Sarsaparilla root benefit and side effects, supplement information by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Sarsaparilla (Smilax) is a vine
native to tropical and temperate parts of the world and includes several 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 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.
It has been difficult and confusing
to determine with accuracy the medicinal properties of sarsaparilla since
studies have been done with different species of sarsaparilla, including
sarsaparilla smilax, sarsaparilla glabra, and sarsaparilla ornata. I don't
know whether the chemical compounds within these species are similar or vastly
different. Sarsaparilla has some vision enhancement properties.
Constituents
Sarsaparilla contains sarsasapogenin,
sitosterol, stigmasterol, and
pollinastanol; many flavonoids; and the saponins sarsasaponin, sarsaparilloside, among others.
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Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp) is a tropical herb from Central America brought to
Europe by Spanish Conquistadors for use in herbal medicines.
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Supplement Facts
Sarsaparilla (root) - 850 mg per two capsules
Recommendation: Take 1 or 2 sarsaparilla capsules daily.
Eyesight Rx Eye Formula

Unlike some eye formulas that provide nutrients and
herbs for long term healthy
vision support, and prevention of visual
impairment, but don't seem to have much of an immediate effect on visual
acuity, Eyesight Rx is an eye formula that provides a quick and noticeable
vision improvement within hours.
Reports from Eyesight Rx users indicate enhanced clarity of vision, colors
being brighter, better focus, and overall improvement in close and
distance vision. We've had reports of some people noticing this effect
within a half hour, while most people notice improved vision within hours.
Still others will realize their vision is sharper the next morning when
they take their second dose.
Supplement Facts:
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Citrus bioflavonoids (eriocitrin,
hesperidin,
flavonols,
flavones,
flavonoids, naringenin, and
quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids (alpha carotene,
astaxanthin,
beta carotene, cryptoxanthin,
Lutein,
Lycopene,
Zeaxanthin)
Bilberry
extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Eyebright
extract (Euphrasia officianales)
Jujube extract (Zizyphus jujube)
Ginkgo biloba
(Ginkgo biloba), also available separately
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens
extract (Cowhage)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Lycium berry extract (Lycium Barbarum),
also known as
Goji berry supplement.
Sarsaparila (Sarsaparilla Smilax)
Aphrodisiac Properties
Sarsaparillla is occasionally found in some herbal sex products. I have not been
able to find studies to confirm its potential as a sex booster.
Passion Rx for Men and Women

Provides results that are sometimes
seen the first day, and improvement is noted over several days
of use.
The effective herbal extracts include ashwagandha,
catuaba, cnidium monnieri,
coleus forskohlii, damiana,
horny goat weed,
maca, mucuna pruriens,
muira puama,
passion flower, pfaffia paniculata,
rhodiola, shilajit,
tribulus terrestris, tongkat ali.
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.
Sarsaparilla
side effects
Sarsaparilla has not been tested enough to provide us with enough information
regarding its side effects.
Sarsaparilla
Research studies
(please note the different species)
Studies on dihydroflavonol glycosides from rhizome of Smilax glabra
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004.
To investigate the chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Smilax glabra - sarsaparilla. 5 dihydro-flavonol glycosides were identified as: astilbin, neoastilbin, isoastilbin, neoisoastilbin, (2R,
3R)-taxifolin-3'-O-beta-D-pyranglucoside.
New mannose-binding lectin isolated from the rhizome of Sarsaparilla Smilax
glabra
J Agric Food Chem. 2004.
A new mannose-binding lectin, designated SGM2, was isolated from the rhizome
of a Chinese medicinal herb Smilax glabra (also known as sarsaparilla in
general) by saline extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation and fractionation,
and affinity chromatography on fetuin- and mannose-agarose. SGM2 exhibited
antiviral activities against both herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Study on chemical constituents in rhizome of Smilax perfoliate
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003.
To investigate the components of Smilax perfoliate. Nine compounds
were isolated and identified as palmitic acid, beta-sitosterol, delta 7-5
alpha-cholesten-3-beta-ol, naringenin, succinic acid, apigenin, resveratrol, daucosterol and juncusyl ester B.
Steroidal saponins from Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis).
Phytochemistry. 1996.
Three new steroidal saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of sarsaparilla.
Studies on the chemical constituents of Smilax glabra
Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1998.
Smilax glabra is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine which has been
used clinically to prevent leptospirosis, to treat syphilis, and acute bacterial
dysentery, etc. Its extracts showed anti-tumor and anti-atherosclerosis
activity. A new isoflavone, along with two
known compounds taxifolin and astilbin, have been isolated from the roots of
Smilax glabra.
Experimental studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional
medicine.
Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1989.
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. 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.
Sarsaparilla has been historically used for
psoriasis.
Emails
Q. What's the difference between sarsaparilla and root beer?
A. Historically, several different combinations have
been used to make root beer including allspice, birch bark, ginger and ginger
root, hops, burdock root, dandelion root, spicewood, wild cherry bark and
bitters, wintergreen and wintergreen oil, etc. In modern times, root beer is put
together from a mixture of flavorings, sweeteners and carbonation. Root beer
still includes such as burdock root, sarsaparilla root, ginger root, wild cherry
bark, etc.), oils (anise, wintergreen, etc.), sweeteners (sugar, molasses, corn
sugar, fructose, malt extract, etc.) and carbonation.
Can I take sarsaparilla pill with
5-htp?
Yes, but realize that 5htp can cause sexual
inhibition.