Synopsis

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

Smilax, commonly known as sarsaparilla, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Central and South America, as well as in traditional Chinese medicine. In these systems, smilax roots have been employed to treat a variety of ailments, including joint pain and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The traditional rationale for its use centers around its purported "blood-purifying" and anti-inflammatory properties, and it was often included in herbal formulas for chronic rheumatic diseases. Some ethnobotanical records note its use for "rheumatism" or "arthritis" symptoms, which were not always distinguished as rheumatoid arthritis specifically.

From a scientific perspective, while smilax contains compounds such as saponins, flavonoids, and phytosterols that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies, there is a notable lack of robust clinical trials or well-designed studies directly evaluating its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Most of the available evidence comes from animal models or in vitro experiments, which suggest some potential for reducing inflammation. However, this is insufficient to draw firm conclusions about its benefits in human rheumatoid arthritis. As such, smilax's use for rheumatoid arthritis remains primarily justified by tradition, with only limited scientific support, and should be approached with caution in clinical practice.

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