Sarsaparilla herb
sarsaparilla research

Sarsaparilla (Smilax) is a vine native to tropical and temperate parts of the world and includes at least 200 hundred species worldwide. It is native to South and Central America, along with many islands in the Caribbean. Sarsaparilla is also found in India and parts of China. Sarsaparilla herb has been used as an ingredient in root beer and other beverages for its foaming properties. Sarsaparilla root was used as a general tonic by indigenous tribes in South America, where European traders found it and introduced it into their culture in the 1400s. You can purchase Sarsaparilla supplement at Physician Formulas.

Sarsaparilla as medicine
Sarsaparilla is often used to treat inflammatory skin conditions. Smilax glabra is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine which has been used clinically to prevent leptospirosis, to treat syphilis, and acute bacterial dysentery. Sarsaparilla root has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America for sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailments, and as a general tonic. Shamans in the Amazon use sarsaparilla root internally and externally for leprosy and other inflammatory skin problems such as psoriasis.

Constituents in Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla contains sarsasapogenin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol; and the saponins sarsasaponin, sarsaparilloside, among others.

Aphrodisiac Properties of Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla is used as a sexual enhancer although hardly any studies are available to confirm its potential as a sex booster.

Sarsaparilla Side Effects
Sarsaparilla has not been tested enough to provide us with enough information regarding its side effects.

Sarsaparilla Research Update
Experimental studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional medicine.
Ageel AM, Mossa JS, al-Yahya MA, al-Said MS, Tariq M. College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1989;15(8):369-72.
A large number of herbal drugs are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of inflammation. In the present study seven of these crude drugs, namely Francoeuria crispa, Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, Smilax sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia officinarum were tested against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats. The plant materials were extracted with 96% ethanol. The dried extract was dissolved in water for pharmacological testing. The rats were administered an oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of each extract 1 h prior to production of inflammation by carrageenan injection (0.05 ml of 1% carrageenan suspension in the planter aponeurosis of the right hind foot). The paw volume was measured at 0,2,3 and 4 h after the injection. Four of the seven plants, namely Francoeuria crispa (24%), Malus pumila (23%), Ruta chalepensis (30%) and Smilax sarsaparilla (25%), produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. These plants also inhibited cotton pellet-induced exudation. Further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles and for the determination of the mechanism of action of these drugs.

Sarsaparilla supplement questions
Q. Does sarsaparilla extract improve libido?
   A. Sarsaparilla extract does not appear to have a noticeable effect on libido and impotence. Prostate Power Rx and Passion Rx are quite potent.

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