Licorice Effects on Covid-19
Covid-19
Licorice (or liquorice) is a wild plant which grows in Europe, Asia and Africa. The technical name of licorice is Glycyrrhiza Glabra. Licorice is an old herb which has been used since before. Licorice has been widely used in herbalism and traditional medicine for thousand years.
This article looks into licorice effects on Covid-19.
Covid-19
Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. In 2019 the first cases of this disease were identified in China. It turned into a pandemic affecting people around the world. This virus attacks our respiratory system. Its common symptoms are cough, fatigue, fever, headache, loss of taste and smell, problems in breathing. The severity of symptoms in people is different. Symptoms are mostly mild or moderate, but they become critical in some cases which lead to serious disorders in respiratory system and dysfunction in some organs. Corona virus is transmitted very easily; because of that, it has spread rapidly around the world. The virus is transmitted through airborne particles. If we breathe in contaminated air, the virus enters our body. It also enters the body through nose, mouth, eyes and in few cases, through surfaces. The symptoms in people suffering from heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, cancer may get severe.
Licorice Effects on Covid-19
A few studies show that Glycyrrhizic, Asiatic and Oleanolic acids in licorice root slow the progress of bronchitis. Licorice root has been widely used to treat bronchial asthma for many years.
There are different kinds of bacterial and viral infections. One research has shown that licorice root at least has two elements having antiviral effects called: GL and GA. They weaken virus activities like virus gene and its replication. Glycyrrhizin in licorice binds to viral fusion proteins and inhibits the virus entrance to host cells. This plant also contains flavonoids that treat bacterial infections.
Glabridin, another component of licorice root is anti-fungal. This element slows down the growth of bacteria and virus.
Using licorice lozenges may soothe inflammation in throat. Licorice in the form of tea, lozenge, spray is very common to soothe sore throat.
Licorice root has been widely used to treat bronchial asthma for many years. One study on mice showed that glycyrrhizin can improve all established chronic histopathologic changes of lung.
Airway inflammation is a common problem in respiratory related diseases such as asthma. Licorice has some anti-inflammatory compounds that are helpful in treatment of these sicknesses.
Licorice defends our cardiovascular and lungs against viral inflammation. It inhibits DNA and RNA virus. It has this ability to destroy senescent cells since it is anti-aging. The main reason of cytokine storm in obese or elderly people suffering from Covid-19, is gathering of senescent cells. It leads to severe Corona or death. Previously in traditional Chinese medicine, it was proven that licorice is effective in improvement of SARS-COV.
Licorice intake in these patients reduced the replication of SARS virus. Furthermore, it is shown that licorice extract has antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus in human.
Flavonoids, triterpenoids, and saponins in licorice are anti-viral. It is also proven that glycyrrhizin can inhibit H1N1 and H5N1 influenza through disrupting virus attachment to the cells.
Warning
Since corona disease is a new pandemic (the first cases were found in 2019), many more researches need to be done about that. About licorice effects on Corona virus, there are a few studies. As a result, using licorice may be effective in the improvement of corona symptoms, but it isn’t a definitive cure for that. To make sure, more academic surveys should be conducted.
Provided by: Sepidan Osareh Jonoob Co.
Editor: Meysam Shokripour
References : iranlicorice.com
