What is sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla is a climbing plant which can reach about 15 meters in length. Their thorny branches They cling and thrive in the branches of trees or thrive in shrub layers. It has heart-shaped and sharp, glossy leaves, with two tendrils at their base, small white tepal flowers, grouped in umbels, and a few red, fleshy fruits that appear in characteristic hanging clusters.

The european sarsaparilla, Very common in forests, hedges and bushy areas, it extends throughout the Mediterranean basin. but a lot most appreciated are, both in phytotherapy and for the preparation of the famous sarsaparilla drink, those known as American sarsaparillasof Mexican origin: Smilax ornata, Smilax officinalis, Smilax medica, Smilax febrifuga and Smilax siphilitica.

Although the fruitsespecially the European species, have been used in popular medicine as antidote against poisoningthe truth is that they are toxic due to its high saponin content. Some forest birds do consume them.

In phytotherapy, the root is used, in powder or crushed form.which is usually harvested in spring or autumn.

Properties of sarsaparilla

In the sarsaparilla composition We find an essential oil, saponins such as sarsapogenin, choline and mineral salts. In tropical species, their content of sarsapic acid, unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and palmitic, starch and a glycoside, sarsaponin, also stands out.

Due to this composition, sarsaparilla is attributed diuretic, cleansing, antirheumatic, anti-gout, slimming, sudorific, laxative, lipid-lowering and antifungal properties.

What is sarzapaRrilla used for?

Sarsaparilla, especially the American one, is considered the best cleansing remedy to relieve skin problems and kidney conditions. In any case, a species grows in Europe, the Smilax asperawhich does not have as much purifying capacity as sarsaparillas from tropical America, but is still used in traditional remedies and can be found in many herbalists

These are the main applications of sarsaparilla in phytotherapy:

• Being an excellent blood purifiersarsaparilla is indicated to increase the emission of urine and promote the elimination of excess uric acid. It can help reduce the rheumatic pain and gout.
• As a plant with diuretic properties, and in combination with other antihypertensive and lipid-lowering herbs, it is included in herbal formulas to treat high blood pressure and the high cholesterol.
• It is recommended for combat the different skin impuritieslike the acnethe appearance of eczema or boils, urticaria and other common dermatitis. Sarsaparilla extract is incorporated into herbal remedies to treat Juvenile acne in internal and topical applications.
• European sarsaparilla has been usedalthough to a lesser extent, as a febrifuge and expectorant, in case of flu and chronic bronchitis.
• It is also effective as digestive tonicto alleviate heavy digestion and other intestinal disorders, with diarrhea or cramps.
• It can also be used in case of constipation as a mild but effective laxative.

Is sarsaparilla effective for weight loss?

Sarsaparilla root acts as a powerful diuretic that facilitates the emission of urine, the elimination of toxins and combats fluid retentionwhich contributes to correcting overweight in treatments of a certain duration.

Drinks with sarsaparilla that benefit your health

With sarsaparilla we can prepare various infusions with health benefits. We propose two infusion recipes for two of its main uses:

1. Sarsaparilla infusion for skin impurities

Combine the sarsaparilla with other purifying plants, such as burdock, dandelion and corn silkin equal parts. Two level tablespoons of the mixture per half a liter of water.

It can be made with European sarsaparilla, although it is more effective if you use Mexican sarsaparilla (Smilax medical). In this case it is also usually combined with guaiac log (Guaiacum officinale).

How to prepare it: Boil for 2 minutes, let it rest for 10 more and strain. It’s about drinking in small doses throughout the day. It can be kept in the refrigerator to drink as a soft drink.

2. Sarsaparilla infusion for the bladder and kidney

As a purifying remedy, to facilitate elimination of toxins and as support for bladder and kidney conditions, sarsaparilla can be mixed with nettle, fumitory, horsetail and walnut leavesin equal parts.

How to prepare it: Boil it for 2 minutes, leave it to infuse for 10 more minutes, strain it and take two cups a day on an empty stomach.

Other ways to take blackberry

In herbalists and some natural products stores you can find sarsaparilla in the form of:

• Tincture
• liquid extract
• Syrup
• Capsules
• Sarsaparilla drink
• Root beer or sarsaparilla root beer

Precautions and contraindications

• They must avoid high doses and long treatments with sarsaparilla.
• If used as a diuretic, in case of hypertension or kidney failureit is essential to have medical advice.
• It is also contraindicated in case of acute nephritis due to the potentially irritating effect of saponins on the kidney.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”