Sarsaparilla: purifying remedy that relieves skin problems, rheumatic pain and kidney conditions.
- 2014
Sarsaparilla is a great purifying remedy of the organism.
Sarsaparilla is considered the best depurative remedy to relieve skin problems and kidney conditions. A species grows in Europe, Smilax aspera, which does not have as much purifying capacity as the sarsaparrillas of tropical America.
Sarsaparilla is a vine plant, which can reach about 15 meters in length. Its spiny branches cling to and thrive in tree branches or mediate in bushy layers. European sarsaparilla is very common in forests, hedges and shrubs. But much more appreciated are the American sarsaparrillas in phytotherapy (Smilax ornata, Smilax officinalis, Smilax medica, Smilax febrifuga and Smilax siphilitica).
Purifying remedy
Although the fruits, especially of the European species, have been used in folk medicine as an antidote against poisonings, the truth is that they are toxic due to their high saponin content. In phytotherapy, the root is used, powdered or crushed, which is usually collected in spring or autumn. It contains an essential oil, saponins such as sarsapogenin, choline and mineral salts. In tropical species it also highlights its content in sarsopic acid, in unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and palmitic acids, starch and a glucoside, sarsaponin.
Sarsaparilla is an excellent blood cleanser, indicated to increase the emission of urine and promote the elimination of excess acidic acid. Relieves rheumatic pain and gout. It is recommended to combat the different impurities of the skin, such as acne, the appearance of eczema or foramen, hives and dermatosis. Two formulas of similar effects are proposed for this purpose.
In the first, European sarsaparilla is used, combined with other purifying plants, such as burdock, dandelion and corn beards, in equal parts. Two flat tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water. Boil two minutes, leave 10 more at rest and strain. It is about drinking at small doses throughout the day. It can be stored in the fridge.
In the second formula it is taken as a depurative remedy to facilitate the elimination of toxins and as a support for bladder and kidney conditions, it can be mixed with nettle, smoke, horsetail and Walnut leaves, in equal parts. Boil two minutes, leave 10 minutes more infusion, strain and take on an empty stomach, two cups daily.
European sarsaparilla has been used, although to a lesser extent, as a febrifuge and expectorant, in the case of influenza and in chronic bronchitis, and as a digestive tract, to alleviate heavy digestion and other intestinal disorders, with ocular diarrhea
High doses and prolonged treatment with sarsaparilla should be avoided, and if it is used as a diuretic, in case of hypertension or renal failure, it is essential to have medical advice. It is also contraindicated in case of acute nephritis due to the potentially irritating effect of saponins on the kidney.
