Sarsaparilla's therapeutic uses

DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.

• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, cancer (anticancer), menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunction, sports and fitness support and performance enhancement, liver health, cognitive function, skin conditions, joint pain

Overview

Climbing plants in the sarsaparilla family are found in many parts of the world. The most common form, Smilax officinalis, is grown primarily in Jamaica. Other common forms include S. glyciphylla (Australia), S. japicanga (Brazil), S. glabra (Sri Lanka), S. china (China), and S. luzonensis (Malaysia). The root is the part of the plant that is used medicinally.

Traditionally, various forms of sarsaparilla have been used to treat cancer, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin diseases. These uses are all tied together by an outdated treatment concept known as blood purification. It was thought that numerous ailments, including skin diseases, cancer, and other conditions, were caused by impurities in the blood. Herbs said to have blood-purifying properties, such as sarsaparilla, were used to correct this traditionally acknowledged problem. Additionally, sarsaparilla was recommended for joint pain, “female problems,” and syphilis.

An entirely different plant, Aralia nudicaulis, is sometimes called wild sarsaparilla. However, it is more closely related to ginseng than to the forms of sarsaparilla discussed here. Sarsaparilla should also not be confused with sassafras, a flavoring traditionally used in root beer.

Therapeutic Dosages

A typical dose of sarsaparilla is 2 to 4 grams (g) three times daily. Various tinctures are also available; these should be taken according to label instructions.

Therapeutic Uses

Meaningful scientific support is needed to confirm the therapeutic uses of sarsaparilla. Relatively weak evidence suggests possible antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects, among other potential uses. Some proposed uses have begun to be supported through test tube and animal studies. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are necessary to confirm whether these treatments work. 

Like other herbs, sarsaparilla contains substances in the saponin family. One of these, sarsasapogenin, is often said to reproduce the effect of various hormones. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this claim. Based on traditional usage, sarsaparilla is sold as a treatment for psoriasis and other skin problems, as well as cancer, menstrual disorders, and asthma. Emerging animal studies have begun to show that sarsaparilla may provide benefits for psoriasis, but additional scientific study is needed. Other uses needing scientific support include enhancement of sexual function, improvement of mental function in Alzheimer’s disease, protection of the liver, and improvement of sports performance. Animal studies, however, have shown sarsaparilla may have protective effects on the liver. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of sarsaparilla may protect against free radicals that cause chronic health conditions. 

Some studies have found antitumor functions of sarsaparilla and posit the herb may inhibit TGF-β1 signaling in cancer cells, but further research is needed to confirm this use.

Safety Issues

Although the use of sarsaparilla has not been associated with any serious adverse consequences, comprehensive safety studies have not been performed. Sarsaparilla is traditionally not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Safety in young children and people with liver or kidney disease is also questionable.

As with most substances taken orally, sarsaparilla may cause gastrointestinal distress. Germany’s Commission E also reports short-term “kidney irritation” as a side effect. Precisely what this means, however, remains unclear.

Note that although various species of sarsaparilla are often used somewhat interchangeably, some varieties of this plant may be safer than others. Finally, some sarsaparilla products have been found to contain unsafe levels of lead.

Bibliography

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Khan, Ahmad K., et al. "Investigation of the Anti-inflammatory and the Analgesic Effects of the Extracts from Smilax Ornata Lem. (Jamaican Sarsaparilla) Plant." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 240, 2019, p. 111830, doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111830. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Kuo, Y. H., et al. "Cytotoxic Phenylpropanoid Glycosides from the Stems of Smilax china." Journal of Natural Products, vol. 68, 2005, pp. 1475-8.

Martin, Brett R. "Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis With Acupuncture, Turmeric (Curcuma Longa), Sarsaparilla (Smilax Officinalis) and Vitamin D: A Case Report." Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, vol. 19, no. 3, 2020, pp. 194-200, doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2019.12.005. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Park, Gunhyuk, et al. "Antioxidant Effects of the Sarsaparilla via Scavenging of Reactive Oxygen Species and Induction of Antioxidant Enzymes in Human Dermal Fibroblasts." Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, vol. 38, no. 1, 2014, pp. 305-15, doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2014.06.009. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

"Sarsaparilla." Drugs.com, 22 July 2025, www.drugs.com/npp/sarsaparilla.html. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

She, Tiantian, et al. "Sarsaparilla (Smilax Glabra Rhizome) Extract Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Cancer Cells by Suppressing TGF-β1 Pathway." PLOS ONE, vol. 10, no. 3, 2015, p. e0118287, doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118287. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Sheldon, Dawn. “Is Sarsaparilla Good For You? A Look at the Research on Health Claims.” Verywell Health, 20 Aug. 2025, www.verywellhealth.com/sarsaparilla-benefits-4582510. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Xu, J., et al. "Anti-inflammatory Constituents from the Roots of Smilax bockii Warb." Archives of Pharmacal Research, vol. 28, 2005, pp. 395-9.