Scientific Name: Sarsaparilla
Other Names: Khao Yen, Sarsa, Smilace, Smilax, Smilax aristolochiifolia, Smilax glabra, Smilax officinalis, Smilax regelii, Smilax sarsaparilla, Tufuling

Who is this for?

Uses

In the United States, sarsaparilla is sold primarily as an oral remedy for skin conditions such as psoriasis. Chemicals in sarsaparilla may attach to endotoxins (the remnants of bacterial cells) that are common in individuals with psoriasis and certain other conditions. By eliminating or reducing the amounts of endotoxins in the body, sarsaparilla may help to relieve the condition.

Orally, sarsaparilla also has weak diuretic and laxative effects, which may make it useful in promoting the loss of excess water from the body and also in treating mild constipation. It may also promote sweating, which may help to reduce fever. Additionally, sarsaparilla contains chemicals that may act as a mild expectorant?a substance that may loosen mucus in the lungs and promote coughing. However, these effects are based mainly in traditional use. None has been verified through clinical studies and they may vary greatly depending on the amounts and type of sarsaparilla that is used.

Some anti-inflammatory and pain-reliving effects associated with sarsaparilla made it useful in early medicine for treating arthritis and related conditions. Inflammation is a response to irritation, injury, or infection. It usually includes pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the damage and it can occur within body tissues as well as on the surface of the skin. In recent studies, the inflammation of artificially produced arthritis was blocked in a significant number of laboratory animals that were given oral sarsaparilla. Chemicals in sarsaparilla are believed to affect parts of the immune system that decrease inflammation. No human studies have been conducted to test this possible use of sarsaparilla, however.

Laboratory studies mainly using breast cancer, leukemia, melanoma, or liver cancer cells have shown possible anticancer effects for chemicals in sarsaparilla. From very early results, sarsaparilla appears to stop the division of some cancer cells and it may also cause cancer cells to break up faster than they would normally. Also only in laboratory and animal studies, sarsaparilla has blocked nerve cell damage caused by amyloids, protein fibers that form in various organs, including the brain. Normally, amyloids are broken up and reabsorbed by the body. In Alzheimer?s disease, one type--beta amyloids--accumulate in clumps known as neurofibrillary tangles (if they are inside brain cells) or amyloid plaques (if they are between brain cells). The damage they cause eventually results in dementia, an increasing deficiency in thought processes.

Recently, slightly antifungal effects have been found in laboratory studies of sarsaparilla. Some additional laboratory research seems to show that oral sarsaparilla extract may be effective against a type of parasitic worm that is common in Asia. Human clinical studies are needed to verify these possible anti-infective effects, however.

Precautions

Sarsaparilla contains chemicals called saponins, which are poisonous to insects and other small creatures. Saponins are not well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of humans, however. Therefore, sarsaparilla does not appear to be toxic to humans when taken by mouth or used topically. If they are injected into the blood, however; saponins can dissolve red blood cells, which may result in serious effects that include death.

Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products, warns that sarsaparilla may have negative effects on the kidneys. Although the warning has not been verified and any kidney impairment is believed to be temporary, sarsaparilla still should not be used by individuals with kidney diseases.

What side effects should I watch for?

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 stomach upset or intestinal irritation. Kidney function can also be disrupted temporarily if excessively large doses of sarsaparilla are taken. However, rare case reports of these side effects have not been verified by clinical research.

What interactions should I watch for?

Prescription Drugs

Sarsaparilla possibly may increase the absorption of the heart drug, digoxin by the body. Potentially, digoxin could reach dangerous levels in the blood. Some signs of excess digoxin may include blurred vision, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, rash, or upset stomach.

When sarsaparilla is taken at the same time that prescription drugs for insomnia are taken, the drug may leave the body more quickly than it would ordinarily. As a result, the drug may not be as effective. Medications for insomnia include:

• estazolam
• quazepam
• Lunesta
• Rozerem
• temazepam
• zaleplon
• zolpidem

Theoretically, sarsaparilla could interfere with the absorption or elimination of any oral drugs that are taken at the same time. Those who take sarsaparilla by mouth should allow as much time as possible--at least 2 hours--between taking medicines and taking sarsaparilla.

