Description
What is it
அதிமதுரம். The name says everything. Athi — very. Mathuram — sweet. This is the root that Tamil grandmothers reached for before any lozenge was invented.
Athimathuram is the dried root of Glycyrrhiza glabra — Licorice — a perennial herb from the Fabaceae family whose roots run deep, both underground and in the medicine traditions of the world. The name Glycyrrhiza comes from the ancient Greek glykos (sweet) and rhiza (root). It has been prescribed, chewed, brewed, and revered for over 4,000 years across Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Siddha medical systems. There is probably no herb on earth with a longer, more consistent track record of use.
In South Indian kitchens, a small piece of Athimathuram root was tucked into the pantry next to the pepper and the dry ginger. When someone’s voice went hoarse after a long day, or a scratchy throat arrived ahead of the season change, a cup of Athimathuram kaadai was the first response — not the pharmacy. That kaadai is what this tisane is.
The Siddha Gunapadam, the classical Siddha pharmacopoeia of Tamil medicine, lists Athimathuram among herbs of the highest therapeutic category — rasayana class — meaning it sustains and restores. Sanskrit texts call it Yashtimadhu (“sweet stick”), and Charaka’s foundational medical compendium, the Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana, Chapter 4), explicitly lists it among the Kanthya mahakashaya — herbs that specifically benefit the throat and voice — as well as among the Jeevaneeya group, herbs that promote vitality and longevity. The shloka from Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 1.3 describes Yashtimadhu as medhya (mind-rejuvenating), balya (strength-giving), and rasayani (rejuvenating).
That is a lot of weight for something that simply tastes like caramel and warmth in your cup.
What Makes This Different
The root, not a facsimile of it. FounditGood Athimathuram Tisane is made from whole, dried Glycyrrhiza glabra root pieces — the part of the plant that carries all the medicinal work. No leaf fillers, no root powder compacted into a bag, no synthetic licorice flavouring.
The roots are sourced from Western India — Gujarat and Rajasthan — where the semi-arid growing conditions concentrate the naturally occurring glycyrrhizin content. They are cleaned, dried, and cut to tea-bag size under GMP-certified, ISO 22000-compliant conditions. The root’s natural sweetness means no added sugar is needed. The cup smells of warm earth and something almost floral. It tastes, on its own, like a cup of quiet.
FSSAI Central Licensed. GMP Compliant. ISO 22000 Certified. No artificial flavours. No added sugar. No preservatives.
What It Does
Athimathuram is one of those herbs where the traditional claims and the modern science are unusually well aligned. The root contains over 300 identified bioactive compounds — including the saponin glycyrrhizin, flavonoids like glabridin and liquiritigenin, and chalcones — all concentrated in the root and rhizome, which is the only part used here.
It soothes the throat and the upper respiratory tract. This is the original use, and the science backs it well. Glycyrrhizin and its metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid — both from the root — have been shown to reduce airway inflammation and support healthy mucus clearance. The root has traditionally been used as an expectorant in both Siddha and Ayurvedic formulations. Charaka classified it specifically as Kanthya — good for the throat — and that is exactly what you feel when you drink it. A warm cup on a scratchy morning is not just comfort; there is mechanism behind the comfort.
It supports the digestive lining. Athimathuram has a long history in the management of stomach discomfort — from Charaka’s prescriptions for amlapitta (hyperacidity) to its inclusion in traditional formulations for gastric complaints. The root flavonoids have been shown to support gastric mucosa integrity. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial — one of the earliest of its kind with a licorice root extract — participants taking a standardised Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract reported significant improvements in upper abdominal fullness and epigastric discomfort compared to placebo (Raveendra et al., 2012, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine). A more recent Phase III RCT (Raj et al., 2025, Complement Med Res) showed significant improvement in gastroesophageal reflux-related symptoms. As a traditional tea at normal brewing strength, this is gentle digestive support — not a clinical extract. But the root’s mucoprotective action is well-documented.
It brings antioxidant and calming anti-inflammatory support. The root of Glycyrrhiza glabra is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids that neutralise free radicals and modulate inflammatory pathways. A 2022 PMC review (Bisht et al., Phytomedicine Plus) summarising pre-clinical and clinical research noted that glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid inhibit a range of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2. This is not sedative or analgesic action — it is the background quieting of a system that is running a little hot. It is why Siddha texts classify Athimathuram as cooling (seetha veerya) in nature.
