Mulethi Powder – Benefits, Uses, and Side-Effects
Mulethi is also known as licorice or liquorice which is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from where a sweet flavor is extracted. The powder of licorice plant has been used as a herbal supplement in medical conditions. This plant is generally found in the Middle East, Southern Europe, and some parts of Asia such as India. Mulethi or Licorice is mainly used as a flavoring agent in sweets and candies. Apart from this, it is also used in folk and medical supplements. Excessive consumption of licorice or liquorice may result in adverse effects such as hypokalemia, increased blood pressure and muscle weakness.
Mulethi powder has several types of benefits and side-effects too. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and side-effects of Mulethi powder and how to use it as a medical supplement.
Benefits of Mulethi Powder
Helps in better digestion
Mulethi powder is beneficial in curing digestive problems like inflammation, ulcers in the stomach, acidity, food poisoning, and constipation. Mulethi powder is a good laxative agent that regulates bowel movements. Due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, Mulethi powder helps in reducing inflammation in the stomach.
Mulethi powder has glycyrrhizic acid which helps in suppressing the toxic bacteria and prevents it from growing in the gut.
Helps in improving respiratory system
Mulethi powder can help treat common respiratory problems like asthma, cough, sore throat, etc. Mulethi powder has anti-oxidant properties which help in reducing inflammation in the bronchial tubes. When Mulethi powder is consumed, it helps in producing healthy mucus. It also loosens the mucus inside our airways which eases our coughing. As Mulethi powder has anti-microbial properties, it, therefore, helps in removing microbes that are responsible for respiratory problems.
Helps in improving oral health
The anti-microbial properties of Mulethi powder can reduce the growth of bacteria which causes cavity, bad breath, plaque, and other dental problems. Mulethi powder can be used to brush the teeth and mouthwash. Gels which consists of licorice are also recommended for treating eczema.
Helps in reducing stress
Stress is something that everyone suffers at least once in a lifetime. Stress can cause depression, muscle stiffness, and sleeping disorders. Stress also leaves the adrenal gland exhausted by constantly producing adrenaline. Mulethi powder can give the adrenaline gland some relief. Hence, it helps in stimulating our brain. Mulethi powder not only helps in removing stress but also improves the brain memory. But one must consult his/her doctor before using Mulethi powder for stress release.
Helps in cancer treatment
Mulethi powder helps in the treatment of cancer as Mulethi powder helps in mucosa healing. Mulethi powder has shown positive results in curing cancer sores. Chewing the Mulethi herb can fight the virus in our body and help to strengthen our immune system to a certain extent.
Helps in reducing weight
Obesity is a serious condition in which people have more weight than required. Anyone whose Body Mass Index is more than 30kg/m2 can be considered as obese. Mulethi helps in reducing excessive fat cells accumulated in the body. People who consume Mulethi has reduced their body mass index. However, any person who is obese should avoid consuming Mulethi candies as it contains a high amount of sugar too.
Helps in improving the immune system
Mulethi is used to improve the immune system of our body because it helps in the production of lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are responsible for engulfing bacteria which invades our body. This improvement in our immune system helps in boosting the defense mechanism of our body and also prevents any kind of immune-related allergies.
Helps in protecting the liver
Mulethi helps to treat disorders that are related to our liver like liver damage, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, jaundice and many m8iore. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Mulethi helps to soothe the liver during hepatitis. If we mix Mulethi in a cup of warm tea twice a day for a couple of weeks, it can purify the liver and make it immune to diseases.
Helps in preventing hair fall and premature graying of hairs
Mulethi is very beneficial in boosting hair growth and thus prevents hair fall. According to reports, vitiation in PITTA and VATA humor results in falling of hairs and premature graying of hairs. Mulethi also helps in preventing the premature graying of hairs.
Helps in preventing muscle cramps
Mulethi has antispasmodic and muscle relaxant characteristics. It helps in reducing muscle cramps and tenderness. Its effects have mainly noticed in the abdominal spasm that occurs during menstruation in women.
Helps in curing osteoarthritis
In Ayurveda, Mulethi is used with Ashwagandha for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Many ayurvedic treatments consist of Ashwagandha as an important ingredient.
Helps in reducing potassium levels
Some reports suggest that there are some compounds present in Mulethi which helps in reducing the level of potassium in our body. Hence, Mulethi is effective in the case of high serum potassium in people with kidney diseases and diabetes.
The main recommendation is that you should not use mulethi if you have low potassium levels and high sodium levels because it may cause severe myopathy due to hypokalemia.
Side-Effects of Mulethi Powder
Though Mulethi powder is helping in several kinds of medical supplements, it also has some side-effects which can have an adverse effect on your body.
A few side effects of Mulethi Powder are given below:
- High Blood Pressure
- Low potassium in the blood
- High sodium levels
- Bloating
- Fluid Retention
These effects are rare and occur if it is consumed with milk. Side-effects generally occur if it is taken regularly.In some cases, Mulethi can also increase your blood pressure. Glycyrrhetinic acid present in Mulethi can result in a lower potassium level in the blood receptors.
When the consumption of Mulethi is lowered, then the side-effects are reported to disappear within three weeks and the blood pressure gets back to normal.
In Ayurveda, Mulethi is recommended during pregnancy but modern science recommends not to use Mulethi during pregnancy. According to modern science, a high dosage of Mulethi is unsafe during pregnancy.
Reports have suggested that heavy use of Mulethi can cause preterm delivery. Another report suggested that the heavy dosage of Mulethi may not have any effect on maternal blood pressure and birth weight of babies but it may affect the gestational age and result in early delivery.
Maternal consumption of Mulethi powder can affect the performance of children in later life. It can also result due to glycyrrhiza and glucocorticoids. Hence, it is recommended to avoid Mulethi powder during pregnancy. Mulethi consumption during breastfeeding should also be avoided.
Here are some of the problems which if anyone is suffering from should avoid the consumption of Mulethi:
- Hypertension Encephalopathy
- Loss of Libido
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Kidney Diseases
- Hypertonia
- Fluid Retention
In some cases, Mulethi may interact with drugs be reducing the concentration of these drugs. Mulethi can also affect blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
Mulethi has several health benefits and has been used for many years in medical supplements. But with health benefits, it also posses some side-effects which can have an adverse effect on the body.
Before consuming Mulethi, consult with your doctor.
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