Planet Ayurveda Yasthimadhu Ghan Vati
Planet Ayurveda Yasthimadhu Ghan Vati is a purple and white flowering perennial, native to the Mediterranean region and to central and Southwest Asia. It is cultivated widely for the sweet taproot that grows to a depth of four feet. Yasthimadhu is also called sweet root as it is sweet in taste. In Sanskrit it is called yashtimadhu - ‘yashti’ meaning ‘stem, stalk; and madhu, meaning ‘sweet’. In Hindi Liquorice is known as ‘mulethi’. The root is perennial, round, long and straight, tough and fibrous. It is grayish outside and yellowish within. And its most desirable virtues lie within the cortical. In India, it is cultivated widely in Punjab and the sub-Himalayan tracts.
Key Ingredient of Yasthimadhu Ghanvati
- Yashtimadhu Phanta – a water infusion of licorice is used in Vamana Panchakarma procedure.
- Ghee prepared with licorice – yashtimadhu Ghrita is used extensively in treating peptic ulcers and gastritis.
- Yashtimadhu oil – is used for nasya therapy (nasal instillation) and hair application to prevent baldness, greying and to reduce hair fall.
Indications of Yasthimadhu/ Yashtimadhu
Traditionally, Yasthimadhu was used as a medicine rather than as a spice. The main part of the plant used in medicine is the root. This root is a demulcent and gentle relaxant, soothing to mucous irritations, and valued chiefly for its sweet taste and in masking the sharpness / pungency / taste of other remedies. Ayurveda recommends the root as beneficial in the treatment of coughs, colds, and other bronchial irritations.
- Helps Treat Skin Problems
Yasthimadhu is beneficial to treat eczema, skin rashes, psoriasis, and itchy and dry skin. Studies suggest that the demulcent and anti-inflammatory agents in Yasthimadhu may decrease the signs of atopic dermatitis (eczema). Just applying a concentrated extract made from Yasthimadhu root onto the area 2 to 3 times daily can help alleviate skin problems. Yasthimadhu root extracts are widely used as a botanical agent in sunscreens.
- Helps Treat Respiratory Problems
Yasthimadhu is used to treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Ayurveda recommends Yasthimadhu as an effective expectorant, helping to liquefy mucus and facilitate its discharge from the body. The expectorant effect of Yasthimadhu benefits people suffering from asthma or chest colds with tight coughs or difficult breathing. Yasthimadhu containing glycyrrhizin may be used for respiratory infections. For colds and respiratory afflictions, it can also be combined with fresh ginger.
- Relieves Acidity And Constipation
In Ayurvedic medicine, powdered Yasthimadhu is also considered an excellent remedy for hyperacidity and constipation, and clinical tests prove that it is useful for relieving pain, discomfort and other symptoms caused by acid ubstance in the stomach. It removes the irritating effects of acids in a better way than alkalis. Furthermore, liquiritin, a flavonoid glycoside has been identified as the aglycon liquiritigenin and it is spontaneously formed when the root is dried. This is responsible for the spasmolytic effects of Yasthimadhu. It is a mild laxative, which soothes and tones the mucous membranes.
Deglycyrrhizinated Yasthimadhu (DGL) is useful in treating ulcers of the digestive tract because of the flavonoids, which are not harmed by the removal of glycyrrhizin. The flavonoids have been known to kill Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that cause most ulcers and inflammations of the stomach.
The flavonoids in Yasthimadhu help reduce excessive fat accumulation in the body. According to a study, published in the Obesity Research and Clinical Practice journal, people who took 900 mg of Yasthimadhu flavonoid oil daily for 8 weeks experienced reductions in body fat, body weight, body mass index, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
- Alleviates Menopause Problems
Yasthimadhu shows mild estrogenic properties similar to other phytoestrogens. It can promote estrogen production and interferes with the effects of too much estrogen, especially from external sources. The phytoestrogenic action of Yasthimadhu root is useful for hormonal problems including hot flashes, exhaustion, mood swings in women who are going through menopause.
- Menstrual And Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Cramps
The anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and estrogenic action of Yasthimadhu might assist with PMS symptoms including mood swings, breast tenderness, menstrual cramps, nausea and bloating. According to studies, drinking Yasthimadhu root as a tea each day starting about three days before one’s anticipated time of the month might help to alleviate PMS symptoms.
The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of Yasthimadhu may prevent the growth of cavity-causing bacteria, reduce plaque, fight bad breath and keep the teeth and gums strong and healthy. According to a study published in the journal Anaerobe, Yasthimadhu root extract helps maintain oral health and can be beneficial when used in oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
- Antiviral And Antibacterial
Yasthimadhu also exhibits antibacterial and antiviral properties. The action of glycyrrhizin in Yasthimadhu is similar to hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, especially desoxycorticosterone (DOCA). Glycyrrhizin is changed in the liver to glycyrrhetinic acid. Both these compounds promote the activation of interferon, a potent, naturally produced antiviral compound. Once interferon is activated, white blood cells come into play along with the immune systems’ killer T cells that help the body fight cold viruses and herpes simplex. Yasthimadhu exhibits antibacterial properties due to its flavonoids content rather than due to glycyrrhizin.
Yasthimadhu is also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. This is due to the effect it has on the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing cortisol, the body’s natural corticosteroid. Glycyrrhizin inhibits prostaglandin production, another component of the inflammatory process.
Yasthimadhu can also be used to treat other types of inflammation such as in arthritis, allergic disorders, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression due to hormonal imbalance, emphysema, and hypoglycemia. Yasthimadhu root, particularly deglycyrrhized Yasthimadhu, can be a useful adjunct to antibiotic treatment because it accelerates the healing of the stomach lining.
Dosage
- Take 1 - 2 tablets twice a day with water.
Precautions
Planet Ayurveda Yasthimadhu Ghan Vati is beneficial for health in several ways. But one of the drawbacks of Yasthimadhu is that it may cause peripheral edema (fluid retention) due to the retention of sodium with a loss of potassium, which disappears when Yasthimadhu is stopped. This can cause high blood pressure.However for people with Addison’s disease this is exactly the type of effect needed. In Addison’s disease, the body collects sodium and promotes water loss leading to a serious imbalance of sodium, potassium, and other minerals and water. Consumption of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to increase potassium intake is recommended to help decrease the chance of side effects.
Long-term (more than two to three weeks) intake of products containing more than 1 gram of glycyrrhizin, i.e., the amount contained in approximately 10 grams of root, daily is the usual amount required to cause these effects. Consumption of 7 grams Yasthimadhu, which approximately contains 500 mg glycyrrhizin, per day for seven days, has been shown to decrease serum testosterone levels in healthy men by blocking enzymes needed to synthesize testosterone. As a result of these possible side effects, long-term intake of high levels of glycyrrhizin is discouraged, and should only be undertaken if prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Yasthimadhu is contraindicated in pregnant women as well as in people with heart disease, liver and kidney disorders. De-glycyrrhizinated Yasthimadhu extracts do not cause these side effects because there is no glycyrrhizin in them. Yasthimadhu is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause miscarriage or early delivery. Due to insufficient research and evidence, the National Institute of Health recommends avoiding the use of Yasthimadhu during breastfeeding. Always consult with your doctor before taking any herbal medicines.
