Smilax aristolochiifolia
gray sarsaparilla[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species:
S. aristolochiifolia
Binomial name
Smilax aristolochiifolia
Synonyms[2]
  • Smilax kerberi F.W.Apt
  • Smilax medica Schltdl. & Cham.

Smilax aristolochiifolia, also known as gray sarsaparilla,[3] Mexican sarsaparilla,[3] sarsaparilla,[3] is a species in the genus Smilax and the family Smilacaceae, native to Mexico and Central America.[4][5] It is widely used as traditional medicine to treat many symptoms.[6]

Description

Sarsaparilla is a perennial woody climber with tendrils, thin branches and extended ovate leaves that grows about 4 to 5 meters vertically.[6][7] Its paper-like leaves are pinnate veined, leathery and alternatively arranged.[8][9][10] The leaves' width ranges from 10 to 30 cm and the petioles' length is about 5 cm.[7] It is known for its small red berries with 2 or 3 seeds and small green flowers.[6][7] The flowers are radially symmetrical, dioecious and have umbel inflorescence of 12 flowers.[8][9][11] The berries are produced in the fall or in the late summer[9] and stays intact through the winter for animals and birds to eat.[12] Thus the pollination occurs as the unharmed seeds are found in the feces.[12] The surface of the stem is smooth; it also is bent and have thorns at the joints.[7][13] The hairy roots of sarsaparilla are fibrous and may have few rootlets growing out.[7][14] They have stiff surface and are deep-rooted, which grows from 2 to 2.5 meters.[7][13] The color of the roots ranges from brownish gray to black.[13] Sarsaparilla is a persistent plant; even when most roots are cut off from the stem, roots will grow few years later but will be slender and less starchy.[7]

Habitat

Sarsaparilla is common in wooded areas because it uses its tendrils to climb up the trees.[9] It is widely found in temperate, swampy and warm areas.[7][15] Sarsaparilla is also found in high elevations; in Nuevo León, Mexico, it is found at elevation of 1760 meters, in Oaxaca at 100 meters, in Hacienda San José, Santa Ana at 850 to 1100 meters.[16]

Distribution

Smilax aristolochiifolia is native to Mexico and Central America.[17] Sarsaparilla is native to the Mesoamerica region, especially in Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala.[17] In North America, sarsaparilla originates in Southern Mexico, being found primarily in the states of Tabasco, Veracruz, Yucatán,[17] Nuevo León, Puebla, Oaxaca, and Quintana Roo.[16] In El Salvador, sarsaparilla is located in Hacienda San José, Santa Ana.[16]

Usage

Food

Its roots are extracted to be used in flavoring beverages, dairy desserts, baked goods and candies.[18] Sarsaparilla was once a main ingredient for flavoring root beer.[18] However, the taste of the root extract itself is sweet and bitter.[13]

Medicinal

Smilax aristolochiifolia root has extensive medicinal uses.[6] As the traditional medicine, it is used to treat leprosy, tumors, cancer, psoriasis and rheumatism.[18] It is also used as tonic for anemia and skin diseases.[6] It is reported to have anti-inflammatory, testosterogenic, aphrodisiac and progesterogenic effects.[6][18] Therefore, sarsaparilla roots are often promoted as male rejuvenator.[19] Not only that but it was used to build lean body mass by some gym enthusiasts.[6] Also it is believed to improve digestion and arouse appetite.[6] Natives in New Guinea use the stem of sarsaparilla as treatment for toothache.[18] However, no definite scientific evidence is given to the medicinal effects of sarsaparilla and in excessive doses, it can be harmful.[18]

Active chemicals

Sarsaparilla roots has saponins which are used to synthesize cortisone and other steroids.[6] Saponins are known to help the body absorb other drugs more effectively.[18] However, they are plant steroids and it is believed they cannot be absorbed or used in human body.[19] It also has organic acids, flavonoids, sitosterol and stigmasterol.[6] Main chemicals of sarsaparilla are acetyl-parigenin, astilbin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoyl-shikimic acids, dihydroquercetin, diosgenin, engeletin, essential oils, epsilon-sitosterol, eucryphin, eurryphin, ferulic acid, glucopyranosides, isoastilbin, isoengetitin, kaempferol, parigenin, parillin, pollinastanol, resveratrol, rhamnose, saponin, sarasaponin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin, sarsasapogenin, shikimic acid, sitosterol-d-glucoside, smilagenin, smilasaponin, smilax saponins A-C, smiglaside A-E, smitilbin, stigmasterol, taxifolin, and titogenin.[12]

Name

It is also known as Smilax medica and Smilax aristolochiaefolia.[5][6] Spanish common names include zarzaparrilla, cocolmeca and alambrilla. The name Sarsaparilla means a small bushed vine, from Spanish words zarza (bramble or bush), parra (vine), and illa (small).[20]

References

  1. ↑ Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
  2. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Smilax aristolochiifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  5. 1 2 "Plants profile". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Wyk, Ben-Erik (2004). Medicinal Plants of the World. Oregon, USA: Timber Press, INC. p. 303. ISBN 978-0881926026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla". A Manual of Materia Medica and Pharmacology. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  8. 1 2 Grieve. "Sarsaparilla, Wild". Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Smilax (Smilax spp.)". University of Florida. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  10. ↑ Chen, Shi-Chao; Ying-Xiong Qiu; Ai-Li Wang; Kenneth Cameron (2006). "A phylogenetic analysis of the Smilacaceae based on morphological data" (PDF). Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica. 44 (2): 113–125. doi:10.1360/aps050065. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  11. ↑ "Smilacaceae". University of Wisconsin. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  12. 1 2 3 "Smilax spp.- Zarzaparrilla". Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Mexican Sarsaparilla". Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  14. ↑ Cáceres, Armando; Sully M. Cruz; Vicente Martínez (23 Nov 2011). "Ethnobotanical, pharmacognostical, pharmacological and phytochemical studies on Smilax domingensis in Guatemala". Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 22 (2). Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  15. ↑ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sarsaparilla" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 223.
  16. 1 2 3 "Map of Smilax aristolochiaefolia". Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  17. 1 2 3 "Germplasm Resources Information Network". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Duke, James (1985). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Florida, USA: CRC Press. p. 446. ISBN 978-0849329289.
  19. 1 2 "Encyclopedia of Herbs". Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  20. ↑ "Database Entry: Sarsaparilla". Retrieved 2012-04-24.
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