Glycyrrhiza glabra

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yasthi-madhu in Sanskrit and Liquorice in English).

glabra roots contain potential phyto-molecules which can stimulate hair growth. Glycyrrhiza glabra is a plant used in traditional medicine across the world for its ethno-pharmacological value. It is found to contain important phytoconstituents such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid, glabrin A and B and isoflavones. It is effectively used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-oxidant as well as skin whitening agent.

Liquorice has a significant hair growth activity and it can be safely used in herbal formulations in treatment of various types of Alopecia.

The extract of Liquorice is reported to be an effective pigment lightening agent. It is the safest pigment-lightening agent known with least side effects. Glabridin in the hydrophobic fraction of liquorice-extract inhibits tyrosinase activity. Some other active compounds in liquorice-extract like glabrene, Licochalcone A, Isoliquiritin are also responsible for inhibition of tyrosinase activity. Liquiritin present in liquorice-extract disperse melanin, thereby inducing skin lightening.