Evidence supporting the use of: Jamaican Sarsaparilla
For the health condition: Cirrhosis of the Liver

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Synopsis

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

Jamaican Sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii, also known as Smilax ornata) has a longstanding use in Caribbean folk medicine and other traditional systems, where it is reputed to support "blood cleansing," detoxification, and liver health. Within Jamaica and parts of Central and South America, preparations of sarsaparilla root have been used for ailments believed to involve the liver, including jaundice and other signs of hepatic dysfunction. However, these uses are grounded in traditional beliefs about the plant’s “purifying” properties rather than any clear evidence of efficacy for treating cirrhosis specifically.

Scientifically, there is limited data on sarsaparilla’s impact on liver disease. Some laboratory studies have identified antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in sarsaparilla, such as saponins and flavonoids, which theoretically could have liver-protective effects. However, rigorous clinical trials in humans with cirrhosis are lacking, and there is no direct evidence to support its use for treating or reversing cirrhosis. Major pharmacological reviews and reputable medical sources do not list sarsaparilla as an evidence-based therapy for cirrhosis. Thus, while its use is well-established in tradition, scientific support is minimal and derives mostly from general antioxidant properties rather than condition-specific studies.

In summary, Jamaican sarsaparilla is used in traditional medicine to support liver health, but there is little scientific validation for its use in cirrhosis of the liver.

More about Jamaican Sarsaparilla
More about Cirrhosis of the Liver

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