FOR CENTURIES Sarsaparilla root has been used by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America for sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailment, and as a tonic for physical weakness.
It was introduced into European medicine in the 1400's. From the 1500's to present, Sarsaparilla has been used as a blood purifier and general tonic, and has been used all over the world for the same conditions, namely gout, syphilis, gonorrhoea, wounds, arthritis, fevers, coughs, scrofula (tuberculosis of lymph nodes), hypertension, digestive disorders, psoriasis, skin disease, cancer and as a tonic.
Sarsaparilla is a large woody vine growing up to 50 meters in length and is native to South America, Jamaica, some other islands in the Caribbean, Mexico and Honduras. The root, used for medicinal purposes, is long and tuberous and supports a ground-trailing vine with paired tendrils for climbing. The fragrance of the root is considered pleasant with a spicy sweet taste.
There are many species of Smilax around the world that are very similar in appearance, uses and even chemical structure, including S. officinalis, S. regeli, S. aristolochiaefolia, S. febrifuga, S. sarsaparilla, and S. ornata. In Jamaica S. balbisiana is known as Chainy root, and S. regeli as Jamaican sarsaparilla.
In Jamaica, Sarsaparilla is made into a tonic drink with other medicinal plants such as chainy root, ginger, nerve wist, sage, black berry, pimento, strong back and fourman strength root, to name a few. It is said to strengthen, cleanse and rejuvenate the entire body.
Many phytochemicals have been found in sarsaparilla including Beta-sitosterol, Cetyl-alcohol, Epsilon-sitosterol, Parigenin, Parillin, Pollinastanol, Resin, Saponin, Sarasaponin, Sarsaparilloside, Sarsaponin, Sarsasapogenin, Sitosterol-d-glucoside, Smilagenin, Smilasaponin, and Stigmasterol. Sarsaparilla also contains vitamin C, B-complex (especially B-6), calcium, iron and other trace minerals.
The majority of Sarsaparilla's pharmacological properties and actions have been attributed to a pharmacologically-active group of phytochemicals called steroids and saponins. The saponins have been reported to facilitate the absorption by the body of other drugs and phytochemicals which accounts for its history of use in herbal formulas as a bioavailable and herbal enhancement agent.
There has not been a lot of in depth research done on Sarsaparilla so it is difficult to recognise all of its possible benefits. However, many people from different countries have suggested similar uses. The Europeans and Chinese believe that it can be used to reduce the discomforts of various arthritic conditions, as well as certain urinary conditions. Modern herbalists believe that Sarsaparilla should be used for the treatment of colds, coughs, fevers and gout. And, although no research supports its use as a muscle-strengthening herb, many weight trainers continue to use Sarsaparilla to enhance muscle growth.
There is no known toxicity or side effects documented for Sarsaparilla, however, ingestion of large dosages of saponins may cause gastro-intestinal irritation.
Dr. Sylvia Mitchell, scientific officer, Biotechnology Centre, University of the West Indies, Mona, email: smitchel@uwimona.edu.jm
