About Licorice Ghee

Experience the rich heritage of Ayurveda in each jar of our Licorice Ghee.

For thousands of years, Licorice Root — known in Sanskrit as Yashtimadhu, meaning "honey-like wood" — has held a place of rare distinction in classical Ayurvedic medicine. It is one of four core herbs in the entire Ayurvedic canon designated as a Medhya Rasayana: a specific class of rejuvenative herbs honored not only for their broad nourishing and restorative properties, but for their particular affinity for the mind, the nervous system, and long-term cognitive vitality. That it is also one of Ayurveda's most beloved herbs for the throat and respiratory system — sweet, soothing, and deeply cooling — is part of what makes this a uniquely versatile formulation.

Handcrafted in small batches in the USA, this formulation begins with premium grass-fed cultured butter gently infused with organic Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) — producing a warm golden ghee flecked with the amber tones of the herb itself. While licorice root ghee is rare as a dedicated formulation in the current market, this is a preparation our family has used in practice for generations — rooted in classical tradition and brought forward with the same care that guides everything we make.

Minimally processed for integrity, our Licorice Ghee contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or stabilizers. It is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, lactose-free, casein-free, and suitable for keto and paleo lifestyles.*

More than a substitute for regular butter or oil, this is a deeply nourishing kitchen staple shaped by heritage, craftsmanship, and Ayurvedic intelligence — crafted to bring deep flavor, richness, and purpose to every spoonful.

Flavor Profile

Warmly sweet, smooth, and gently aromatic — with the characteristic mild anise-like sweetness of licorice root softened into something subtler and more rounded by the richness of cultured ghee. It carries a faintly earthy, woody undertone with a clean, lingering finish that feels inherently soothing. Neither sharp nor overpowering, it moves comfortably between sweet and savory — as welcome stirred into warm milk or morning grains as it is finishing roasted root vegetables, braised greens, or a simple pot of lentils.

Sweet by nature, soothing by tradition — a gentle presence in every meal.

Beneficial Ingredients & Qualities

Every ingredient in this formulation was chosen with intention: for its quality, its traditional significance, and the role it plays in making this more than just a cooking ingredient. Here is what goes into every jar, and why it matters.

Grass-Fed Cultured Butter: 

The foundation of every ghee — chosen for its quality, its character, and its deep roots in traditional Ayurveda.

• Cultured and fermented for superior digestibility: Unlike conventional butter, cultured butter is made from cream that has been fermented before churning — a process that breaks down heavier compounds and makes the resulting ghee easier to digest and absorb. In Ayurveda, this fermented base is considered essential: classical texts specify that ghee made from cultured dairy is better suited to serve as a carrier (yogavahi) — meaning it actively helps transport the therapeutic properties of herbs deeper into the body's tissues. This is what makes herbal ghee meaningfully different from plain ghee or infused oils.

• Rich in nourishing fats and fat-soluble vitamins: Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, this butter delivers a robust nutritional profile — including healthy saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), along with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which support everything from immune function to bone health to skin vitality.

• High smoke point — versatile for everyday cooking: With a smoke point of 485°F, ghee remains stable at high heat without breaking down or producing harmful compounds — making it a cleaner, more versatile alternative to most cooking oils and conventional butter for sautéing, roasting, frying, and baking.

• Naturally shelf-stable and virtually free of lactose and casein: The clarification process removes water and milk solids, leaving behind pure butterfat that is naturally shelf-stable at room temperature and contains almost no lactose or casein — making it a widely well-tolerated option even for those with dairy sensitivity.

• A natural source of butyrate: Ghee is one of the richest dietary sources of butyrate — a short-chain fatty acid that research has linked to gut lining integrity, reduced intestinal inflammation, and a healthy immune response in the digestive tract.

Organic Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra):

Known in Sanskrit as Yashtimadhu — "honey-like wood" — licorice root is one of Ayurveda's most revered and versatile herbs: a sweet, cooling rejuvenative with thousands of years of classical use and a distinct place in both the healing tradition and the kitchen.

• Respiratory support — the primary traditional use: Licorice is a natural expectorant and a traditional remedy for cough, sore throat, and hoarseness — known in classical Ayurveda as Svarya, meaning it supports the voice and soothes the respiratory passages. Its sweet (madhura) and unctuous (snigdha) qualities are traditionally understood to moisten dry or irritated tissues throughout the respiratory tract, easing tension and calming inflammation from within.

