Caer's Eclectic Apothecary

Common Name

Standardized: sarsaparilla
Other: brown sarsaparilla, Honduran sarsaparilla, Jamaican sarsaparilla

Botanical Name

Smilax regelii Killip & C.V. Morton
Plant Family: Smilacaceae

Overview

This particular species is a woody, perennial climbing vine native to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. When the Spanish conquistadores arrived, they found that indigenous tribes used beverages made with sarsaparilla as a general health tonic. The name itself is from the Spanish sarza, meaning brambles, and parilla, meaning vine.

Botany

This perennial climbing vine features erect, semiwoody stems with sharp thorns up to 1/2 inch long. The leaves are large, heartshaped, and almost evergreen with prominent veins.

Uses And Preparations

Powdered in tablets and capsules, decoction, made into cold beverages.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---

Alterative, tonic and diuretic. Useful for rheumatism, scrofula, skin diseases and thrush; it is used as an infusion, but not as a decoction as boiling dissipates its active volatile principle. Two OZ. of the root are infused in 1 pint of boiling water and left standing for 1 hour then strained off and drunk in 24 hours.

It has been successfully used in the cure of venereal disease, proving efficacious where American Sarsaparilla has failed. Native doctors utilize it in nephritic complaints and for sore mouths of children.

Syrup, B.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm.

Particularly indicated for inveterate syphilis, pseudo-syphilis, mescurio-syphilis and struma in all its forms. Also valuable in gonorrhoeal neuralgia and other depraved conditions of the system as well as for other diseases treated by other varieties.

Powder, 30 grains three times daily. Infusion or syrup, 4 fluid ounces.

---An Alterative Mixture---
1 lb. Rio Negro Sarsaparilla root, or in place of it Stillingia Sylvatica; 6 OZ. rasped guaiac wood; aniseed and licorice root bruised 2 OZ. of each; 1 lb. molasses; 1 OZ. Mezereon root-bark and 6 cloves. Put all these into 2 gallons of boiling water and shake vessel well. When fermentation starts, take 4 fluid ounces three times daily.

Benefits of Sarsaparilla

• Alzheimer
• Anorexia Leucorrhoea
• Acid Reflux
• Baldness
• Sexual Debility
  
• Aphthous Ulcers
• Indigestion
• Urinary Track
• Arthritis
  

Precautions