Liquorice may tackle SARS: Nature

Thread starter Ivan Seeking
Start date Jun 13, 2003
Tags

Nature

In summary, SARS is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS coronavirus and is a concern due to its ability to spread easily and cause severe illness. A study published in Nature suggests that compounds in liquorice root may have antiviral properties that can inhibit the replication of the SARS coronavirus. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine if liquorice can be used as a treatment for SARS. It is currently not recommended to use liquorice as a preventive measure against SARS due to lack of evidence. It is also important to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming liquorice for potential SARS treatment, as it may have negative side effects and its effectiveness is still being studied.

Jun 13, 2003

Ivan Seeking

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

Gold Member

http://www.nature.com/nsu/030609/030609-16.html

Biology news on Phys.org

Jun 13, 2003

Monique

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

Gold Member

Cool! I am safe then, having a few kilo's of licorice at home :)

Jun 13, 2003

KLscilevothma

However, liquorice is threatened by extinction.

Jun 14, 2003

Ivan Seeking

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

Gold Member

Originally posted by KL Kam
However, liquorice is threatened by extinction.

This of course is due to the great liquorice wars of recent years. I think that snipe are now considered endangered as a result also.

1. What is SARS and why is it a concern?

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS coronavirus. It first emerged in 2002 in China and quickly spread to other countries, causing a global outbreak. SARS is a concern because it can spread easily from person to person and can lead to severe respiratory illness or even death.

2. How can liquorice potentially tackle SARS?

The study published in Nature suggests that compounds found in liquorice root may have antiviral properties that can inhibit the replication of the SARS coronavirus. This means that liquorice may be able to stop the virus from spreading and causing further harm.

3. Is there any scientific evidence to support this claim?

Yes, the study published in Nature found that certain compounds in liquorice root were able to inhibit the replication of the SARS coronavirus in laboratory experiments. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine if liquorice can be used as a treatment for SARS.

4. Can liquorice be used as a preventive measure against SARS?

There is currently no evidence to suggest that liquorice can prevent SARS. However, the antiviral properties of liquorice may potentially help in reducing the severity of the illness if someone does contract the virus.

5. Is it safe to consume liquorice for potential SARS treatment?

Liquorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizic acid which can have negative side effects when consumed in large amounts. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using liquorice as a potential treatment for SARS. Additionally, more research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of liquorice as a treatment for SARS.