Sarsaparilla. Smilax officinalis.

Synonyms—Jamaica, Honduras or Spanish Sarsaparilla.

CONSTITUENTS—

Parillin, sarsa-saponin, saponin, volatile oil.

PREPARATIONS—

Extractum Sarsaparillae Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Sarsaparilla. Dose, from one-half to one dram.

Extractum Sarsaparillae Fluidum Compositum, Compound Fluid Extract of Sarsaparilla. Dose, from one-half to one dram.

Therapy—This agent is an active eliminant, possessing diuretic and alterative properties to a marked degree. It has long been a popular remedy for the treatment of blood dyscrasias, but is nearly always given in combination with other well known specific alteratives. In combination with potassium iodide, stillingia, corydalis, phytolacca, podophyllum, or other alteratives, it has been given in scrofula and secondary syphilis, and especially in cutaneous diseases depending upon blood dyscrasia, and in rheumatic and gouty conditions, with inactive kidneys irritated from the presence of large quantities of uric acid and the urates. It is not at present in general use.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.