Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameMulaithi
Formal nameYastimadhu
Other names　　　

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Mullethi (T), Yashtimadhu, Jashimadhu (B), Mullethi, Jatimadh (H), Jestamadhu (K), Irattimadhuram (M), Atimadhuramu (Te), Athimadhuram (Ta), Sinmnar (Ti), Jethimadhu (N), Welmi (Sin)
English nameLiquorice
Original plant nameGlycyrrhiza glabra Linn., Liquorice
Family nameLeguminosae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification root + stolon
Collection informationIndia, New Delhi, Hans Raj & Sons
Collection date1991/05/07
CollectorTsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.12309

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
Production area information
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28.6139391
77.20902120000005
Collection information
India,New Delhi
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Yastimadhu, Liquorice, Liquorice Root
SynonymsMadhukam, Madhudrava, Madhuyasti, Yastika, Yastyahva, Yastimadhukam, Klitanika, Laksmana, Yasti, Klitaka, Madhulika, Madhuvalli, Madhusrava, Madhuka, Vasusammitam, Klitaniyakam, Madhuli, Madhuralata, Madhurasa, Atirasa, Sosapaha, Saumya
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Original plant nameGlycyrrhiza glabra Linn.
Family nameLeguminosae
Used partRoots
Distribution areaCultivated in India in Punjab etc. Native of Central Asia, Iraq, Persia and Asia minor. The drug is imported to India.
RemarksCommonly used
Common usesThe drug is a tonic, demulcent and emollient and is used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, cough, dysuria, gastric and duodenal ulcers, sore throat, nervine weakness, genito-urinary diseases and skin diseases. Liquorice is used in the form of decoction, infusion or lozenges. Root decoction is good for falling and graying of hair. Root extract is a constituent of cough syrups, throat lozenges and pastilles and it is employed in the form of aromatic syrups and elixirs for masking the taste of nauseous medicines. Liquorice is also chewed with betel leaves. Externally it is applied with ghee and honey for cuts and wounds.
Therapeutic usesRaktapitta (bleeding disorders), Vrana (wounds), Sopha (oedema), Visa (poisons), Chardi (vomiting), Trsna (thirst), Ksaya (emaciation), Vatarakta (arthritic conditions)
Chemical constituentTriterpenoid saponins
Glycyrrhizin (2-14%)

Flavones & Flavonols
Liquiritin

Chalcones, Dihydrochalcones & Aurones
Isoliquiritin

Others
Glucose, sucrose, mannite, starch, asparagine,　bitter principles, resin, volatile oil.

Pharmacological effectGlycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid exert a powerful influence on human steroid hormone function. Glycyrrhetinic acid exhibits antitumour promoting activity.

Liquorice extract is spasmolytic and stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion. The extract is reported to be useful also in the treatment of Addison's disease. Extract medication, however may lead to the development of oedema.

Special precautions should be taken with elderly patients and patients with hypertension or cardiac, renal or hepatic disease. They should not receive Liquorice preparations high in glycyrrhizin for prolonged periods.

Liquorice is contraindicated if there is oedema, congestive heart failure or hypokalaemia. It should not be prescribed if the patient is using potassium depleting diuretics. High doses of glycyrrhizin may counter the contraceptive pill.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
Virya (Potency)Sita (Cold)
Guna (Quality)Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Unctuous)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Madhura (Sweet)
Karma
(General action)		Vrana sodhana (purifying wounds), Ropana (healing), Vrsya (aphrodisiac), Kesya (good for hair), Balakrt (strengthening), Varnakrt (improving complexion), Svarya (good for voice)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Pitta Vata
Dhatukarma(Action
on body tissues)		Sukrala (increasing reproductive tissue), Asra (blood)
Mala
(Action on excretory mechanism)		Grahi (constipative)
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Caksusya (good for eye)
Traditional usage1. After application of Ksara (alkali), ghee mixed with Yastimadhu (Liquorice) should be applied on haemorrhoides/hemorrhoids.

2. In case of pain in head, sides and shoulders, the parts should be sprinkled with milk and decoction of Yastimadhu.

3. Paste of Yastimadhu and Katuka (Picrorhiza kurroa) should be taken with sugar water in heart disease. Enema of oil cooked with Yastimadhu and mixed with honey should be given for heart disease.

