Ask any Gujarati grandmother what to keep in the kitchen drawer for the winter, and a small bundle of brown sticks will be on the list: jethimadh. A thin piece is chewed slowly when the throat feels scratchy, a bit goes into the evening kadha, and singers in the family often keep one in their pocket. It is one of the simplest and most loved herbs in Indian homes.

What Is Jethimadh?

Jethimadh is the dried root and underground stem (stolon) of the licorice plant. The sticks are woody, fibrous, yellowish inside and brown outside, and they taste distinctly sweet. The sweetness comes mainly from glycyrrhizin, a natural compound many times sweeter than sugar.

So when someone searches for "jethimadh in English", the answer is simply licorice root. For other herb names, see our Gujarati–English herb names glossary.

The Jethimadh Plant

Licorice is a perennial herb that grows about one to one and a half metres tall, with feathery compound leaves and small pale blue-violet flowers. The useful part lies underground: long, spreading roots and runners. Most commercial licorice in India is imported from West and Central Asia and the Mediterranean region, although it is also grown in parts of North India.

How Ayurveda Describes Yashtimadhu

Classical texts describe Yashtimadhu as kanthya (good for the throat and voice), varnya (good for complexion), keshya (good for hair) and a rasayana. Charaka includes it in several groups, including the Kanthya and Jivaniya groups. This is why it appears in so many household throat-care traditions.

How the Jethimadh Stick Is Used in Daily Routine

1. Chewing a small piece

This is the most familiar use. Wash the stick, break or cut off a thin sliver about 1–2 cm long, and chew it slowly, letting the sweet juice coat the throat. Spit out the fibre once the taste fades. Many teachers, singers and people who speak a lot during the day use it this way.

2. In kadha

Crush a 2–3 cm piece of stick and boil it in two cups of water with a few tulsi leaves and a slice of ginger until about half remains. Strain and sip warm. This is a common seasonal drink in Gujarati homes when the weather changes.

3. In warm milk

A small crushed piece, or a pinch of Yashtimadhu powder, can be simmered in milk and taken at night. Its sweet, cooling nature suits Pitta-dominant people and the autumn season — see our Sharad Ritucharya guide.

4. As a gargle

Boil a piece of jethimadh in water, let it cool until warm, and use it as a gargle. This is a simple traditional practice for throat comfort.

Stick, Powder or Tablet: Which Form?

How to Choose a Good Jethimadh Stick

• The cut surface should be yellowish and fibrous, with a clearly sweet taste.
• The outer bark should be brown and dry, without white or green fungal patches.
• Avoid sticks that smell musty, feel damp, or taste bitter or bland.
• Store in an airtight jar in a dry place, away from moisture.

Things to Keep in Mind

Jethimadh is a household herb, but it is not something to use in large amounts every day for months.

• Blood pressure: glycyrrhizin in licorice, taken in large amounts or for long periods, can raise blood pressure, cause water retention and lower potassium. People with high blood pressure should ask their doctor before using it regularly.
• Heart and kidney concerns: consult your doctor first.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid regular use unless your doctor advises it.
• Medicines: if you take diuretics, steroids or heart medicines, speak to your doctor before using licorice.
• Children: only small amounts, and with guidance.
• Short periods: chewing a small piece now and then is traditional; long-term daily use should be discussed with a vaidya.
• Persistent symptoms: a throat problem that lasts more than a few days needs a doctor's check-up.

How Riddhish Herbals Helps You Choose Better

Jethimadh sticks are one of our most-bought single herbs. Since 2015, Riddhish Herbals has supplied genuine sticks, akha pieces, powder and classical tablets to families across Gujarat and India, with a bill on every order and doctor-guided selection. We carry 4,000+ products from 130+ trusted brands, so you can pick the right form rather than just the nearest one.

રીધ્ધીશ હર્બલ્સ — ગુજરાતનો વિશ્વાસપાત્ર આયુર્વેદિક સ્ટોર, જ્યાં સાચી સલાહ અને genuine Ayurvedic products એક જ જગ્યાએ મળે છે.

FAQs

What is a jethimadh stick?

A jethimadh stick is a dried piece of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). It tastes naturally sweet and is traditionally chewed, boiled in kadha or simmered in milk.

What is jethimadh called in English?

Jethimadh is called licorice (or liquorice) root in English. In Hindi it is Mulethi, and in Sanskrit it is Yashtimadhu.

How do you use a jethimadh stick?

Cut a thin sliver of 1–2 cm, chew it slowly and spit out the fibre once the taste fades. You can also crush a small piece and boil it in kadha, milk or water for a gargle.

Is jethimadh used for cough?

Jethimadh is traditionally used to soothe the throat, and many families chew a small piece or add it to kadha during seasonal changes. If a cough is persistent, severe or comes with fever, see a doctor.

Can I chew jethimadh daily?

Chewing a small piece occasionally is a common household practice. Daily use over long periods is not advised without a vaidya's guidance, because large amounts of licorice can affect blood pressure and potassium.

Why is jethimadh sweet?

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a natural compound many times sweeter than sugar. That is also why its Sanskrit name, Yashtimadhu, means "sweet stick".

Who should avoid jethimadh?

People with high blood pressure, heart or kidney concerns, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on diuretics, steroids or heart medicines should consult a doctor before using licorice.

What is the difference between jethimadh stick and powder?

The stick is the whole dried root, good for chewing, kadha and gargles, and easy to check for quality. The powder is ground root, convenient for milk, honey mixes and face packs.

मुलेठी की लकड़ी कैसे इस्तेमाल करें?

मुलेठी की 1–2 सेमी की पतली डंडी धीरे-धीरे चबाएँ और स्वाद खत्म होने पर रेशा थूक दें। इसे कूटकर तुलसी-अदरक के काढ़े या दूध में उबालकर भी लिया जाता है। लंबे समय तक रोज़ लेने से पहले वैद्य से सलाह लें।

જેઠીમધની લાકડીનો ઉપયોગ કેવી રીતે કરવો?

જેઠીમધની 1–2 સેમીની પાતળી ચીર ધીમે ધીમે ચાવો અને સ્વાદ પૂરો થાય એટલે રેસા થૂંકી દો. તેને ખાંડીને તુલસી-આદુના ઉકાળામાં કે દૂધમાં પણ ઉકાળી શકાય. લાંબા સમય સુધી રોજ લેતા પહેલાં વૈદ્યની સલાહ લેવી.

Final Takeaway

The jethimadh stick is a small, sweet piece of Ayurvedic tradition: chewed for the throat, boiled into kadha, simmered in milk. Use a little at a time, choose clean yellow sticks, and keep it occasional rather than constant. If you have blood pressure, heart or kidney concerns, or you are pregnant, ask your doctor first.

References

• Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 4 — Shadvirechanashatashritiya Adhyaya (Kanthya and Jivaniya groups).
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Haritakyadi Varga (Yashtimadhu).
• The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Yashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra) monograph.