Smilax febrifuga
Kunth
Ecuadorian Sarsaparilla
Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium (ASU-Plants)
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
MBG
What to Eat
Edible parts: Root
Condiment. Root extracts are used to flavour soft drinks ice cream, confectionery and bakery products.
Where to Find It
S. America - Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana.
SOUTHERN AMERICA: Ecuador, Peru (Amazonas, Cusco, Huánuco, Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martín)
How to Identify
Smilax febrifuga is an evergreen Climber growing to 12 m (39ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
Succeeds in sun or partial shade. Tolerant of a range of soil types.
Propagation: Seed -
Medicinal Uses
Acrid Alterative Antiinflammatory Antipruritic Antirheumatic Antiseptic Digestive Febrifuge Kidney Skin. Ecuadorian sarsaparilla (the roots and rhizome) is a sweet, acrid, alterative herb that reduces inflammation, controls itching, improves digestion and elimination and is antiseptic. This is one of three species (the others are S. Aristolochiifolia and S. regelii) that gained a high reputation in the 17th century as cure-alls. They were widely imported into Europe until early in the 20th century, by which time their rather overrated reputation had waned somewhat. However, the plants do have a number of important medicinal benefits - in particular, their roots contain steroidal saponins which are an efective treatment for many cases of psoriasis; they also have hormonal effects, and may improve fertility in women with ovarian dysfunction. The rhizomes are alterative, digestive, febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of fevers, digestive disorders, kidney troubles and gonorrhoea. It is also used against scrophulus, skin diseases and rheumatism.
Names & Synonyms
ecuadorian sarsaparilla, sarsaparilla, sarsaparillae radix, sarsaparillewurzel.
