Mulethi or licorice powder is one of the most popular ingredients used in Ayurveda to treat certain ailments. In India, it is a common ingredient found in every household and is often given to someone to chew on if they have a sore throat or nasal congestion. This traditional herb is the answer to obesity, respiratory problems, gastric issues, skin infections, joint pain, and more. In Ayurveda, this root powder is called Yashtimadhu, and it is derived from the stem of licorice. Slightly yellow in color, with a strong odor, it is rich in calcium, glycyrrhizin acid, antioxidants, antibiotics, and protein.
There are plenty of benefits of licorice powder, an essential part of Indian Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, both its stem and roots are used for medicinal treatments. In this article, we will tell you all the benefits of mulethi powder for the skin, hair, and health.
Licorice Root Benefits for Skin
Licorice boasts a number of active ingredients and properties that give your skin some serious love, especially when it comes to protecting and brightening. Here are just a few of the reasons why licorice root benefits your skin:
If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, a condition where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin due to extra melanin deposits in those spots, Liquorice can restore the skin to a lighter color when applied daily to the darkened area. Today, the leading treatment for hyperpigmentation and skin spots is a chemical called hY. Licorice is an exciting all-natural treatment option that offers a brilliant alternative for those looking to avoid putting a chemical on their skin. If you are suffering from melasma (known as the mask of pregnancy), it’s a great natural remedy to help lighten the skin after delivery.
2. Hide Sun Damage
Dark spots and age spots caused by the sun can wreak havoc on the body by giving away your age. Applying Liquorice in topical form can help bring your skin to a smooth, lighter tone thanks to the Glabridin that stops the skin from darkening after sun exposure. And since sun damage is a primary cause of discoloration of the skin, Liquorice also contains UV blocking enzymes that help protect you from future damage.
3. Fade Dark Scars
When injuries from falls or other mishaps leave a scar on your body, it can take years before they fully match your normal skin tone. Licorice helps to speed up the process by blocking the melanin production and evening out the skin tone of dark scars. Though, it won’t help much on light-colored ones.
4. Treat Skin Conditions
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) are skin conditions that leave scaly patches all over the skin. Licorice contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and itching or burning of the skin. Studies have shown that eczema patients can either use a topical cream or drink a Liquorice tea twice a day to stave off symptoms.
5. Ease inflammation
Many things can disrupt your skin and leave behind itchy, swollen and red spots. From poison ivy to bug bites, you would use a hydrocortisone cream to calm the sting. The Glycyrrhizin found in Liquorice is helpful in relieving redness and swelling in the exact same way that hydrocortisone helps soothe the pain.
6. Firm and tighten skin
Who doesn’t want to keep their skin feeling baby soft? Licorice helps regenerate elastin and collagen for skin that’s smooth to the touch and stretches easily. It also contains amino acids which have long been known to help moisturize and rehydrate the skin.
7. Treat Acne
Acne is a condition marked by red bumps that are caused by excessive oil production in the glands. Licorice helps control oil production and will also help reduce the redness experienced by those with Rosacea, which causes a flushed face with red, patchy skin.
8. Banish Athlete's Foot
Everyone hates the itchy, sometimes painful results of having forgotten to wear your flip-flops in the hotel shower. Rubbing a topical cream can help eliminate the symptoms of the Athlete’s foot and treat the problem.
9. Heal Wounds and Skin Infections
Licorice has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties and is great for wound cleaning. It also helps to keep swelling and redness to a minimum. The Liquorice works by reducing the number of bacteria on the skin and allowing the skin to repair faster.
10. Fight Wrinkles
No one wants to have crow’s feet but sun damage can bring them on faster than you can say sunscreen. Thankfully, UV blocking enzymes help to ward off sun damage that can cause wrinkles to accelerate at an unwanted rate. Licorice is also full of antioxidants that help block free radicals and keep your skin from aging prematurely.
Your skin is your most important organ. From the day you are born, it guards you against the impurities of the daily grind. You are constantly bombarded with UVB rays, pollution, and other damaging free radicals. It’s imperative that you add as many natural beauty products to your daily routine as possible. You want to make sure you treat your skin with the utmost care and that’s why adding natural alternatives, like licorice root extract, is great for treating common skin ailments and helping you have a beauty routine that is 100 percent good for you.
How to use mulethi powder for the skin
- In a bowl, add two tablespoons of mulethi powder with one tablespoon of honey.
- Mix well to make a thick paste, then add a teaspoon of lemon juice, combine the ingredients well.
- If the paste is too thick, add a teaspoon of rose water.
- Apply evenly on cleansed face and allow it to stay for 25 minutes, then wash off with cold water.
- Repeat twice a week for best results.
Licorice Root Benefits for Hair
Prevents hair fall
If you are facing hair fall issues and looking for a natural remedy, mulethi could be the answer. Licorice powder promotes blood circulation in the scalp and nourishes the roots by supplying vital nutrients to the hair follicles. This helps arrest hair fall as well as condition the hair, adding a healthy shine to it.
Cures dandruff
Dandruff can be quite bothersome, especially if it falls like flakes on your shoulders. This problem can be cured with the use of this Ayurvedic ingredient. The antibacterial properties in mulethi powder curbs dandruff and other scalp infections that cause itching on the scalp.
Promotes hair growth
If you feel like your hair growth has become stagnant, you are not alone. It could be a result of stress, poor hair care habits, or an unhealthy diet. But if you can get your hands on mulethi powder, there’s no harm in using it to promote blood and oxygen supply to the hair, which helps promote hair growth.
Prevents premature greying
Ayurveda strongly suggests that consuming and applying mulethi powder to the hair can prevent premature greying. The wide range of antioxidants and nutrients in this natural ingredient will give you your best hair yet.
How to use mulethi powder for the hair
- In a bowl, take a cup of curds, to this add five spoons of mulethi powder along with two spoons of olive oil.
- Mix all the ingredients well and apply all over your hair and scalp, massage for a few minutes then let it stay for another 15-20 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
