botanical name(s): Smilax officinalis, Smilax ornato, Smilax aristolochiaefolia, Smilax regelii, Smilax febrifuga
synonyms: sarsaparilla
part(s) used: root
qualities: sweet, pungent, bitter, warm, moist
affinities:
actions: alterative, antipruritic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic
dosage:
» powder: 1 - 4 g.
» tincture: 2 - 8 ml.
therapy: scrofula; secondary syphilis; cutaneous diseases; rheumatic and gouty conditions, with inactive kidneys irritated from the presence of large quantities of uric acid and the urates (Ellingwood, p. 372); psoriasis; chronic rheumatism; rheumatoid arthritis (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 198); spring tonic; low blood sugar; weight gain in children; increase muscle mass in weight lifters; balance estrogens (Anderson Geller)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 1
occasional problems occur due to saponins; signs and symptoms include: gastric distress with diaphoresis, nausea and vomiting; pulse rate may decrease and a sense of lightheadedness with syncope may ensue (Phillips, p. 182)
constituents: saponins, ß-sitosterol
footnotes
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
British Herbal Medical Association. 1983. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. West Yorks, England: The British Herbal Medical Association.
Ellingwood, F. 1919. "Ellingwood's Therapeutist" American Materia Medica Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Evanston, IL.
Phillips, C.D. 1879. Materia Medica and Therapeutics: Vegetable Kingdom. New York: William Wood and Company.