sarsaparilla

sarsaparilla

Castilian: sarsaparilla, barbecue sauce, Moorish blackberry, grape dog.

English: Sarsaparilla, salsaparilla.

With the name of sarsaparilla designating more than 200 species of Smilax, distributed by the warm and humid regions of the globe. Usually the name of their place of origin (sarsaparilla Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Europe, etc.

FEATURES: It is a climbing plant several meters in length, which is perched on the trees to reach the cup. The flowers are small clusters white flowers with six pieces that will develop as many fruits, red cherries and small. The rhizome, woody, form an extensive underground network for its many ramifications full of knots of which arise triangular leaves that surround it; knots arise from the same roots, and soon branched commas, which grow vertically downward. The rhizomes can reach several meters in length, sometimes even longer than the stem air.

LOCATION: Except for the European, living across America, from Mexico to Brazil in the rainforest.

Used Part.

The root.

ACTIVE: They are in the rhizome, where it accumulates especially parrillina, a saponin characteristic of the American species, also contain carbohydrates, tannins and mineral salts.

Medicinal properties: It is diuretic, sudorific and purifying. The Spaniards found, to his arrival in America, which the Aborigines were already using the plant to cure various ills, and christened with the name of sarsaparilla by the similarity with the growth in Spain (the "Europe") which also awarded the properties to it, without knowing that their active ingredients are not the same. They believed that even used to cure syphilis.

COLLECTING: At any time of year. It goes without booting the whole plant; enough to collect a portion of long rhizomes and leave the rest, enough so that the plant does not die.

USES AND APPLICATIONS: In decoction, are boiled for 50 grams per liter of water rhizome. Will take two or three glasses a day is a solution to stimulate the secretion of urine and sweat glands, the latter useful for curing acne (perspiration removes toxic substances accumulated in grains) With the dry rhizome, can be replaced by an infusion decoction.

In America, and especially in Mexico, was made a refreshing drink from sarsaparilla root that gave rise to modern cola drinks.

Sarsaparilla with fruit, which could be nurtured clusters; its rhizomes often reaches several meters in length, and sometimes it is longer than the stem. The root of this species (Smilax officinalis) typical of tropical America, provides the "glue" used in the manufacture of soft drinks.

Clusters of fruit in the Mediterranean Europe from zarzaparrilla, Smilax aspera.

Indications.

States that require an increase in urine output: genitourinary disorders (cystitis, ureteritis, urethritis, oliguria, urolithiasis) hiperazotemia, hyperuricemia, gout, high blood pressure, edema, overweight accompanied by fluid retention.

Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma.

It has also been used as depurative in dermatological problems: acne, eczema, ichthyosis, psoriasis, rheumatism in the joints or to "lower the blood", from which it derives its popular name of "mermasangre. ".

Contraindications.

Do not prescribe oral dosage forms with alcohol content to children under two years or consultants in the process of alcohol addiction.

Caution / Poisoning.

At high doses, can cause gastroenteritis.

Due to the presence of saponosides with hemolytic action (although it has only been tested experimentally in vitro and in animals after parenteral administration) we recommend prescribing in discontinuities.

Take into account the alcohol content of the fluid extract and tincture.

Its use as a diuretic in the presence of hypertension, heart disease or kidney failure moderate or severe, should be done only by prescription and under medical supervision, to the danger that can result in uncontrolled contribution of liquids, the possibility of an uncompensated tension.

Galenica forms / Dosage.

Decoction: 1 tablespoon per cup dessert. Boil 10 minutes, and infuse for 10. Three cups a day, half an hour before meals.

Fluid extract (1: 1) 30 - 50 drops, one to four times a day.

Tincture (1: 5) 50 - 100 drops, two to four times a day.

Dry extract (5: 1) 300 mg / dose, one to three times a day.

Bibliography.

Benigni, R; Capra, C; Cattorini, P. Piante Medicinali. Chimica, Pharmacology and Therapy. Milano: Inverni & Della Beffa, 1962, pp. 1402 - 8.

Bézanger - Beauquesne, L; Pinkas, M; Torck, M. Dans la Plantes Les Thérapeutiques Moderne. 2. Paris: Maloine, 1986, pp. 394 - 5.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Vol. I. Bournemouth, Dorset: British Herbal Medical Association, 1990, pp. 78 - 9.

Bruneton, J. Elements of Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy. Zaragoza: Acribia, 1991, p. 323.

Lastra, JJ; Bachiller, LI. Medicinal Plants in Asturias, Cantabria and the cornice. Gijón: Ediciones Trea, 1997, pp. 234 - 6.

Le Floc'h, E. Etude Ethnobotanique une contribution to the Flore Tunisienne. Imprimerie officielle de la République Tunisienne, 1983, p. 69.

Paris, RR; Moyse, M. Summary of Matter Médicale. Take II. Paris: Masson, 1967, p. 54.

Peris, JB; Stübing, G; Figuerola, R. Guide to Medicinal Plants of Valencia. Valencia: Las Provincias, 1996, p. 336.

Rivera, D; Obon, C. The Guide INCAFE of useful and Poisonous Plants of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearics. Madrid: INCAFE, 1991, pp. 187; 1129 - 31.

Samuelsson, G. Drugs of Natural Origin. A Textbook of Pharmacognosy. Stockholm: Swedish Pharmaceutical Press, 1992, p. 178.

Trease, GE, Evans, WCh. Pharmacognosy. Mexico City: Inter - MacGraw - Hill, 1991, p. 528.

Van Hellemont, J. Compendium of Phytothérapie. Bruxelles: Association Pharmaceutique Belge, 1986, pp. 374 - 7.

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