A Sweet, Cooling Herb for Digestion, Stress, and Inflammation
Licorice in Ayurveda, known as Yashtimadhu, has been used for thousands of years as a nourishing and soothing herb. Sweet in taste and cooling in nature, licorice is traditionally used to calm irritation, reduce inflammation, and support the body during periods of stress or depletion.
Rather than stimulating the system, licorice works gently. It protects and nourishes tissues, making it especially helpful when digestion feels irritated, the nervous system feels overworked, or excess heat is present in the body.
🌱 The Ayurvedic View of Licorice
In Ayurveda, licorice is described as:
- Sweet in taste
- Cooling in energy
- Heavy and nourishing in quality
In licorice in Ayurveda, the herb is valued for its ability to soothe heat, nourish tissues, and restore balance without overstimulating the body. These qualities allow licorice to calm dryness, irritation, and inflammation while supporting tissue repair and resilience. Because of its nourishing nature, it is often used when the body needs soothing rather than stimulation.
🔄 How Licorice Affects the Doshas
Vata
Licorice helps pacify Vata by reducing dryness, calming the nervous system, and supporting depleted tissues. It can be especially helpful when stress, anxiety, or irregular digestion are present.
Pitta
Licorice is highly beneficial for Pitta due to its cooling and soothing properties. It helps calm acidity, inflammation, burning sensations, and heat-related imbalances.
Kapha
Because licorice is sweet and heavy, it should be used cautiously for Kapha types. Smaller amounts and short-term use are typically recommended, often alongside warming or stimulating herbs.
🌿 5 Simple Ayurvedic Ways Licorice Is Traditionally Used
1️⃣ For acidity or heartburn
Licorice is traditionally used to soothe irritation and excess heat in the stomach. A mild licorice tea may be sipped warm, ideally between meals, to help calm burning or acidic sensations linked to Pitta imbalance.
2️⃣ For stress and nervous exhaustion
Licorice supports and nourishes the nervous system when the body feels depleted. A small amount, often taken with a warm beverage in the evening, is traditionally used during periods of stress, fatigue, or burnout.
3️⃣ For throat and voice support
Licorice naturally coats and soothes the throat. Warm licorice tea may be gently sipped when the throat feels dry, strained, or irritated, especially during seasonal changes or heavy voice use.
4️⃣ For sensitive or inflamed digestion
When digestion feels irritated rather than sluggish, licorice is traditionally used to support healing of the digestive lining. It is used in small amounts and often combined with other herbs to calm inflammation and sensitivity.
5️⃣ For heat-related skin irritation
Because licorice is cooling and anti-inflammatory, it is sometimes used externally for redness or irritation. A simple paste made with licorice powder and water may be applied briefly and rinsed off, always patch testing first.
These uses are meant for short-term, gentle support and are most effective when tailored to your constitution and overall balance. Understanding how licorice in Ayurveda works allows this herb to be used safely, effectively, and in a way that supports long-term balance.
⚠️ A Gentle Safety NoteLicorice is not appropriate for everyone and should not be used continuously without guidance. Overuse may affect fluid balance or blood pressure. As with all Ayurvedic herbs, dosage, duration, and individual constitution matter.
🌸 Ayutherapy Can Help
At Ayutherapy, herbs like licorice are never recommended in isolation. Every recommendation begins with a thorough Ayurvedic consultation to understand your constitution, digestion, stress levels, and underlying imbalances.
When appropriate, licorice may be included in customized herbal formulations, digestive support plans, or Panchakarma preparation and recovery protocols. Our approach focuses on safe, personalized, and sustainable healing rather than one-size-fits-all remedies.
If digestive discomfort, inflammation, stress-related fatigue, or seasonal imbalance is affecting your wellbeing, an Ayurvedic consultation can help determine the most supportive path forward.