The liquorice plant, commonly known as Yashtimadhu or Mulethi, is a herbaceous perennial legume native to the Western Asia and Southern Europe. It grows upto 6 feet in height with spikes bearing lilac-colored flowers with bean-like pods containing 3-4 seeds. It has round, wrinkled roots which are brown in color. It is known for its antitussive & expectorant properties and thus it can be used for treatment of sore throat, cough, bronchial cattarh. The active component of licorice is glycyrrhizin that helps to expel congestion in the upper respiratory tract and accelerates tracheal mucus secretion. Another active component, liquiritin apioside, has the ability to inhibit capsaicin, a compound that induces cough. Apart from this, it is also used for its antacid, anti-ulcerative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, immunomodulator properties. 
Ayurvedic significance:
	
Rasa (taste): Madhura (Sweet)
	
Veerya (nature): Sheeta (Cold)
	
Vipaka (taste developed through digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
	
Guna (qualities): Guru, Pichilam  (Sticky, Heavy) 
	
Doshas (effect on humors): Balances Pitta & Vata