Evidence supporting the use of: Smilagenin
For the body system: Adrenal Cortex

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Smilagenin is a steroidal sapogenin found in certain plants like Smilax species (e.g., sarsaparilla). Its use to support the adrenal cortex is primarily rooted in traditional herbal medicine rather than in modern scientific validation. In folk and alternative medicine, plants containing smilagenin have historically been used as "tonics" or "adaptogens" thought to support overall vitality and endocrine function, including the adrenal glands. However, contemporary scientific research directly linking smilagenin or smilax extracts to specific adrenal cortex support is lacking. Most claims are based on the general saponin content and their purported adaptogenic effects, but such assertions have not been substantiated by robust clinical studies. Some early herbalists theorized that the structural similarity of plant sterols and sapogenins to human steroid hormones could influence hormone production, but this hypothesis has not been validated. Therefore, the use of smilagenin for adrenal cortex support is largely traditional, with limited evidence beyond historical use and anecdotal reports.

More about Smilagenin
More about Adrenal Cortex

Other body systems supported by Smilagenin

Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Glands
Glandular System

Products containing Smilagenin

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.