The unexpected angle — skin brightness from within. This is the one your paati probably did not explain, but the science is genuinely interesting. The root flavonoid glabridin — found specifically in Glycyrrhiza glabra root — has been studied as one of the most effective natural inhibitors of tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production. Multiple laboratory studies have shown that glabridin suppresses melanin synthesis at very low concentrations, working through the CRTC1/MITF pathway (Jiang et al., 2025, Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Yokota et al., 1998, Pigment Cell Research). It is important to note that these studies are primarily in vitro and animal models, and concentrated root extracts are typically used for topical skin applications. A brewed tisane is not a skincare product. But Athimathuram’s status in traditional beauty preparations — listed among the Varnya group (complexion-supporting herbs) in Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 4/10 — is not incidental. Something in this root has been appreciated for the glow it brings since well before anyone discovered glabridin.
Who Should Be Careful
Athimathuram is a deeply beneficial herb. It is also a potent one, and the root contains glycyrrhizin — which, consumed in excess or over long periods, has documented effects on blood pressure and electrolyte balance.
One or two cups a day of brewed tisane contains a fraction of the glycyrrhizin found in concentrated extracts or confectionery-grade licorice. But this is an honest herb, and it deserves an honest label.
Disclaimer
FounditGood Athimathuram Tisane is a food product and a traditional herbal preparation. It is not a medicine, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
The information on this page is for educational and cultural context only — it draws on traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic knowledge systems and published research. It does not constitute medical advice.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not consume this product. Individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, oedema, or low potassium levels should consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Those taking prescribed medications — particularly corticosteroids, diuretics, antihypertensives, or anticoagulants — should seek medical advice before adding licorice root preparations to their routine. This product is not suitable for children under 12.
If you have a medical condition or are under medical supervision, please consult your doctor before use.
References
Ancient Texts
- Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 4, Verse 10 (Kanthya mahakashaya — group of herbs beneficial for the throat and voice; Yashtimadhu listed as lead herb)
- Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 1.3 — Yashtimadhu described as medhya (mind-rejuvenating), balya (strengthening), and rasayani (rejuvenating); included among the four primary Medhya Rasayanas
- Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 4 — Varnya mahakashaya: Yashtimadhu listed among herbs supporting skin complexion and clarity
- Siddha Gunapadam (Tamil Materia Medica) — Athimathuram classified under rasayana category; root documented for respiratory, voice, and digestive support
Modern Research
- Raveendra KR, Jayachandra, Srinivasa V, et al. “An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;2012:216970. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123991/ (Note: This is a clinical trial using a standardised, low-glycyrrhizin root extract — GutGard® — not a generic brewed tea. Results specific to that formulation and dose.)
- Raj JP, Saxena U, Belhekar MN, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of GutGard® in Managing Gastroesophageal Reflux-Related Symptoms: A Phase III, Single-Centre, Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Complement Med Res. 2025;32:26–36. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11892464/ (Note: Phase III RCT using deglycyrrhizinated licorice root extract.)
- Bisht D, et al. “Revisiting liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as anti-inflammatory, antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential pharmacological applications with mechanistic insight.” Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(1):100206. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8683220/ (Note: Review of pre-clinical and clinical studies on root-derived glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid.)
- El-Saber Batiha G, et al. “Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae).” Biomolecules. 2020;10(3):352. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7175350/ (Comprehensive review of root-specific phytoconstituents.)
- Jiang X, et al. “Glycyrrhiza glabra extract as a skin-whitening agent: Identification of active components and CRTC1/MITF pathway-inhibition mechanism.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2025. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40350048/ (In vitro and in vivo study — root extract, not brewed tea. Identifies glabridin as the primary melanin-inhibiting compound.)
- Yokota T, Nishio H, Kubota Y, Mizoguchi M. “The inhibitory effect of glabridin from licorice extracts on melanogenesis and inflammation.” Pigment Cell Research. 1998;11(6):355–361. (Classic study on glabridin’s melanogenesis-inhibiting properties; conducted on guinea pig skin and cultured melanoma cells — pre-clinical data only.)
- Penninkilampi R, Eslick EM, Eslick GD. “The association between consistent licorice ingestion, hypertension and hypokalaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Human Hypertension. 2017;31(11):699–707. (Safety reference: documents glycyrrhizin’s cardiovascular and electrolyte effects with regular use.)
- NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). “Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety.” Updated 2023. URL: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root (Used as reference for pregnancy and medication contraindication guidance in this listing.)
