Plant Family: Liliaceae

Common name: Jamaica Sarsaparilla, Red-bearded Sarsaparilla, Smilax medica

Origin: Central America, especially Costa Rica

History: The word Sarsaparilla comes from the Spanish word Sarza meaning 'a bramble' and parilla, 'a vine'.Jamaica Sarsaparilla derived its name from being exported to Europe through Jamaica.

• Native American Indians used Sarsaparilla for a wide variety of ailments
• Pirates used Sarsaparilla for syphilis
• Used since the 16th century for syphilis

Tradition:

It was thought:

• to be an antidote to deadly poisons
• that if given to a newborn it would make it immune to all poisons

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• active principle, Parillin (Smilacin)
• glucoside
• sarsapic acid
• sarsapogenin (related to progesterone and used in its synthesis)
• sarsaponin
• starch

and the Fatty Acids:

• palmitic acid
• stearic acid
• behenic acid
• oleic acid
• linolic acid

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Root

Sarsaparilla is used for:

Bacterial and Viral Conditions

• retro-viruses, e.g. herpes, HIV etc.
• syphilis

Genitourinary Conditions

• gout

Inflammatory Conditions

• rheumatism

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• coughs and colds

The smoke of Sarsaparilla is used for:

• asthma

Other

• abscesses
• ulcers

Externally, Sarsaparilla is used for:

• abscesses
• rheumatism
• skin diseases
• ulcers

Action:

• alterative [an agent capable of favorably altering or changing unhealthy conditions of the body and tending to restore normal bodily function, usually by improving nutrition]
• blood purifier
• diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
  immune system suppressant
• mild gastric irritant
• pectoral [remedy for pulmonary or other lung and chest diseases]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]

Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Sarsaparilla without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None indicated