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Common Name/s: |
Other Name/s: |
Botanical name/s: |
| Sarsaparilla |
Jamaican Sarsaparilla, American Sarsaparilla,
Grey Sarsaparilla,
Vera Cruz Sarsaparilla,
Honduras Sarsaparilla |
Smilax Officinalis,
Smilax Ornata
Smilax Aristolochiaefolia |
General description and domicile:
The domicile of this very large family of plants is not easy to distill from
the many sources I have as they are somewhat in conflict, not only on domicile
but also on which species should be included as Sarsaparilla.
It certainly is true that the current herbal remedy originated from the
medicinal use of the plants that were growing in the West Indies and Central
America but before that the ancient Greeks were using a European equivalent
primarily against poisoning and syphilis.
The Jamaican Sarsaparilla was only called that because most exports to Europe
was from the harbor in Jamaica, not necessarily grown in Jamaica.
The plant grows in virtually every country and island off tropical America and
has evolved into many sub-species from Granada to the Andes that are too many to
list. They may have minor physical differences like leaves, size of roots and
color and shape of stem but from what I can gather there are no significant
variations in constituent any more than you would get from the identical specie
that has been grown in different soils, rainfall and climate.
The soft drink Sarsaparilla was made from the American Sarsaparilla.
It was only in the sixteenth century that the "Jamaican" Sarsaparilla was
introduced into Europe where it was originally used for syphilis, a general
tonic and later for rheumatism and asthma.
Scientists, in later years dismissed Sarsaparilla as a cure for syphilis but
quite recently it has become apparent that although it may not cure syphilis it
does have beneficial effects.
Remedy Profile
Major therapeutic effects:
Rheumatism
Skin conditions
Psoriases
Blood pressure
Fluid retention
Do not use Sarsaparilla or any diuretic while pregnant.
Minor therapeutic effects:
Syphilis - ? See comments in general description above.
How to choose the right remedy/Herb:
In many cases there are several herbal remedies to choose from. This can be
very confusing. Our
Choose the Herbal Remedy page explains how to refine your
choice
Part used:
The root and rhizome
Remedy preparation:
Decoction, infusion, tincture
Properties:
Diuretic
Hepatic
Alterative
Antipruritic
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Constituents:
Saponins: Wound healing, anti-scarring. Saponins occur as
glycosides with aglycone structures that are steroidal or terpenoid. Saponins can cause the
destruction of red blood cells if injected causing anaemia or worse. Ingested
saponins are poorly absorbed in the digestive system reducing the risk of
poisoning but care must be taken on dosage as Saponins are mucus membrane
irritants.
Many herbs containing saponins have been identified as
"adaptogens" also referred to as harmony remedies (see: The Root of
being: Ginseng and the Pharmacology of Harmony - Stephen Fulder 1980).
Instead of being purely remedial herbs these adaptogens improves and energizes
vitality and resistance thereby keeping ailments at bay. It is claimed that
these adaptogens can improve mental functions like learning speed, awareness and
alertness as well as help with emotional and intellectual stress. As a tonic
they will also reduce the risk of infections by stimulating the immune system. Saponins are also expectorant, anti-inflammatory,
hepaprotective, combats cholesterol build up and antifungal. Sitosterol: Sitosterol, a sterol, is very important for the
maintenance of cell membranes.
Sterols: Most sterols play a big part in the makeup of cell
membranes. Sterols are used to make steroidal medication and drugs. Sterols may
interfere with the development of tumours and assist in the regulation of
cholesterol, but this has not been fully established yet. |
Stigmasterol: An essential component of cell
membrane. Stigmasterol is a Phytosterol.
|
Phytosterols: A Triterpenoid. It is believed
that Phytosterols play a role in the inhibition of tumour growth and control of
cholesterol in the blood.
|
Triterpenoid Saponins: A glycoside with
triterpenoid aglycone structures.
|
Saponins: Wound healing, anti-scarring. Saponins occur as
glycosides with aglycone structures that are steroidal or terpenoid. Saponins can cause the
destruction of red blood cells if injected causing anaemia or worse. Ingested
saponins are poorly absorbed in the digestive system reducing the risk of
poisoning but care must be taken on dosage as Saponins are mucus membrane
irritants.
Many herbs containing saponins have been identified as
"adaptogens" also referred to as harmony remedies (see: The Root of
being: Ginseng and the Pharmacology of Harmony - Stephen Fulder 1980).
Instead of being purely remedial herbs these adaptogens improves and energizes
vitality and resistance thereby keeping ailments at bay. It is claimed that
these adaptogens can improve mental functions like learning speed, awareness and
alertness as well as help with emotional and intellectual stress. As a tonic
they will also reduce the risk of infections by stimulating the immune system. Saponins are also expectorant, anti-inflammatory,
hepaprotective, combats cholesterol build up and antifungal. |
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Kaempferol - C15H10O6:
Kaempferol is a flavonoid.
|
Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
Quercetin:
A Flavonoid
|
Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
Polyphenols - Flavonoids: Affecting the cardiovascular system
flavonoids protect against environmental stress and pollution. Based on studies
a correlation was found with improved cardiovascular function. A similar study
found the same trend in respect of strokes. general effects of flavenoids:
antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive while specific
actions are membrane strengthening and antioxidant.
|
Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
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