Non-prescription Drugs

Sarsaparilla possibly may increase the body's absorption of bismuth from products such as Pepto-Bismol. Increased bismuth levels are relatively rare, but they may result in confusion, drowsiness, or excitement. Individuals who are not sure whether they take products that contain bismuth should ask a doctor or pharmacist before beginning to use sarsaparilla.

Herbal Products

Sarsaparilla could interfere with the absorption or elimination of other oral herbal supplements that are taken at the same time. Separate taking sarsaparilla and other supplements by at least 2 hours.

Should I take it?

Native to South America, Latin America, Mexico and the islands of the Caribbean, sarsaparilla was introduced to Europe in the 15th century. A long vine-like plant with woody stems and long thorns, it is different from the sarsaparilla tree, which grows in the Northern Hemisphere.

For use in medicine, sarsaparilla root is dried and chopped, shredded, or powdered. In Chinese medicine, sarsaparilla is combined with a number of other ingredients into an oral compound to treat cancer and into a different combination for hepatitis. Indian traditional healers apply the juice of sarsaparilla leaves to treat skin conditions. In other cultures, it has been used historically to treat leprosy and sexually-transmitted diseases such as syphilis. Although it is currently popular in dietary supplements for athletes, no evidence exists to indicate that sarsaparilla enhances athletic performance or helps the development of muscle mass. It does not contain anabolic steroids.

Because sarsaparilla has a characteristic fragrance and taste, it was formerly used extensively as a flavoring agent. Most notably, it was traditionally the ingredient that gave root beer its distinctive taste. Now mostly replaced by artificial flavors, sarsaparilla may still be used occasionally as a flavoring for foods or medications because it can hide bitter tastes. In the past, some individuals used it as a tonic because its strong flavor was believed to increase appetite and improve digestion.

Dosage and Administration

Typically, sarsaparilla is taken two times or three times a day--either as a tea or as a liquid extract. Sarsaparilla tea can be made from 1,000 mg to 4,000 mg (one gram to 4 grams) of the chopped or shredded dried root that has been soaked for 10 minutes in about 8 ounces of hot water and then filtered before drinking. The extract is an alcohol-based liquid usually taken as 2 teaspoons to 3 teaspoons at a time. Extracts are concentrated liquid preparations usually made by soaking chopped or mashed plant parts in a liquid, and then straining out the solid parts.

Capsules containing powdered sarsaparilla root are also available and sarsaparilla is included in a number of combination oral herbal products. Recommended doses differ greatly. Individuals who decide to use sarsaparilla, should follow the directions on the package that is purchased.

Topical sarsaparilla is not widely available in the United States, although it is used in other parts of the world for acne, eczema, fungal infections, and similar skin conditions. The cooled and strained tea is sometimes applied to infected or inflamed skin as a wash or as a compress. When applied topically, sarsaparilla appears to have some ability to relieve itching, as well as having slight antibacterial properties. In this country, commercially available topical antibacterial agents are much more effective, howeer.

Summary

In the United States, sarsaparilla mostly is taken by mouth for skin conditions such as psoriasis. Orally, it may also have slight diuretic, expectorant, and laxative effects. Due to mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, sarsaparilla is used as a topical treatment for skin conditions in some parts of the world.

Risks

Sarsaparilla may have some slightly negative effect on the kidneys, so individuals with kidney diseases should not use it.

Side Effects

Individuals who drink very large amounts of sarsaparilla tea may experience stomach irritation. In very rare cases, a few individuals who work in growing, processing, or packing sarsaparilla have developed asthma from breathing the dust.

Interactions

Sarsaparilla may increase blood levels of digoxin and bismuth--potentially causing changes in heart rate, mental status, or vision. Blood levels of drugs for insomnia, however, may decrease when they are taken at the same time as sarsaparilla and the sleep-promoting effects of the drug may lessen. The effectiveness of other drugs and herbal supplements may also be blocked unpredictably by sarsaparilla.

Last Revised April 18, 2008

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Last Revised April 18, 2008

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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