Clinical and experimental research has explored licorice's anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, with studies suggesting benefits for respiratory wellness including cough, mild bronchial irritation, and throat comfort. In Ayurveda, the ghee base amplifies this action — ghee's own demulcent and lubricating qualities working in harmony with licorice's soothing nature to carry the herb's support deep into the respiratory channels.

• Brain and nervous system support — Medhya Rasayana: Licorice holds a rare and specific designation in classical Ayurvedic medicine: it is one of four core herbs classified as a Medhya Rasayana — a category of rejuvenative herbs with a particular affinity for the brain, cognitive function, memory, intellect, and mental clarity. It is traditionally used to combat mental fatigue, support clarity under stress, and nourish the nervous system over time.

Modern research reflects this classical understanding: Licorice flavonoids have been studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in neural tissue, and its key compound glycyrrhizin has been shown to interact with cellular pathways that reduce inflammatory signaling — actions that Ayurvedic texts correlate with rejuvenative properties of nourishing the tissues and promoting resilience.

• Digestive comfort and gut support: Licorice root has been used in Ayurveda for respiratory and digestive disorders since classical times — specifically for chronic acidity, gastric discomfort, and ulcer support, with research showing licorice activates ulcer healing through its demulcent and cytoprotective properties. Its cooling nature is traditionally understood to pacify Pitta in the digestive tract — calming excess heat, soothing the stomach lining, and supporting comfortable digestion. This quality is particularly well-matched to a ghee base, which shares many of the same cooling and digestive-supportive properties, making the two classical companions in Ayurvedic gut support formulas.

• Whole-body rejuvenation — Rasayana action: In Ayurveda, licorice is classified as an anti-aging Rasayana with rejuvenative effects on a wide variety of organs and systems — including the brain, nerves, eyes, and liver. As a Rasayana, it is understood to work at the level of the dhatus — the body's seven tissue layers — progressively restoring and protecting what depletion, stress, and time have drawn out. It is also traditionally understood to increase strength and immunity, and to support vitality during times of exhaustion, weakness, or recovery.

Modern research supports these broad restorative properties: the Glycyrrhiza plant genus has been extensively studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and immune-modulating activities.

• Skin support and antioxidant protection: Licorice contains glabridin — an isoflavan compound studied for its skin-supporting and UV-protective effects, along with liquiritin, a flavonoid glycoside with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in cell studies. In Ayurvedic tradition, licorice's cooling, Pitta-reducing quality translates naturally to skin support — calming heat-related skin imbalances and supporting a clear, even complexion from within. Its antioxidant compounds help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress at the cellular level.

• Hormonal and adrenal support: Licorice contains phytoestrogens — plant-based compounds traditionally understood to support hormonal balance, particularly in women navigating hormonal fluctuations. It is also one of Ayurveda's classical herbs for adrenal support — its adaptogenic properties traditionally prescribed to help the body moderate its response to prolonged stress and rebuild resilience after depletion.

Research suggests its primary active compound, glycyrrhizin, influences cortisol metabolism — supporting the adrenal system's capacity to regulate the body's stress response over time.

Ayurvedic Tradition

Yashtimadhu — Licorice Root — occupies a singular place in the classical Ayurvedic tradition. It is referenced in the Charaka Samhita under multiple chapters, and in the Sushruta Samhita for its use in healing formulations. Its most distinctive classical designation, however, is its inclusion among the four Medhya Rasayanas — a rare category of herbs considered not merely beneficial, but foundational to the health of the mind, the senses, and the deeper intelligence of the nervous system.

In Ayurvedic pharmacology, Yashtimadhu is understood as madhura (sweet) in both taste (rasa) and post-digestive effect (vipaka), with a cooling potency (shita virya) — a profile that makes it one of Ayurveda's most effective herbs for calming excess Pitta and restoring moisture and nourishment to depleted Vata tissues. Its Sanskrit name translates literally as "honey-like wood" — a name that speaks both to its remarkable natural sweetness and to its deeply nourishing, lubricating quality throughout the body.

Classical texts describe licorice as Balya — meaning it increases strength and supports immunity — and as Svarya, honoring its specific affinity for the voice and throat. During the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE), it featured prominently in Rasayana formulations for youthfulness and vitality — a testament to how deeply embedded this herb is in the classical tradition of longevity medicine.

In its pairing with cultured ghee, Licorice Root's properties are classically amplified. Classical Ayurvedic texts describe the combination of Licorice with milk and ghee as a double Rasayana — the herb's rejuvenative properties carried and deepened by the nourishing, tissue-penetrating action of the fat medium. Ghee's role as a yogavahi — a carrier that transports and amplifies the action of whatever herb it carries — makes it the ideal vehicle for Licorice Root's broad and gentle influence throughout the body. This is not a modern pairing. It is one of Ayurveda's most time-honored combinations, brought forward here as a dedicated kitchen formulation — one that remains exceptionally rare in the modern market.

