Yashtimadhu: The rapid healer

 

     Yashtimadhu, also known as Madhuka is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Ayurveda owing to it’s Pitta and Vata alleviation property. It is commonly known as Liquorice and is sweet in taste. Yashti is used in the alleviation of numerous diseases including Cough, Dyspnoea, Burning sensation etc. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Yashti in hoarseness of voice, vomiting and respiratory conditions because of it’s Sita vjrya(Cold potency) and Vata Pitta hara nature. The herb contains Phytoconstituents like glycyrhizine, licoagrone, quercitin etc which are found to have excellent antiinflammatory actions. 

General Aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Glycyrrhiza glabra      

Family :  Papilionaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

Roots and stolons

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Chardinigrahana varga (Alleviates Vomiting )

Susruta Samhita – Kakolyadi gana

Pharmacological Actions

Hepatoprotective 

Antimicrobial 

Antipyretic 

Antioxidant 

Antiinflammatory 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

Varnya (increases skin complexion )

Visaghna ( Anti poisonous )

Balya (Promotes strength)

Kasahara (reduces Cough )

Jawarahara(Cures fever )

Therapeutic indications

Anaemia (Pandu)- Powder of Yashti is mixed with honey and is taken internally to alleviate Anaemia 

Hiccough (Hikka)- Nasal administration of powder of Yashti and honey is good for Hiccough.

Hoarseness of Voice(Swasa )- Yashti is processed with ricemilk and ghee and is taken internally to clear voice.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (Kashaya)- 60 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

Yashtyadi kashaya 

Yashtimaduvadi taila

Yashtivasadi kwatha

Morphology :

Perennial herbaceous climber with long and grooved stem. Leaves are 4 in one whorl. Inflorescence is terminal panicled cymes. Flowers are greenish.

Vernacular names of  Yashtimadhu 

English –Liquorice 

Hindi- Mulathee 

Malayalam –  Irattimadhuram 

Sanskrit – Yashtimadhu 

Synonyms of Yashtimadhu 

Madhuka  

Klithaka

Rasapanchaka – Yashtimadhu

 

Rasa- Madhura(Sweet)

Guna-  Guru (heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura(Sweet)

Virya- Sita (cold)

यष्टी हिमा गुरुः स्वाद्वी चक्षुष्या बलवर्णकृत् । 

सुस्निग्धा शुक्रला केश्या स्वर्या पित्तानिलास्रजित् ।

व्रणशोथविषच्छर्दितृष्णाग्लानिक्षयापहा ||

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu – Haritakyadi varga- Shloka no 145)

Yashti alleviates Vata Pitta doshas because of it’s Sweet taste and Cold potency. Hence it can be uses to treat diseases of Vata Pitta origin like Cough(Kasa), Dyspnoea (Swasa ) etc. Yashti churna is an excellent single herb medicine for the ailment of hoarseness of voice. Yashti is also used in many Rasayana oushadhis because of it’s Rejuvanative action. Dr Varun Ram Raj, is leading the research for Ayurvedatarian single herbs and herbal combinations for making the availability of high quality herbal as well as Ayurvedic products to the globe. 

Researches on Yashtimadhu 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296340/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281478067_Phyto-Pharmacological_Perspective_of_Yashtimadhu_Glycyrrhiza_Glabra_LINN_-_A_Review

Frequently asked Questions

1) Is Yashtimadhu good for increasing skin complexion   ?

   Yes, According to Ayurveda, Yashti have Varnya(Increase skin complexion ) property. Paste of Yashtimadhu can be applied on skin in regular basis to attain more glowing skin.

2) What are the uses of Yashti kwatha? 

 Yashtyadi kwatha is used in blood disorders like Bleeding harmorrhoids (Rakta arsas)

3) What is the dose of Yashtyadi kwatha?

   Yashtyadi kwatha can be taken at a dose of 90 ml twice per day.