Sarsaparilla (Smilax ornata) Sarsaparilla root has been used
for centuries by the people of Central and South America for
sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailments, and as a general
tonic for physical weakness. It has long been used by tribes for
headaches and joint pain, and against common cold. People in the
Amazon use sarsaparilla root internally and externally for leprosy
and other skin problems (such as psoriasis and dermatitis).
European physicians considered sarsaparilla root a tonic, blood
purifier, diuretic, and sweat promoter. From the sixteenth century
to the present, sarsaparilla has been used as a blood purifier and
general tonic and also has been used worldwide for gout, syphilis,
gonorrhea, rheumatism, wounds, arthritis, fever, cough, scrofula,
hypertension, digestive disorders, psoriasis, skin diseases, and
cancer.
Sarsaparilla contains the plant steroids sarsasapogenin,
smilagenin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol; and the
saponins sarsasaponin, smilasaponin, sarsaparilloside, and
sitosterol glucoside, among others. The saponins have been
reported to facilitate the body's absorption of other drugs and
phytochemicals, which accounts for its history of use in herbal
formulas as an agent for bioavailability and to enhance the power
and effect of other herbs.
Flavonoids in sarsaparilla have been documented to have immune
modulation and liver protective activities. They have been proved
to be effective in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory
reactions through their immunomodulating effects.
Clinical research has validated the traditional use of
sarsaparilla for skin conditions such as psoriasis and other skin
abnormalities. One of the possible mechanisms of action in
psoriasis is sarsaparilla's blood cleansing properties.
Individuals with psoriasis have been found to have high levels of
endotoxins circulating in the bloodstream (endotoxins are cell
wall fragments of normal gut bacteria). Sarsaponin, one of
sarsaparilla's main steroids, was found to bind to these
endotoxins and remove them, thus improving psoriasis.
No
major side effects have been reported from using oral or topical
sarsaparilla in recommended amounts. Rarely, prolonged exposure to
large amounts of the dust associated with commercial processing of
sarsaparilla root has resulted in cases of asthma.
Taking oral sarsaparilla in very large amounts possibly could lead
to nausea, stomach upset or intestinal irritation. Kidney function
can also be disrupted temporarily if excessively large doses of
sarsaparilla are taken. However, reports of these effects have not
been verified by clinical research.
(From
www.remedyfind.com)
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