The traditional applications referenced here are drawn from classical Ayurvedic texts including the Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam. Scientific references are available on our Research & Sources page. → View Sources

What Sets Us Apart

We don’t just make products — we preserve a legacy.

Every aspect of what we do reflects our commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, intention, integrity, and Ayurvedic tradition. 

• We use cultured butter — most don’t.
  Made from traditionally fermented cream, cultured butter enhances both flavor and digestibility — giving a smoother texture and richer, more complex character than versions made with sweet cream or mass-produced alternatives.
  

From an Ayurvedic standpoint, this choice is deeply rooted in tradition. Classical preparation of ghee begins with cultured dairy because fermentation transforms the heavier, cooler qualities of cream into something more refined and bioavailable — making ghee better suited to serve as a yogavahi/anupana: a carrier that amplifies and transports the therapeutic properties of herbs into the body's deeper tissues, or dhatus. This is what makes herbal ghee so much more than the sum of its ingredients.

The butter we use begins on small farms where cows graze freely and live with dignity. We support partners who uphold high standards for animal well-being — from humane treatment to the ability to express natural behaviors. This respect for life honors both the integrity of our ingredients and the spirit of Ayurveda itself.

It's a difference you can taste — and feel.

• Certified organic botanicals, chosen for potency and purity.
  Every herbal ingredient is USDA certified organic, sustainably sourced, and carefully selected to preserve its natural vitality. We use whole herbs — never extracts or flavor oils — and gently infuse them, following traditional methods that respect their energetic and therapeutic properties.
  

• Every botanical is rigorously tested.
  Each herb is verified not just for its traditional value, but for its purity. Our trusted partners uphold rigorous safety standards, and every botanical undergoes third-party testing against strict thresholds for pesticides, microbes, and heavy metals.
  

• Handcrafted in small batches.
  We prepare each blend by hand in small batches, with the time and attention that allows us to maintain the highest standards of freshness, consistency, and care at every step of the process.
  
  Our herbal ghee alone takes the better part of a full day: from the slow clarification to the careful herbal infusion that brings each batch to its ideal color, clarity, and aroma. That kind of time investment is increasingly rare — but for us, it is essential. Because when a product is made to nourish deeply, every step matters.
  

• Rooted in Lineage.
  Our formulas draw directly from a family tradition of Ayurvedic practice spanning more than 200 years — including generations of classically trained physicians, educators, and healers. This is not Ayurveda as aesthetic or trend. It is Ayurveda as inheritance: carried forward through family, discipline, and devotion — and handcrafted with that same care since 1896. Every jar reflects that depth.

Recommended Use

Use Licorice Ghee as a substitute for butter or oil in cooking, baking, or as a spread. Its naturally sweet, warming character makes it particularly well-suited to morning preparations — stirred into warm milk, golden milk, granola, or oatmeal — as well as to spiced dishes, roasted root vegetables, braised greens, lentils, and grain bowls. It can also be enjoyed simply spread on warm bread or flatbread, where its gentle sweetness comes forward most clearly. Best enjoyed as part of a mindful, nourishing diet — the way it was always meant to be.

Crafted with no artificial ingredients or preservatives, our product is minimally processed for purity. Due to the lack of additive stabilizers, natural separation may occur.

Please stir thoroughly before use.

Store at room temperature. Keep moisture out to preserve freshness. Always use a clean, dry utensil for each use.

Additional Notes & Disclaimers

• Crafted in small batches in the USA for quality and freshness.

• Gluten-free, nut-free, lactose-free, casein-free, keto- & paleo-friendly.*

• Rooted in a family tradition of Ayurvedic practice spanning more than 200 years — carried forward since 1896.

*Allergen advisory: Made in a shared facility with strict cross-contact controls. Despite rigorous precautions, trace amounts may exist.

Precautions:

Licorice root has a centuries-long history of safe traditional use as a food and medicinal herb. As with any herb, moderation and context matter — the cautions below are relevant primarily for those with specific health conditions or taking certain medications. Those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease, as well as those taking diuretics, blood pressure medications, or corticosteroids, should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use, as licorice's active compounds may affect blood pressure and potassium levels. Those who are pregnant should also consult a practitioner before use.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any underlying health conditions, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before adding this product — or any herbal product — to your diet.