Sarsaparilla

Species Name: smilax regelii.

Also Known As: salsaparrilha, khao yen, saparna, smilace, smilax, zarzaparilla, jupicanga.

Sarsaparilla is an interesting herb that has several different uses. Depending on where you live, you may have even heard of it being used in a common beverage. In addition to flavoring beverages, it is often used in homeopathic medicine to treat different conditions.

What is Sarsaparilla? Sarsaparilla is a vine that grows roots that have many helpful uses such as in herbal medicine. The vines of the sarsaparilla plant have long, prickly stems and shiny leaves. The roots are reddish-brown in color and can grow up to 3m long. There are several different species of this plant available but there are certain species that are more commonly used in commercial use.

Sarsaparilla is grows in Mexico, Central America and parts of South America. It is also grown in parts of South India. The Tamil name for Sarsaparilla is Nannaari. It is used mainly for the flavoring of beverages and homeopathic medicine. For use, the roots have to be dried and boiled to get an extract from them. Before this treatment, they are bitter and sticky and contain no odor.

Home Remedies using Sarsaparilla:

Benefits of Sarsaparilla:

As mentioned, there are some benefits of using the herb Sarsaparilla. It is commonly used as a flavoring, often in beverages such as root beer. But it also has some medicinal uses that should be noted. Sarsaparilla root contains many needed nutrients such as sulfur, iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Sarsaparilla has been known to be very useful as a tonic, alternative, diaphoretic and diuretic. It is used to treat asthma and other chronic diseases such as rheumatism. It was introduced in the middle of the sixteenth century as a remedy for syphilis.

This herb is still used today for detoxifying the organs, to help relieve pain and even to cleanse the blood. In herbal medicine today, it is used mostly in combination with other herbs for its tonic, detoxifying, blood purifying, and lymph-cleansing properties.

Uses of Sarsaparilla:

  • Asthma
  • Syphilis
  • Rheumatism
  • As a flavoring
  • Detoxifies organs
  • Relieves pain
  • Cleanses blood
  • Kills fungi
  • Aids absorption
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Kills bacteria and germs
  • Stimulates digestion
  • Reduces fever
  • Increases urination
  • As an immunomodulator
  • Protects liver
  • Fights free radicals
  • Powdered root
  • Extract
  • Tincture
  • Compound solution

Side Effects of Sarsaparilla:

If Sarsaparilla is taken in high doses it may cause stomach irratation. Check with your doctor before taking this if you are pregnant or plan to becoming pregnant or are taking other medications.