Sarsaparilla: Benefits, Risks, and Side Effects

Sarsaparilla is a tropical vine long used in traditional remedies for ailments such as arthritis, psoriasis, and syphilis.

Sarsaparilla refers to plants in the genus Smilax. These climbing, woody vines creep through the rainforest canopy and are native to South America, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, and the West Indies. Numerous Smilax species are commonly classified as sarsaparilla, including:

• S. officinalis
• S. japicanga
• S. febrifuga
• S. regelii
• S. aristolochiaefolia
• S. ornata
• S. glabra

History

For hundreds of years indigenous peoples used sarsaparilla root to address joint disorders like arthritis and to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. The root was also regarded as a remedy for Hansen’s disease (leprosy), attributed to its perceived “blood-cleansing” qualities.

Sarsaparilla later entered European herbal medicine and was eventually listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of syphilis.

Other names for sarsaparilla

The plant is known by many local and regional names. Alternative names for sarsaparilla include:

• salsaparrilha
• khao yen
• saparna
• smilace
• smilax
• zarzaparilla
• jupicanga
• liseron epineux
• salsepareille
• sarsa
• ba qia

Sarsaparilla drink

Sarsaparilla is also the name of a soft drink that gained popularity in the early 1800s. It was commonly used as a home remedy and often served in taverns.

Contrary to what many believe, traditional sarsaparilla beverages were usually made from sassafras rather than true sarsaparilla. The flavor is comparable to root beer or birch beer. While still consumed in parts of Southeast Asia, the beverage is now uncommon in the United States.

Although specialty shops and online retailers sell sarsaparilla-style drinks, modern versions typically do not include actual sarsaparilla or sassafras; they rely on natural and artificial flavorings to recreate the taste.

The benefits

Sarsaparilla root contains numerous phytochemicals thought to be beneficial to human health. Saponins may help alleviate joint pain and skin itchiness and possess antibacterial properties. Other constituents may reduce inflammation and offer liver protection. It’s important to emphasize that human clinical evidence for many of these claims is limited or outdated. The research cited below often used isolated plant compounds, cell-culture experiments, or animal models. These findings are promising but require confirmation in human trials.

1. Psoriasis

Historical reports document sarsaparilla root’s use for psoriasis. One study reported marked improvement of skin lesions in psoriasis patients after sarsaparilla treatment. The authors proposed that a principal steroid in sarsaparilla, sarsaponin, can bind endotoxins implicated in psoriasis and help remove them from the body.

2. Arthritis

Sarsaparilla exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it useful for inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and for easing joint pain and swelling seen with gout.

3. Syphilis

Sarsaparilla has demonstrated activity against pathogenic bacteria and other microbes. While not as potent as modern antibiotics and antifungals, it historically was used to treat severe infections such as Hansen’s disease (leprosy) and syphilis. Syphilis is an STD caused by a bacterium, and Hansen’s disease is another serious bacterial infection.

Recent work has documented sarsaparilla’s antimicrobial potential. One paper examined more than 60 phenolic constituents isolated from sarsaparilla, testing them against six bacteria and one fungal species. The study identified 18 compounds with antibacterial activity and one compound active against the fungus.

4. Cancer

A recent study found anticancer effects of sarsaparilla in various cancer cell lines and in mice. Preclinical investigations in breast cancer and liver cancer models have also revealed antitumor activity. Further research is necessary to determine whether sarsaparilla could play a role in cancer prevention or therapy.

5. Protecting the liver

Sarsaparilla has shown hepatoprotective effects. Research in rats with liver injury found that flavonoid-rich extracts from sarsaparilla helped reverse liver damage and supported improved liver function.

6. Improving the bioavailability of other supplements

Sarsaparilla is sometimes included in herbal formulas as a “synergist.” The saponins it contains are believed to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of other herbal ingredients.

Side effects

There are no widely recognized side effects associated with typical sarsaparilla use. However, large doses of saponins can irritate the stomach. Keep in mind that dietary supplements and herbs are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same rigorous way as prescription drugs.

Sarsaparilla may interact with certain medications by increasing their absorption. Contact your physician promptly if you experience adverse reactions while taking sarsaparilla.

Risks

Sarsaparilla is generally viewed as safe. The main hazards are misleading marketing and inaccurate information.

Fraudulent claims

Some supplement vendors have falsely promoted sarsaparilla as containing anabolic steroids such as testosterone. Although plant steroids in sarsaparilla can be chemically converted to anabolic steroids in laboratory settings, there is no evidence that this occurs within the human body. While many bodybuilding products include sarsaparilla, the herb itself has not been proven to possess anabolic effects.

False ingredients

Do not confuse true sarsaparilla with Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus). Indian sarsaparilla is sometimes used in sarsaparilla products but contains different active compounds than the Smilax species.

Pregnancy risks

There are no reliable studies demonstrating sarsaparilla’s safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. To be cautious, pregnant or nursing women should avoid medicinal herbs like sarsaparilla unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.

Where to buy it

Sarsaparilla is sold at health food stores and online in forms such as tablets, teas, capsules, tinctures, and powders. Examples available on Amazon include:

• Nature’s Way Sarsaparilla Root Capsules, 100 count, $9.50
• Buddha Tea’s Sarsaparilla Tea, 18 tea bags, $9
• Herb Pharm Sarsaparilla Extract, 1 ounce, $10
• Sarsaparilla Root Powder, 1 pound powder, $31

The takeaway

Phytochemicals in sarsaparilla root have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and skin- and joint-healing activities in laboratory and animal research. Sarsaparilla is regarded as safe for most adults, but consumers should be skeptical of exaggerated claims. The herb has not been proven to cure cancer or other serious diseases, nor is there evidence it provides anabolic effects prized by some athletes.

If you are considering sarsaparilla for a health condition, consult your healthcare provider before beginning use. Although sarsaparilla may help certain conditions, it may not be the optimal therapy for your situation. Your clinician may advise using sarsaparilla only alongside conventional treatments or may recommend against it altogether.