Sarsaparilla

Latin Name: Smilax regelii 

Common Names: Sarsaparilla / Honduran Sarsaparilla

Introduction:

Sarsaparilla belongs to the Smilax genus which contains around 300-350 species. They are a climbing flowering plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

A large sample of Sarsaparilla can be found in the Historical Medicinal Collection in the Department of Pharmacology of Trinity College Dublin, based in St. James’s University Hospital. The sample was originally collected on the ‘Chiriqui Volcano’, also known as Volcán Barú, the highest peak in Panama, Central America in the year 1851, making it at least 174 years old in the year 2025. In 1867 the Royal College of Physicians presented their Materia Medica collection to Trinity College, and one of these samples was “Sarsaparilla”. The sample was obtained by the RCPI from ‘Messers. Allen and Hanbury, London’ a British Pharmaceutical Manufacturer after being displayed at the International Exhibition in London in 1862.

As aforementioned, there are many species of Smilax and it would be difficult to say with certainty exactly what species this sample is, but it is likely Smilax regelii, commonly known as Honduran Sarsaparilla, based on where it was collected. While other types of Sarsaparilla, such as Smilax ornata, commonly known as Jamaican Sarsaparilla are now found and cultivated on Chiriqui Volcano, given that the sample is from 1851 it is likely Honduran Sarsaparilla which is native to the area. There is great confusion between Honduran and Jamaican Sarsaparilla as the names have been used interchangeably, especially in trade during the 19th and 20th centuries. Smilax regelii were once considered synonymic varieties but newer classifications keep the two separate distinct species. Largely, their functions are also very similar. Smilax from Latin America was often labelled as Smilax officinalis as a ‘catch-all-term’ for all species.

Active Ingredients:

• Steroidal saponins - sarsaponin ,smilacina, parilli and diosgenin

• Phytosterols sitosterol, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol.

• At least 50 flavonoids and phenolic compounds

Historical and Traditional Medicinal Use of Sarsaparilla:

• Sarsaparilla was one of the primary remedies used by the indigenous people of the Americas, such as the Aztecs, the Mayans and the Incas. Sarsaparilla root was used to treat chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, boils and eczema as well as being considered a blood-purifier, detoxifying the body. It was employed for the treatment of rheumatism, syphilis, and other venereal diseases - King's American Dispensatory, 1898

• Once introduced to Europe via Spanish colonisation in the 19th Century, Europe adopted its use for the treatment of syphilis, Gout and rheumatism and Scrofula, which is a form of Tuberculosis.

Modern Use:

While it is not widely used in modern conventional medicine, it remains a popular herbal medicine particularly for skin conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and hormonal support. It is usually sold as a tea or a supplement

Pharmacological Effects

• Extract from the Sarsaparilla root has a significant anti-inflammatory and effective analgesic effect when tested on rats potentially explaining its historic use to treat rheumatism

• Anti-inflammatory effect by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1B and TNF-alpha

• Antioxidative effect, reducing Reactive oxygen species and protecting against oxidative stress

• Antimicrobial effect against Candida Albicans, bacteria and HIV

• It may possess have a neuroprotective, cardioprotective and anticancer properties

Side Effects:
Lack study, but increased diuresis and GI irritations have been reported

Sample #37/43