4. Ghee is cooked with the paste of Yastimadhu and Amalaka (Phyllanthus emblica) juice. It is a good remedy for epilepsy caused by Pitta. Yastimadhu pounded with Kusmanda (Benincasa hispida) juice should be taken for three days. It alleviates epilepsy.

5. Pressed snuff should be used of Yastimadhu mixed with honey or Pippali (Piper longum) mixed with fine sugar in hiccough.

6. The affected part should be sprinkled with ghee scum, cold milk and decoction of Yastimadhu or Pancavalkala* (a group of five barks) in erysipelas.

7. One should take decoction of Yastimadhu or powder of the same with honey in anaemia.

8. In retention of urine, Yastimadhu, Darvi (Coscinium fenestratum) and seeds of Ervaru (Cucumis melo) should be taken with rice water.

9. Paste of Yastimadhu and Kumkuma (Crocus sativus) is kept in water mixed with jaggery for the whole night and taken cold in the morning. It removes all urinary disorders.

10. In arthritis predominant in Vata, goat's milk mixed with half oil and Yastimadhu should be given.

11. Unctous enema should be given with oil cooked with Yastimadhu for scrotal enlargement.

12. Pain of the accidental wound is removed by applying locally warm ghee mixed with Yastimadhu. Paste of Yastimadhu mixed with Nimba leaves (Azadirachta indica) acts as wound cleansing. Paste of Yastimadhu and Tila (Sesamum indicum) mixed with ghee is wound healing.

13. In fistula in ano, the wound should be sprinkled with Yastimadhu taila (Liquorice oil).

14. Ghee mixed with Yastimadhu pacifies burns caused by alkali.

15. In eye diseases, after scarification of lid, the same should be sprinkled with decoction of Yastimadhu or milk boiled with Candana (Santalum album).

16. In corneal opacity, one of the following is used with honey as collyrium- Yastimadhu extract, Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) seeds and rocksalt.

17. One affected with the meno-metrorrhagia should take Yastimadhu mixed with sugar and pounded with rice water.

18. Cow's milk mixed with Yastimadhu and sugar promotes lactation.

19. Intake of Yastimadhu powder with milk acts as rejuvenative particularly intellect promoting.

20. Paste of Yastimadhu should be taken in intrinsic haemorrhage/hemorrhage. Emesis should be given mixed with Yastimadhu and honey in intrinsic haemorrhage.

21. Milk processed with Sarkara (Jaggery), Kasmari (Gmelina arborea) and Yastimadhu promotes growth of foetus.

22. Yastimadhu mixed with honey should be used as pressed snuff for hemicrania.

23. Yastimadhu and aconite are pounded finely and mixed with mustard powder. Put in the nostrils it removes all types of headaches.

24. In upward movement of Vata due to retention of urine, sugar, sugarcane juice, milk, Draksa (Grapes) and Yastimadhu should be given.

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Pancavalkala* refers to the thick bark skins of five herbs, viz. Vata (Ficus bengalensis), Udumbara (Ficus glomerata), Asvattha (Ficus religiosa), Parisa (Thespesia populenoides) and Plaksa (Ficus lacor). It has properties of Sodhana (cleaning) and Ropana (healing) of wounds.
FormulationYastyadi curna, Yastyadi kvatha, Yastimadhukadi taila, Satapaka madhuka taila, Yastyadi taila, Pinda taila, Sudarsana curna
CommentsThere are two different varieties of Yastimadhu. Sthalaja (terrestrial) and Jalaja (aquatic)

This is used in the Kanthya, Jivaniya, Sandhaniya, Varnya, Kandughna, Mutravirajaniya, Sonitasthapana, Chardinigrahana, Snehopaga, Vamanopaga, Asthapanopaga gana of Caraka and Kakolyadi, Sarivadi, and Anjanadi gana of Susruta.
ReferencesReference book　

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[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 3 (Repr.1996), pp 84-88.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 126.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 116.

Indian Materia Medica, Vols. 1-2, 1976 (Repr. 1989). Nadkarni, A.K., Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay
p 582.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
309.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 253-256.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 284.

RemarksLiquorice is best used as 1:1 fluid extract. Oral doses of Liquorice can be used for gastric, duodenal and oesophageal ulceration or inflammation, heartburn and mouth ulcers.
Last renewal date2023/12/27
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