Mulethi (liquorice root), the Ayurvedic herb that works on skin, hair, and inner health
Quick Answer Summary
The short version before you read on
What mulethi actually is
Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is the dried root of the liquorice plant, one of the most widely used herbs in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Unani medicine. Its primary active compound is glabridin, a flavonoid with documented anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and melanin-inhibiting properties. It also contains glycyrrhizin, liquiritin, and isoliquiritigenin, compounds that contribute to its skin-brightening, acne-calming, and gut-soothing effects. It is one of the rare Ayurvedic herbs with benefits that span topical skincare, hair health, and internal wellness simultaneously.
What it does for skin
Glabridin inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production in skin cells. This is the same mechanism as many prescription skin-brightening actives, but without the irritation risk. Applied consistently, mulethi fades dark spots, post-acne hyperpigmentation, and sun damage. Its anti-inflammatory action simultaneously calms active acne and reduces redness. The combination of brightening and calming in one ingredient is rare, most brightening actives (like AHAs and Vitamin C at high concentrations) can irritate acne-prone or sensitive skin, while mulethi does both without this tradeoff.
What it does for hair
For hair, glabridin plays a different role, it inhibits the enzyme responsible for melanin breakdown rather than melanin production. This means in the hair context, mulethi preserves existing pigment in the hair shaft, slowing the visible rate of greying. It also conditions the scalp, reduces inflammation around the follicle, and supports the overall environment in which melanocytes function. This is why mulethi is one of the core ingredients in Ayurvedic grey hair formulas alongside Bhringraj and Amla.
Internal benefits
Mulethi has a long documented history as a digestive and respiratory herb. Glycyrrhizin soothes the gut lining and reduces acidity, making it useful for acid reflux and gastritis. Its expectorant properties make it a traditional remedy for cough, sore throat, and upper respiratory infections. It has mild adaptogenic properties that support immune function under stress. Internal use should be limited, long-term high-dose consumption of glycyrrhizin has documented side effects including elevated blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances.
In this article
Mulethi, the Hindi name for liquorice root, is one of the most versatile herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It appears in classical texts for respiratory health, digestive support, skin brightening, and hair care, making it unusual among single herbs for spanning both beauty and wellness applications with documented mechanisms in each area. This article covers all of them, what mulethi contains, how it works on skin, hair, and the gut, how to use it correctly for each purpose, and what the safety considerations are for internal use.
What is mulethi and what does it contain?
Mulethi is the dried root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, the liquorice plant, which grows across the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and parts of India. It has been used in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani medicine for over 3,000 years, making it one of the most extensively documented medicinal herbs globally. Its characteristic sweet taste comes from glycyrrhizin, a compound 30–50 times sweeter than sugar, which is also responsible for many of its therapeutic effects.
Key bioactive compounds in mulethi
| Compound | Type | Primary documented effects |
|---|---|---|
| Glabridin | Isoflavonoid | Tyrosinase inhibition (skin brightening); melanin preservation (hair); anti-inflammatory; antioxidant |
| Glycyrrhizin | Triterpenoid saponin | Anti-inflammatory; antiviral; gut lining protection; immune modulation |
| Liquiritin | Flavonoid glycoside | Skin brightening; disperses existing melanin in skin cells; antioxidant |
| Isoliquiritigenin | Chalcone flavonoid | Antimicrobial; anti-acne; anti-inflammatory at the follicle level |
Mulethi for skin, mechanisms and how to use it
Fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Glabridin inhibits tyrosinase, the primary enzyme responsible for melanin production in skin cells. This is the same target as many prescription skin-brightening actives (kojic acid, arbutin), but glabridin achieves it without the irritation, sensitivity, or photosensitivity risk that some of those ingredients carry. Liquiritin adds to the brightening effect by dispersing already-formed melanin clusters in skin cells, improving the appearance of existing dark spots. Combined, these two mechanisms address both new and existing pigmentation.
Calming acne and inflammation. Glycyrrhizin and isoliquiritigenin both have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. For acne-prone skin, mulethi reduces the inflammatory response that causes redness and swelling around breakouts, while its antimicrobial action addresses the bacterial component. The key advantage over conventional acne actives is that mulethi calms without drying, unlike salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, it does not compromise the skin barrier.
