Sarsaparilla Health Benefits

Scientific Name: Smilax

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Order: Santalales

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Family: Olacaceae

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Do not confuse with Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indices). The rhizomes (modified stems) of Smilax species are used to flavor beverages and for medicine. Soft drinks, called sarsaparilla, are generally made from the roots of Smilax regelii.

Strong:

insufficient information

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Good:

insufficient information

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Promising:

insufficient information

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Conflicting (Unclear):

insufficient information

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Limited Evidence:

• Gout, a tablet containing sarsaparilla / ash bark [1]

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No Evidence:

insufficient information

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No Clinical Research:

All other conditions.

Side effects may include:

• Asthma (caused by inhaling the root dust)
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal Upset
• Nausea
• Kidney Irritation

Precautions and Adverse Events:

• Use caution or contact a licensed healthcare practitioner, if you have kidney problems.

• Sarsaparilla may or may not cause blood cell and kidney damage; though, caution is advised.

• There has been a case of asthma associated with sarsaparilla root dust.

[2-4]

Sarsaparilla appears to be safe for consumption as a beverage during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Major:

insufficient information

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Moderate:

insufficient information

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Potential:

• Digoxin
• Diuretics (Water Pills)
• Hypnotic Drugs

[5-7]

As a beverage, sarsaparilla is safe for consumption.

[Afendi et al. 2012]

1. Ji W, Zhu XX, Tan WF, Lu Y. Effects of Rebixiao granules on blood uric acid in patients with repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis. Chin J Integr Med. 2005 Mar;11(1):15-21. 2. DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA. The review of natural products: the most complete source of natural product information. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO, USA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2012. 3. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. The complete guide to herbal medicines. Spring House, PA, USA: Springhouse Corporation; 2000. 4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for herbal medicines. 4th ed. Montvale, NJ, USA: Thomson Healthcare; 2007. 5. DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA. The review of natural products: the most complete source of natural product information. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO, USA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2012. 6. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. The complete guide to herbal medicines. Spring House, PA, USA: Springhouse Corporation; 2000. 7. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for herbal medicines. 4th ed. Montvale, NJ, USA: Thomson Healthcare; 2007. 8. Afendi FM, Okada T, Yamazaki M, Hirai-Morita A, Nakamura Y, Nakamura K, Ikeda S, Takahashi H, Altaf-Ul-Amin M, Darusman LK, Saito K, Kanaya S. KNApSAcK family databases: integrated metabolite-plant species databases for multifaceted plant research. Plant Cell Physiol. 2012 Feb;53(2):e1.