Smilax aristolochiifolia

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Smilax aristolochiifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species: S. aristolochiifolia
Binomial name
Smilax aristolochiifolia
L.f.

The Mexican sarsaparilla, also known as Smilax aristolochiifolia is a species in the genus Smilax and the family Smilacaceae.[1] It is widely used as traditional medicine to treat many symptoms.[2]

Description

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

Habitat

Sarsaparilla is common in wooded areas because it uses its tendrils to climb up the trees.[6] It is widely found in temperate, swampy and warm areas.[3][12] 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 Jose, Santa Ana at 850 to 1100 meters.[13]

Distribution

Smilax aristolochiifolia originates in South America and North America.[14] Specifically in South America, sarsaparilla is native to the Mesoamerica region, especially in Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala.[14] In North America, sarsaparilla originates in Southern Mexico, being found primariy in the states of Tabasco, Veracruz, Yucatán,[14] Nuevo León, Puebla, Oaxaca, and Quintana Roo.[13] In El Salvador, sarsaparilla is located in Hacienda San Jose, Santa Ana.[13]

Usage

Food

Its roots are extracted to be used in flavoring beverages, dairy desserts, baked goods and candies.[15] Sarsaparilla was once a main ingredient for flavoring root beer.[15] However, the taste of the root extract it self is sweet and bitter.[10]

Medicinal

Smilax aristolochiifolia root has extensive medicinal uses.[2] As the traditional medicine, it is used to treat leprosy, tumors, cancer, psoriasis and rheumatism.[4][15] It is also used as tonic for anemia and skin diseases.[2] It is reported to be have anti-inflammatory, testosterogenic, aphrodisiac and progesterogenic effects.[2][15] Therefore, sarsaparilla roots are often promoted as male rejuvenator.[16] Not only that but it was used to build lean body mass by some gym enthusiasts.[2] Also it is believed to improve digestion and arouse appetite.[2] Natives in New Guinea use the stem of sarsaparilla as treatment for toothache.[15] However, no definite scientific evidence is given to the medicinal effects of sarsaparilla and in excessive doses, it can be harmful.[15]

Active chemicals

Sarsaparilla roots has saponins which are used to synthesize cortisone and oher steroids.[2] Saponins which are known to help the body absorb other drugs more effectively.[15] However, they are plant steroids and it is believed they cannot be absorbed or used in human body.[16] It also has organic acids, flavonoids, sitosterol and stigmasterol.[2] 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.[9]

Name

It is also known as Smilax medica and Smilax aristolochiaefolia.[1][2] Other common names include zarzaparilla, cocolmeca and alambrilla.[4] The name Sarsaparilla means a small bushed vine, from Spanish words zarza (bramble or bush), parra (vine), and illa (small).[17]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Plants profile". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2012-04-19. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Wyk, Ben-Erik (2004). Medicinal Plants of the World. Oregon, USA: Timber Press, INC. p. 303. ISBN 0881926027. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla". A Manual of Materia Medica and Pharmacology. Retrieved 2012-04-28. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Velasco-Lezama, Rodolfo; Gonzalez Ramirez Claudia (2006). "Hematopoiteic activity of Smilax aristolochiaefolia in vitro and in vivo". Pharmacologyonline 3: 830–838. Retrieved 2012-04-19. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Grieve. "Sarsaparilla, Wild". Retrieved 2012-04-29. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Smilax (Smilax spp.)". University of Florida. Retrieved 2012-04-28. 
  7. ↑ Chen, Shi-Chao; Ying-Xiong Qiu; Ai-Li Wang; Kenneth Cameron (2006). "A phylogenetic analysis of the Smilacaceae based on morphological data". Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica 44 (2): 113–125. Retrieved 2012-04-28. 
  8. ↑ "Smilacaceae". University of Wisconsin. Retrieved 2012-04-28. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Smilax spp.- Zarzaparrilla". Retrieved 2012-04-29. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Mexican Sarsaparilla". Retrieved 2012-04-28. 
  11. ↑ 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. 
  12. ↑ "Sarsaparilla". Retrieved 2012-04-29. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Map of Smilax aristolochiaefolia". Retrieved 2012-04-29. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Germplasm Resources Information Network". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2012-04-27. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Duke, James (1985). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Florida, USA: CRC Press. p. 446. ISBN 0849329280. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Encyclopedia of Herbs". Retrieved 2012-04-26. 
  17. ↑ "Database Entry: Sarsaparilla". Retrieved 2012-04-24. 
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