Antioxidant protection against UV damage. Mulethi's flavonoid content provides antioxidant protection against UV-induced free radical damage, one of the primary causes of both premature ageing and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Applied consistently before sun exposure, it reduces the degree of oxidative damage that contributes to dark spots and uneven skin tone over time.
DIY mulethi for skin, three methods
Face mask for pigmentation
Mix 1 teaspoon mulethi powder with rose water or aloe vera gel to a paste consistency. Apply to clean skin, leave 15–20 minutes, rinse with cool water. Use 2–3 times a week. Results visible in 4–6 weeks of consistent use.
Spot treatment for acne marks
Mix mulethi powder with raw honey to a thick paste. Apply directly to dark spots or post-acne marks, leave overnight, rinse in the morning. Honey adds antimicrobial action; mulethi addresses the pigmentation component.
Brightening face wash addition
Add a pinch of mulethi powder to your regular face wash before applying. This delivers the brightening actives as part of the daily cleansing routine without requiring a separate mask application step.
When a serum works better than a DIY mask
DIY mulethi masks deliver a meaningful dose of glabridin and liquiritin but require consistent preparation and have variable concentration. For people dealing with significant hyperpigmentation or premature ageing alongside brightening concerns, a formulated serum with stable active concentrations, like Satthwa Bakuchiol Serum, addresses the same concerns through complementary Ayurvedic actives: Bakuchiol (natural retinol alternative for cell renewal and collagen stimulation), Vitamin C (brightening and antioxidant protection), and Ashwagandha (adaptogenic stress protection for skin). The two approaches work well used together, mulethi DIY for targeted brightening, Bakuchiol Serum for the broader anti-ageing and skin renewal layer.
For brightening, anti-ageing and clear skin, Ayurvedic actives in a stable serum
Satthwa Bakuchiol Serum, a natural retinol-alternative serum with Bakuchiol, Vitamin C, Ashwagandha Root Extract, Raspberry Seed Oil, and Amla. Addresses fine lines, dark spots, pigmentation, and dullness through Ayurvedic actives in a stable, daily-use formula. No synthetic chemicals, no fragrance, suitable for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone.
- Bakuchiol, natural retinol alternative; stimulates collagen and cell renewal without irritation
- Vitamin C, brightens skin, fades dark spots, antioxidant protection
- Ashwagandha, reduces skin redness, adaptogenic stress protection for skin cells
- Amla & Raspberry Seed Oil, antioxidant shield against environmental damage
Ships within India only. Free shipping above ₹499. COD available.
Mulethi for grey hair, the melanin preservation mechanism
Mulethi's role in hair health is distinct from its skin role, and less commonly understood. While in skin, glabridin inhibits melanin production (brightening effect), in hair it works on the preservation side: glabridin inhibits the enzyme responsible for breaking down melanin in the hair shaft. This slows the rate at which existing pigment degrades, effectively preserving hair colour for longer and slowing the visible progression of greying.
This mechanism is complementary to Bhringraj (which stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin) and Amla (which protects melanocytes from oxidative damage). Together, the three ingredients cover all three mechanisms in grey hair management, stimulation, protection, and preservation. This is why mulethi appears as one of the 13 ingredients in Satthwa Kalika Hair Oil, it fills a specific, non-redundant role in the formula that no other ingredient covers.
For DIY use on grey hair, mulethi powder can be mixed into a hair oil infusion alongside Bhringraj powder and Amla, soak all three in cold-pressed coconut or sesame oil for 2–3 weeks and apply 4–5 nights a week overnight. For those who want the same combination ready-to-use without the preparation, Kalika Hair Oil contains all three plus 10 more Ayurvedic ingredients cold-infused into a mineral-oil-free base.
