Mulethi for Cold and Cough: Benefits, Uses & How to Take It
Quick Overview of the Blog
“Mulethi, or liquorice root, is one of those remedies most of us grew up with, stirred into kadha or sipped as tea the moment a cough sets in. Ayurveda has trusted it for generations, though science hasn’t yet shown how much it actually helps with a cold. If you reach for it, stick to the directions on your pack and don’t double up on tea, powder and lozenges together. Go easy, too. Mulethi can raise blood pressure and lower potassium, especially with heavy or long use. So skip self-treating if you have high BP, heart or kidney problems or are pregnant, and check with your doctor if you take regular medicines or want to give it to your child.”
A cold and cough can seem like minor problems until they keep you awake at night or interrupt every conversation. Add a sore throat and a runny nose, and even your usual routine can feel tiring. That’s often when someone at home suggests a familiar remedy—mulethi.
You may remember its sweet, earthy taste from a homemade kadha or a cup of herbal tea. Also called liquorice or Yashtimadhu, mulethi has been used in Ayurveda for generations, especially for cough and throat discomfort. While it’s a familiar home remedy, research on how well it works for the common cold is still limited.
Today, mulethi is available as dried root, powder, tea and lozenges. But before reaching for it, you might wonder: how should you take it, and is it suitable for everyone?
Table of Contents
What Is Mulethi?
Mulethi, also known as liquorice or licorice root, commonly comes from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is sold as dried root sticks, powder, tea and concentrated extracts.
Its distinctive sweetness comes partly from glycyrrhizin, a naturally occurring compound. This is also the compound behind several of liquorice’s important side effects. Being a familiar kitchen ingredient doesn’t mean it can be taken freely.
Can Mulethi Help With Cold and Cough?
If you grew up with mulethi as a home remedy, you may already associate it with relief. Research gives us a more cautious picture.
A long tradition of use
Mulethi powder has been used for cough and respiratory discomfort in traditional medicine for generations. Liquorice root also appears in the European Medicines Agency’s cough-and-cold herbal assessment.
That history explains its popularity, but traditional use alone cannot tell us how much relief a cup of homemade mulethi tea will provide.
Some promising cough research
A small study involving 70 adults found that a particular liquorice pastille preparation improved chronic cough symptoms compared with a placebo.
It’s an interesting result, with an important limitation: a chronic cough is different from a cough that comes with a seasonal cold. The study also tested a specific preparation, rather than loose mulethi powder or homemade tea.
Limited evidence for sore throats
Some studies suggest liquorice gargles or lozenges may help with throat soreness caused by a breathing tube during surgery. Those findings don’t necessarily apply to the sore throat you get with a cold.
For now, it’s reasonable to view mulethi as a traditional comfort measure rather than a proven treatment for a cold or throat infection.
How to Take Mulethi for Cold and Cough?
Before you reach for a spoonful, check what you’re using. A tea bag, a root powder and a concentrated extract can contain very different amounts of the plant’s compounds.
As mulethi tea
If you’re using a packaged tea, follow the preparation instructions. Check whether it contains only mulethi or a mix of herbs, and resist the temptation to make it extra strong.
A stronger brew doesn’t automatically mean better relief.
As mulethi powder
Choose a product intended for consumption and read the directions carefully. A generic “one teaspoon” recommendation won’t suit every product, especially when formulations differ.
If the label leaves you guessing about how much to take or how long to use it, ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional.
Mixed with honey
Some households mix mulethi powder with honey. If that’s how you prefer it, remember that honey doesn’t change the precautions that come with liquorice.
There is no single, well-established homemade mulethi dose for the common cold. Avoid stacking several liquorice products—such as tea, powder and lozenges—without checking whether the combination is appropriate.
How to Choose a Good Mulethi Powder?
| Bio Organic Mulethi Powder | Other Mulethi Powders |
|---|---|
| Organic Glycyrrhiza glabra root powder | Botanical name, plant part and complete ingredients |
| ECOCERT certification under the NPOP standard* | Organic certification and its validity |
| Triple-sifted, micro-fine powder* | Powder fineness and processing details |
| No added colours or preservatives* | Whether colours, preservatives or fillers are included |
| Vegan ingredients* | Ingredients and vegan certification |
| Not tested on animals* | Brand’s animal-testing policy |
Nutritional Value of Bio Organic Mulethi Powder
| Nutrient | Amount per 3g Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 3 calories | — |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | — |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 7 mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 0 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrates | Less than 1 g | 0% |
| Dietary fibre | 1 g | 1% |
| Sugars | 1 g | — |
| Protein | 1 g | — |
| Vitamin A | — | 22% |
| Magnesium | — | 3% |
| Calcium | — | 2% |
| Iron | — | 6% |
| Vitamin B6 | — | 2% |
| Vitamin B12 | — | 3% |
| “Vitamin K-12” (as printed) | — | 3% |
| Vitamin C | — | 0% |
Who Should Be Careful With Mulethi?
This is the part that’s easy to overlook when a remedy feels familiar.
Liquorice containing glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure, lower potassium and cause serious heart problems, especially with excessive or prolonged use. People with high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney conditions should avoid self-medicating with it.
Avoid medicinal use during pregnancy; safety during breastfeeding is uncertain. If you take regular medicines, check with a healthcare professional first, as interactions can occur.
For a child, get professional advice rather than reducing an adult dose yourself.
FAQs
There isn’t enough good-quality evidence to say that it does. Its long-standing use for cough should not be taken as proof that it clears the infection causing your symptoms.
The evidence doesn’t give us a dependable rule for choosing mulethi based on that distinction. Finding out what is causing the cough matters more.
Don’t turn it into a long-term daily habit without checking whether it’s suitable for you. The strength of the product, how much you take and how long you use it all matter.
It can. Organic mulethi still contains naturally occurring compounds, including glycyrrhizin. Organic certification does not remove those risks.