter than sugar — coats and soothes mucous membranes, which explains its presence in countless throat lozenges and teas.
But licorice is also a herb whose limits you need to know: taken in excess or long-term, glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels. Used well — short courses, modest doses — it genuinely helps. Used carelessly, it's a real problem.
What are the benefits of licorice?
- Throat and voice: its most consensus use. As tea, decoction or a stick to chew, licorice soothes an irritated throat, dry cough and hoarseness. Tradition calls it the herb of singers and speakers.
- Stomach and acidity: Ayurvedic tradition uses it against heartburn and acid discomfort (amlapitta); preliminary data support a protective effect on the stomach lining. The DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) form is often preferred for long-term use here.
- Respiratory tract: a gentle traditional expectorant, it appears in winter blends for congestion.
- Skin: used externally, licorice extracts help soothe redness and even out skin tone — a common cosmetic use, with modest data.
In the Ayurvedic framework, licorice soothes Vata and Pitta: sweet, cooling and unctuous, it's a typically anti-Pitta herb. Kapha, already soft and moist, should use it in moderation. It's also classed a rasayana for the voice and tissues.
How to take licorice: tea, powder or DGL?
For guidance only — practices as commonly seen, as a short course:
| Form | Typical dose | For what |
|---|---|---|
| Tea / root decoction | 1 to 2 g of root per cup, 1 to 2 cups a day | Throat, dry cough, digestive comfort |
| Powder | 1 to 3 g per day, in warm water or milk | Traditional Ayurvedic use |
| DGL extract (glycyrrhizin-free) | Per product, before meals | Sensitive stomach, longer-term use |
| Root stick to chew | Occasional | Throat, sweet cravings, breath |
For tea, prefer a proper short decoction over a simple infusion: put the cut root in cold water, bring to a bare simmer for 5 minutes, then let it sit covered for 10 minutes. The hard, fibrous root doesn't release its compounds well from water simply poured over it. In India, yashtimadhu is also taken as a powder with unheated honey for the throat, or with ghee for the stomach — Ayurveda chooses the carrier (anupana) based on the desired effect.
The golden rule: no more than 4 to 6 weeks in a row for glycyrrhizin-containing forms, and stick to modest doses. European health authorities recommend limiting daily glycyrrhizin intake; in practice, an occasional cup poses no problem for a healthy person, but generous, prolonged daily use does.
Does licorice work for heartburn?
This is one of its strong suits. Ayurveda sees heartburn as excess Pitta fire; licorice, sweet and cooling, is one of its classic correctives, often paired with the cooling diet described in our article on acidity and heartburn. For regular use, the DGL form has the advantage of sidestepping the blood-pressure issue. Two honest limits: clinical data remain preliminary, and frequent heartburn (several times a week, for weeks) suggests reflux that deserves a doctor, not prolonged self-treatment.
Licorice and blood pressure: the real contraindication
This is THE safety point to remember. Glycyrrhizin disrupts the kidneys' regulation of potassium and sodium: in excess, it causes high blood pressure, low potassium, water retention, and in severe cases, heart rhythm disturbances. This isn't theoretical: cases are regularly reported in heavy licorice consumers (candy included).
- High blood pressure: avoid. If your blood pressure is elevated or treated, avoid non-deglycyrrhizinated licorice, even as regular tea.
- Pregnancy: no. Regular licorice consumption is discouraged during pregnancy. Breastfeeding: medical advice.
- Interactions: diuretics, corticosteroids, digoxin, blood-pressure medication — talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Kidney or heart disease: medical advice is essential before any use.
- Everyone: short courses, modest doses, and watch for hidden sources (candy, non-alcoholic anise drinks, blended teas).
General precaution rules (quality, at-risk groups) are detailed in our safety and precautions guide.
How to use it safely day to day
Three simple, reasonable uses: an occasional throat tea in winter (licorice, ginger and a slice of lemon, on the model of our ginger-lemon-honey tea); a gentle decoction for a few days when your voice is tired; and the DGL form before meals for a sensitive stomach, over a few weeks. In winter, it pairs well with the anti-cold kit alongside tulsi and ginger. Buy an organic root, cut or powdered, from a trustworthy brand: licorice is a root, so it's sensitive to soil quality. On price, cut organic root is generally inexpensive from an herbalist or health-food store — enough for several short courses.
Your questions about licorice (yashtimadhu)
Is licorice dangerous for blood pressure?
Yes, in excess or long-term: glycyrrhizin can cause high blood pressure, low potassium and water retention. An occasional tea poses no problem for a healthy person, but with high blood pressure, heart treatment or pregnancy, non-deglycyrrhizinated licorice should be avoided.
How many cups of licorice tea can you drink a day?
Stay at 1 to 2 cups a day maximum (1 to 2 g of root per cup), for a course of at most 4 to 6 weeks, then take a break. Also count hidden sources: candy, non-alcoholic anise drinks, blended teas. People with high blood pressure and pregnant women should abstain.
What is DGL licorice?
DGL stands for 'deglycyrrhizinated': the extract has had glycyrrhizin removed, the molecule responsible for effects on blood pressure and potassium. It's the preferred form for regular stomach comfort use, since it keeps the soothing effect on the lining while removing the main risk.
Does licorice help with coughing?
It's a well-established traditional use: the root soothes an irritated throat, calms dry cough and hoarseness, as tea, decoction or a stick to chew. The effect is symptomatic and gentle. A cough lasting more than two to three weeks or accompanied by fever calls for a doctor.
Can children have licorice?
Not for regular use or as a supplement without medical advice. Children are more sensitive to glycyrrhizin's effects, and licorice candy quickly adds up alongside teas. A very occasional, diluted use can be discussed with a healthcare professional, but caution is the rule.
What does licorice tea taste like?
A naturally very sweet taste — glycyrrhizin is dozens of times sweeter than sugar — with a woody, anise-like note. It's an enjoyable tea with no added sugar, making it a good ally for evening sweet cravings, as long as consumption stays moderate.