Mulethi + Bhringraj + Amla, already combined for grey hair
Satthwa Kalika Hair Oil cold-infuses mulethi alongside Bhringraj, Amla, Indigo, Hibiscus, Kalonji, Jatamansi, Ridge Gourd, Black Tea, Coffee, Shikakai, Neem, and Tulsi, in a mineral-oil-free base. The complete grey hair formula covering melanin stimulation, antioxidant protection, and melanin preservation simultaneously. Apply 4–5 nights a week, massage for 5 minutes, leave overnight.
- Mulethi's glabridin, preserves existing melanin in the hair shaft
- Bhringraj, stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin
- Amla, antioxidant protection for melanocytes
- Results in 8–12 weeks of consistent use on scalp and beard hair
Ships within India only. Free shipping above ₹499. COD available.
Mulethi for internal health, digestion, immunity, and respiratory health
Digestive health. Glycyrrhizin soothes the mucous membrane lining the digestive tract, reducing inflammation associated with gastritis, acid reflux, and peptic ulcers. Mulethi has a long documented use in Ayurveda as a demulcent, a herb that coats and soothes irritated tissue. It also has mild prebiotic effects, supporting beneficial gut bacteria. The traditional preparation is mulethi root boiled in water as a tea, or mulethi powder mixed with warm water or honey.
Respiratory health. Mulethi is classified in Ayurveda as an expectorant, it thins and loosens mucus, making it easier to clear from the respiratory tract. It also has antiviral properties relevant to upper respiratory infections, and its anti-inflammatory action soothes irritated throat and bronchial tissue. Traditional use involves mulethi root sticks chewed directly or boiled into a decoction with ginger and tulsi for coughs, sore throats, and colds.
Immune support. Glycyrrhizin has documented immunomodulatory properties, it helps regulate immune response rather than simply stimulating it, which is particularly relevant for conditions where the immune system is over-reactive. Mulethi has been used in Ayurveda as a rasayana (rejuvenating tonic) for long-term immune resilience.
Practical internal use, doses and preparation
Mulethi tea: Boil 1–2 small pieces of mulethi root in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink once daily. Mild and naturally sweet. Mulethi powder: ¼ to ½ teaspoon in warm water or warm milk once daily. Can be combined with ginger for respiratory use or with Amla powder for digestive and skin benefits. Duration: Short courses of 4–6 weeks are appropriate for most people. Long-term daily use requires medical supervision due to glycyrrhizin's effect on cortisol and blood pressure at higher doses.
Safety, dosage, and who should be careful
Topical use is safe for most people. Mulethi applied to skin or scalp as a powder, paste, or infused oil is well tolerated by most people including sensitive and acne-prone skin types. It is one of the gentler brightening ingredients available. Patch test before first use if you have a known sensitivity to liquorice or related plants.
Internal use requires moderation. Glycyrrhizin, the primary active in mulethi for internal benefits, inhibits an enzyme that regulates cortisol metabolism, leading to elevated cortisol-like effects with prolonged high-dose intake. This can cause elevated blood pressure, fluid retention, and electrolyte imbalances (particularly low potassium) in susceptible individuals. The risk is dose and duration dependent, occasional use at traditional doses (¼ to ½ tsp powder) is safe for most adults.
| Who | Topical use | Internal use |
|---|---|---|
| Most adults | Safe, patch test first | Safe in moderation, short courses, traditional doses |
| Pregnant women | Safe for topical use | Avoid internally, glycyrrhizin may affect fetal development |
| High blood pressure | Safe for topical use | Avoid internally, glycyrrhizin can elevate blood pressure |
| On diuretics or corticosteroids | Safe for topical use | Consult doctor, glycyrrhizin has drug interactions |
Frequently asked questions
The bottom line
Mulethi is one of Ayurveda's most versatile herbs, with documented mechanisms across skin brightening, acne reduction, hair pigmentation preservation, digestive health, and immunity. Its primary active, glabridin, addresses pigmentation in skin and melanin preservation in hair through well-understood biochemical pathways. Applied consistently, topically for skin 2–3 times a week, as part of an overnight hair oil routine for grey hair, and in moderation internally for digestive and immune support, it is an exceptionally well-rounded addition to a daily Ayurvedic routine. The key is consistency and realistic timeline expectations: mulethi works gradually and cumulatively, not rapidly.
