Evidence supporting the use of: Jamaican Sarsaparilla
For the health condition: Rashes and Hives

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Jamaican Sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii and related species) has a long history of use in Caribbean and traditional herbal medicine for skin conditions, including rashes and hives. Folk practitioners have employed sarsaparilla as a "blood purifier," suggesting that it removes toxins that could manifest as skin eruptions. The plant’s roots contain saponins and other phytochemicals, which were believed to possess anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. In the 19th century, sarsaparilla was used in Europe and the Americas to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, and various forms of dermatitis, sometimes in combination with other herbs.

However, while there is some laboratory evidence that sarsaparilla extracts may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, rigorous clinical trials supporting its efficacy for rashes and hives are lacking. The traditional use is well-documented in herbal texts and anecdotal accounts, but scientific validation is limited. Thus, the evidence supporting its use for rashes and hives is mostly traditional and historical, rather than based on modern clinical research.

More about Jamaican Sarsaparilla
More about Rashes and Hives

Products containing Jamaican Sarsaparilla

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