Synopsis

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

Smilax species, particularly Smilax officinalis and Smilax china, have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and indigenous practices in the Americas. Historically, Smilax roots (often called sarsaparilla) have been used as a general tonic and to treat a variety of ailments, including urinary tract complaints such as dysuria (painful urination), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney-related inflammations. These uses are documented in ethnobotanical texts and historical pharmacopeias, where Smilax is described as a "blood purifier" and diuretic, believed to help flush toxins and pathogens from the urinary tract.

However, while these traditional uses are well-recorded, the scientific evidence supporting Smilax for UTIs remains limited. Modern research has identified some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in Smilax extracts, including saponins and flavonoids, which could theoretically be relevant to urinary tract health. Nonetheless, no high-quality clinical trials have directly evaluated Smilax for the treatment or prevention of UTIs in humans. Most available evidence comes from in vitro (test tube) or animal studies, which are not sufficient to support its clinical use for this indication. As such, the justification for Smilax in urinary tract infections is primarily traditional, with a low-to-moderate level of supporting evidence.

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