Sarsaparilla Root Herb by Tea

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Plant Class:Perennial Climbing Vine

Leaves:Stems erect, semiwoody, with very sharp prickles 1/2 inch long. Leaves large, heartshaped, almost evergreen with prominent veins

Fruit: bright red to blue-black spherical berry fruit

Preferred Habitat:Moist woodlands

Root: Underground rizome - part used medicinally. Large, knotted root

Distribution:Tropical - South and Central America, China

Regional Traditions :North America

Common Names

Sarsaparilla , zarzaparrilla

Botanical Name

Smilax sarsaparilla

 

Family

LilIaceae Lily Family

 

Common Uses:Eczema, Gout, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid_arthritis,

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antiscrofulous, AntiViral,* Appetite Depressant/Obesity, Cancer, Depurative, Tonic, Cool Refreshing Drink.

 

Parts Used: Root

 

Constituents: parillin (smilacin), glucoside, sarsapic acid, saponins: sarsasaponin, sarsaparilloside, many flavonioids and starch

See Also:Spikenard

 

Sarsaparilla : Medicinal Uses & Benefits

Sarsaparilla makes a good all round tonic, and the spicy, pleasant smelling root is what gave old fashioned root beer its bite and is the part used medicinally. For many years, people thought sarsaparilla had testosterone in it, but there is none present, or for that matter in any plant studied so far. However, there is research to substantiate its use for gout, arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and eczema. Certain root phytochemicals, called saponins, have soothed psoriasis, most likely by disabling bacterial components called endotoxins. Endotoxins show up in the bloodstreams of people with psoriasis, arthritis and gout.

 

Sarsaparilla Side Effects: In people with kidney problems or diabetes, damage to the kidney can result if sarsaparilla is taken is excessive doses.

 

How to Use: Sarsaparilla

Preparation Methods & Dosage :Sarsaparilla can be taken in capsules or extracts, but then you would miss out on one of natures best tasting herbs. Use 1 - 2 teaspoons of the chopped, dried root for each cup of water, boil and simmer.

History and Traditions & Folklore

As early as about 1590, the Persian scholar Imad al-Din Mahmud ibn Mas'ud Shirazi gave a detailed evaluation of the medical properties of Chinaroot,(chub-i chini), the rhizome of an Old World species of smilax found in eastern Asia ,especially its use against syphilis.

Jamaica Sarsaparilla was introduced to Europe in the middle of the sixteenth century as a remedy for syphilis, and later came to be used for other chronic diseases, specially rheumatism. By the time the Spanish conquistadores arrived, they found the indigenous tribes using beverages made with sarsaparilla (sarsaparilla) as a general health tonic. This plant derived its name from being exported to Europe through Jamaica. The word Sarsaparilla comes from the Spanish Sarza, meaning a bramble, and parilla, a vine, in allusion to the thorny stems of the plant. 3

 

Sarsaparilla root was registered in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1910 as a treatment for syphilis.

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I love this herb, I like to dry out the root and Chip it up or make a powder out of it with a squeeze of lemon, Lime and with a little Sassafras to make a Cold summer drink out of it with Seltzer water and Honey, strain it after about 2 to 3 hours and add Ice to it and a little more Seltzer water, and you have a kid friendly Mead.

I do the same for adult Mead which I use Vodka 100 proof to use as a solvent, I set up for about 6 weeks to 6 months, once a week I shake it up. When needed I add a little more vodka because it will evaporate. When it is ready, you can use it as a Tincture and much more, but I will fill a glass with ice in it and add some to the Ice then add a little Seltzer water and honey or corn suryp to it and you have your Adult friendly Mead.

Sarsaparilla is used to make Root Beer and all of my kids love it.

Blessings,

~Tea~