Licorice (Mulethi): Traditional Use, Research & Extract Types

Licorice, commonly known as Mulethi and botanically identified as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a perennial herb whose roots have been used for centuries in traditional wellness systems across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Licorice has been extensively studied for its naturally occurring compounds, particularly glycyrrhizin and flavonoids.

This guide explains:

• What Licorice (Mulethi) is
• How it has been traditionally used
• What modern research has studied
• The difference between Licorice extracts and whole-root powder

This content is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

What Is Licorice (Mulethi)?

Licorice is a flowering plant whose roots are used in botanical preparations. Licorice root naturally contains:

• Glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid)
• Flavonoids
• Saponins
• Polysaccharides

Among these, glycyrrhizin is the primary compound measured and standardized in many Licorice extracts.

Traditional Use of Mulethi

In Ayurveda and other traditional systems, Mulethi has been included in practices related to:

• Digestive wellness traditions
• Respiratory and throat-soothing traditions
• Herbal balancing formulations
• General vitality practices

These traditional uses led to significant scientific interest in Licorice root.

What Modern Research Has Studied

Modern research has focused primarily on Licorice root extracts and their phytochemical composition.

Phytochemical Research

A review published in Phytotherapy Research discussed the chemical constituents of Glycyrrhiza glabra, including glycyrrhizin and flavonoids.
Source: Fiore et al. (2008). Phytotherapy Research.

Botanical & Experimental Studies

Research in Journal of Ethnopharmacology evaluated Licorice root extracts under controlled laboratory conditions.
Source: Wang et al. (2015). J Ethnopharmacol.

Traditional Use Reviews

A review in Journal of Herbal Medicine documented the traditional and historical use of Licorice in classical systems.
Source: Pastorino et al. (2018). J Herbal Med.

These studies were conducted using standardized extracts or controlled preparations, not retail dietary supplements.

Licorice Extract vs Organic Licorice Root Powder

Licorice is commonly available in two main forms.

Licorice Extract (Standardized)

Standardized Licorice extracts are concentrated and measured for marker compounds, such as 30% extract strength, allowing consistent botanical composition.

👉 View Licorice Extract Powder 30%

👉 View Licorice Extract Capsules

Organic Licorice Root Powder

Organic Licorice powder is made from dried whole roots and contains Licorice in its natural, un-concentrated form.

👉 View Organic Licorice Root Powder

👉 View Organic Licorice Capsules

Why Standardization Matters

Most scientific studies on Licorice focus on standardized extracts, not whole-root powder.

Standardization allows:

• Consistent phytochemical composition
• Batch-to-batch uniformity
• Reliable botanical comparison

Important Reminder

Scientific research studies botanical extracts under controlled conditions.
Retail dietary supplements are not evaluated in the same way.

Final Thoughts

Licorice (Mulethi) remains one of the most widely used root botanicals worldwide. Whether used as a standardized extract or as whole-root powder, it continues to play an important role in traditional and modern botanical practices.

Compliance Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only.
It does not provide medical advice.
Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.