Licorice and glycyrrhizin

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), or Sweet Root, has been used in both Eastern and Western medicine to treat a variety of illnesses.  It has also been used as a sweetener as it is about 50 times sweeter than sugar.

Studies on glycyrrhizin have shown it to be superior to common drugs in treating such deadly infections as SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and other lethal viruses as well as influenza.  A group of German researchers found, "We assessed the antiviral potential of the pharmaceutical drugs ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin, mycophenolic acid, and the natural substance glycyrrhizin against two clinical isolates of coronavirus (FFM-1 and FFM-2) from patients with SARS admitted to the clinical centre of Frankfurt University, Germany. Of all the compounds, glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus. Source Info.

Though your highly educated physician is not likely to know anything about it, glycyrrhizin is one of the most potent antiviral compounds ever studied.  Why don't they have a clue?  It's a naturally occuring substance and is not patentable (no money), so it does not have the backing of BigPharma.

Another study suggests it may be effective for burn victums who are at high risk of getting antibiotic resistant infections (Pseudomonas aeruginosa).  The study mentioned that it could have implications for people with cystic fibrosis, who can develop Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in their lungs.

Caution: If you are already on a bunch of meds, or have certain conditions, don't take licorice or glycyrrhizin without consulting a knowlegeable naturopath who is familiar with its use and potential side effects.

More later?