By: Lee Thatcher
Sarsaparilla, (Smilax Officinalis) whose name is derived from Spanish, meaning Thorny. This thorny vine has been used medicinally since at least the late 1500s. In Roman times, the young shoots were eaten, and the vine worn as garlands by the Bacchus festival partygoers.
Some of its uses included a cure for the common cold, a cure for earaches and deafness, and relief from upset stomach. The common saying in the Old West was that sarsaparilla cured anything but a gunshot wound.
It is still touted as a blood purifier, and even antidote to poisoning. Research also suggests that sarsaparilla can help speed up metabolism, and helps with psoriasis and other eruptive skin disorders.
Sarsaparilla contains steroidal saponins, which also have hormonal effects and may improve fertility in women with ovarian dysfunction.
Sarsaparilla Root may also reduce inflammation, control itching, improve digestion and elimination, and act as an antiseptic.
Readers may remember the television show from the 1960s, the Western Sugarfoot. In that show, the hero sauntered up to the bar and ordered a frothy mug of sarsaparilla. It is still a big draw for anyplace calling itself an Old West exhibit. The sarsaparilla root is native to Central America, the American Southwest, and even scattered about the Eastern coast of the U.S. The American Indians made use of it, and that is probably the method by which its use became more widespread amongst the new Americans.
Like root beer, but without the bite, Sarsaparilla is also great in a float, or red cow.
You can buy the soda pop from vendors online, as well as the old fashioned Sarsaparilla candy sticks. For herbal tea and powdered Sarsaparilla root, one could try his or her health food store if internet shopping is not an option for you. As with any herb that has medicinal properties, it is always a good idea to consult a physician before consuming it for any curative uses. A great reference is Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by Dr. James A Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. This book goes into great detail as to how old fashioned cures and aids can be every bit as useful as some more modern remedies. In fact, many of our common medicines are derived from some part of a plant. So as they say, there’s nothing new under the sun. Remember, there is no substitute for a doctors advice, and these statements are not meant to be construed as medical advisories.
Information Website: https://healthyfocus.org/sarsaparilla-benefits/
Published U.S. Legacies May 2004
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