Latin Name: Smilax ornata
Family: Melanthiaceae
Part used: Dried root & rhizome.
Energetics: Warming, sweet, astringent
Iris: Haematogenic, Mixed.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Avoid during pregnancy.
ACTIONS
- Blood tonic
- Alterative
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-arthritic
- Anti-itch
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-viral
- Anti-diabetic
- Anti-neoplastic
- Diaphoretic
- Diuretic
- Antiseptic
- Pituitary stimulant and substitute for adrenal steroid
- Progestogenic
- Testosterone enhancer
- Immune modulator
- Oestrogenic
- Anti-allergic.
Main Constituents
- Steroidal Saponins
- Resin
- Oil
- Flavonoids
- Sarsapic acid
- Sterols
- Vitamins: A, B, C, D
- Iodine
- Fe
- Mn
- K
- Silica
- Zn
Main Uses
External Use: Mercurial poisoning
Infections:
Fungi: Candida, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton Spp.
Protozoa: Plasmodium
Viruses: HIV, Hepatitis B
Integumentary System: Psoriasis, Eczema
Circulatory: Blood sugar dips
Nervous system: Headache
Musculo-Skeletal System: Rheumatism, Gout, Used by sports people to build up the body and to improve performance
Endocrine: Adrenal restorative, Pre-menstrual tension
Immune System: Immune issues
Reproductive System: Vaginal and Anal itching, Infertility, Impotence, Sexual debility
More About Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla was used by native populations in Central and South America for thousands for years, to help relieve a wide range of problems from dermatitis to coughs. Starting in around the 1950s, European physicians considered sarsaparilla root a “tonic, blood purifier, diuretic and sweat promoter” that could help treat serious, even life-threatening infections, such as leprosy or cancer.
Other common names for sarsaparilla include Smilax, Honduran sarsaparilla, Jamaican sarsaparilla and zarzaparilla.
It can help with skin itching, dryness eczema, and psoriasis.
It is known for balancing hormones. The testosterone action increases strength, muscle mass and sexual performance. The steroidal saponins and sterols are oestrogenic and can help in cases of PMS, infertility, menopausal hot flushes, menstrual cramps and ovarian cysts.
Sarsaparilla can lower fluid retention and improve overall immune function, with its antibiotic action.
The roots are often used to make remedies, but the berries and leaves can also be consumed for their benefits, effects and mild taste.
Sarsaparilla was a beverage, similar to root beer, that was flavoured with the root of the plant. It is now often found on Farmers Markets. The soft drink doesn’t have the same benefits as real sarsaparilla teas or tinctures do.
Recipes:
Sarsaparilla and Burdock Drink
Ingredients:
- 42gr dried sarsaparilla root (cut and sifted)
- 42gr dried burdock root (cut and sifted)
- 946ml of water
- 167gr of honey (or adjust to taste)
Optional: Lemon juice for added flavour
Instructions:
- Measure out the dried sarsaparilla root and dried burdock root, which can be purchased from Baldwins.
- In a large saucepan, bring 946ml of water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add the dried sarsaparilla root and dried burdock root to the saucepan.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the herbs simmer for about 30-40 minutes. This will allow the roots to infuse their flavours into the water.
- After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove the root pieces.
- While the liquid is still warm, add honey to taste. Start with 167gr and adjust according to preference. Stir until the honey has completely dissolved.
- Allow the Sarsaparilla and Burdock drink to cool to room temperature.
- If desired, refrigerate the drink until it's cold.
- Serve the Sarsaparilla and Burdock drink in glasses over ice. A splash of lemon juice can be added for extra flavour.
Enjoy!
References
Hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective,
Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology.
H. indicus has played an important role in traditional Indian medicine (including Ayurveda) and also in European medicine. The main pharmacological properties of H. indicus include hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-ophidian, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32007632/
Cancer, tumour cells, colorectal cancer, immunogenic cell death.
Hemidesmus indicus induces immunogenic death in human colorectal cancer cells.
These data indicate that Hemidesmus indicus induces immunogenic cell death in human tumor cells and suggest its potential relevance in innovative cancer immunotherapy protocols.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29849952/
Apoptosis, promyelocytic leukemic cells, anti-leukemic, anticancer
Hemidesmus indicus induces apoptosis as well as differentiation in a human promyelocytic leukemic cell line.
The cytodifferentiating, cytotoxic and cytostatic activities of Hemidesmus indicus offers a scientific basis for its use in traditional medicine. Its potent antileukemic activity provides a pre-clinical evidence for its traditional use in anticancer pharmacology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23500881/
Tumours, anti-angiogenic,
In vitro anti-angiogenic effects of Hemidesmus indicus in hypoxic and normoxic conditions.
AEO was found to be active in vitro against B. canis, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.06 mg/mL, as compared to imidocarb, with IC50 = 0.007 mg/mL. The study confirms that essential oil from A. millefolium has anti-babesial properties in vitro.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33847097/
Anti-inflammatory
The estimation of the traditionally used yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae) oil extracts with anti-inflammatory potential in topical application.
The data obtained in the study showed that the oil yarrow extracts had an evident anti-inflammatory property. Namely, the investigated extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effect in an in vivo double blind randomized study, using a sodium lauryl sulfate test. The skin parameters assessed in the study (skin capacitance, pH and EI) were restored to the basal values after three- and seven-day treatment with the tested extracts. The shown effects were attributed to yarrow oil extracts composition. The yarrow oil extracts might be used as promising base in the phytopreparations designed for dermatological application as anti-inflammatory agents with a positive impact on the skin pH and its moisture content.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28163113/