Mulethi, also known as mulethi churna is one such classical ayurvedic remedy that has a centuries-long repute of being the ultimate grandma’s remedy for cough and sore throat. This traditional herb exhibits manifold benefits and is extensively used in several folk remedies and classical ayurvedic formulations to help in respiratory problems, obesity, skin infection, liver disorders, gastric problem, hormonal regulation, general debility, joint pain and many more. Mulethi, which goes by the scientific name Glycyrrhiza glabra comes from the Fabaceae family. The word ‘Glycyrrhiza’ is derived from the Greek term ‘glykos’ which means ‘sweet’ and the term ‘rhiza’ means ‘root’ and hence the name given to this plant is ‘sweet root’. Licorice is an herbaceous, perennial plant that grows up to a height of 1 metre and is commonly found in the dry, hot, and sunny climates of Southern Europe, Asia, and most Indian regions. The plant has stoloniferous roots and green coloured pinnate leaves with 10-15 leaflets. The flowers of this sweet root plant are purple to whitish-blue and are conch shell-shaped. The plant bears oblong podded fruits that embed several small seeds. Mulethi, clad by the vernacular names ‘Licorice’ in English, ‘Mulethi’ or ‘Jethimadhu’ in Hindi, ‘Atimadhuram’ in Tamil, ‘Yashtimadhukam’ in Telugu, and ‘Jestimadh’ in Marathi, it is one of the most common ayurvedic herbs, that is found in almost every Indian household and is often handed over to chew on whenever someone’s got a sore throat or a chest or nasal congestion.

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In case of respiratory troubles, prepare a mulethi decoction or kadha by boiling a few mulethi sticks in water. Take this ayurvedic kadha several times a day to cure cough and cold.
In case of sore throat, chew on the mulethi root, so as to allow the juice from the roots reach the throat and hence get relief from irritating throat and hoarse voice.
For treating cough and cold in kids, mix a spoon of mulethi powder and a spoonful of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and make your kids take this sweet tincture twice a day for getting relief.
For nasal and chest congestion, make an ayurvedic decoction by boiling a few pieces of mulethi root, tulsi leaves, pudina leaves in water. Strain the mixture and drink the aqueous decoction by infusing it with a spoon of honey to open a blocked nose and reduce inflammation due to chest congestion.
Mulethi is considered to be a one-shot remedy for all sorts of respiratory troubles. Having powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, and anti-asthmatic properties, licorice plays a pivotal role in treating the common cold, cough and flu symptoms. It also thins and slackens phlegm deposits within the chest and nasal cavities and hence eases breathing and helps the body to get rid of mucus.