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Yashtimadhu: 
Common Name:
Liquorice or licorice (Eng.)- Licorice gets its name from the Greek glyks, meaning sweet and rhiza meaning root.
Sanskrit Name:
Yashtimadhu- As its roots and stem are having Madhura (Sweet) Taste
Madhuka- Because of its sweet taste
Klitaka- As it was mainly imported in India from Egypt, Iran, Afaghanistan and other countries
Neelipushapa: The plant with blue coloured flowers.
Rasayani: With rasayana properties.
Lt. Name:
Glycyrrhiza glabra- Leguminoceae
Bio Energetics:
Rasa (Taste) - Madhura (Sweet)
Guna (Characteristics) - Guru (Heavy) Snigdha (Unctuous)
Veerya (Potency) - Sheeta (Cool and calm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect) - Madhura (Sweet)
Chemical Composition:
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Triterpenes of the oleanane type, mainly glycyrrhizin (=glycyrrhizic or glycyrrhizinic acid), and its agylcone glycyrrhetinic acid (=glycyrrhitic acid), liquiritic acid, glycyrrhetol, glabrolide, isoglabrolide, licoric acid, & phytosterols.
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Flavonoids and isoflavonoids; liquiritigenin, liquiritin, rhamnoliquiritin, neoliquiritin, licoflavonol, licoisoflavones A and B, licoisoflavanone, formononetin, glabrol, glabrone, glyzarin, kumatakenin and others.
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Coumarins; liqcoumarin, umbelliferone, herniarin glycyrin.
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Chalcones; liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, neosoliquiritin, rhamnoisoliquiritin, licuraside, licochalcones A and B, echinatin and others.
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Polysaccharides, mainly glucans
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Volatile oil, containing fenchone, linalool, furfuryl alcohol, benzaldehyde.
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Miscellaneous; starch, sugars, amino acid etc
Effect on Tridosha (Three Bio Hunors):
It pacifies the Vata and Pitta bio humors i.e. useful in management of diseases resulting from aggravation of either Vata/ Pitta or both.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Chakshushya- Rejuvenator for eyes
Shukrala - Improves quality and quantity of sperms in semen
Keshya - Enhances the luster of hairs and make them look blacker than before
Swarya - Improves voice
Bala varna krit - Increases one's body strength and improves complexion
Kshayapaha - Useful in managing under nutritive and emaciating conditions
Vajikara - Increases sexual desire and power so useful in erectile disorders and premature ejaculation
Medhya - Improves ones memory and analytical abilities
Vedanahara - A potent pain killer
Medicinal Value:
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Yashtimadhu is an excellent natural herb for treating throat congestions, coughs, respiratory disorders and tuberculosis. It also helps in relieving hyperacidity, soothing peptic ulcers, liver diseases and abdominal aches.
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The drug posses potent demulcent, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, attributed to the presence of glycyrrhizin, which is about 50 times sweeter than sucrose. Besides these, glyrrhizin is also credited with anti-hepatotoxic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activities. The drug is also beneficial to peptic ulcer.
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Various scientific studies suggest that Yashtimadhu also acts as a memory enhancer and mental rejuvenator.
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Glycyrrhizetic acid has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity, in 1/8th potency of hydrocortisone by the cotton-pellet method. The activity is potentiated to 1/5th of hydrocortisone when carbenoxolone (Sodium salt of hemisuccinate of glycyrrhetic acid) is used. Glycyrrhizin ointment is employed clinically for aphtha and other inflammatory skin diseases.
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A review of several clinical trials found that glycyrrhizin might reduce complications from hepatitis C in some patients. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm that glycyrrhizin has this effect.
Possible Interactions:
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use licorice without first talking to your health care provider:
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Ace-inhibitors and diuretics -- If you are taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or diuretics to regulate blood pressure, do not use licorice products. Licorice could interfere with the effectiveness of these medications or could worsen possible side effects.
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Aspirin -- Animal studies suggest that licorice may reduce stomach irritation as well as the risk of stomach ulcers associated with aspirin.
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Digoxin -- Because licorice may dangerously increase the risk of toxic effects from digoxin, this herb should not be taken with this medication.
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Corticosteroids -- Licorice may increase the effects of corticosteroid medications. You should consult with your doctor before using licorice with any corticosteroids.
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Insulin -- Licorice may enhance some of the adverse effects of insulin.
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Laxatives -- Licorice may cause substantial potassium loss in people taking stimulant laxatives.
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Oral contraceptives -- There have been reports of women developing high blood pressure and low potassium levels when they took licorice while on oral contraceptives. Therefore, you should avoid licorice if you are taking birth control medications.
Useful part:
Roots
Doses:
Powder 3-5 gm
Some combinations with Yashtimadhu:
Yashtyadi kwatha; Yashtyadi choorna, Yashtimadhvadi tail.
Some important notes about Yashtimadhu:
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In old Chinese Materia Medica “Shin Nung Pen T Sao Chung”, liquorice was described as a drug for strengthening muscle and bone, and curing wounds.
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According to Charaka "For rejuvenation of brain tissue i.e. to improve one's memory and analytical abilities the person should take Yashtimadhu powder with milk."
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Ghruta (Indian clarified butter) treated with Yashtimadhu should be used for the management of pain on a cut of a sharp weapon.
(Sushruta Samhita)
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