"Of all the compounds, glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus."
So, I guess take some potassium with black licorice and you'll defeat COVID-19!
It's a potassium-sparing diuretic that was originally developed as a blood pressure drug. Since hyperkalemia is a potential side effect of spiro, licorice consumption can mitigate that. And as for why you should only take it if you're a woman... well, I guess men can take it, but they wouldn't like the fact that it suppresses your testosterone into the ground.