10 Health Benefits of Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla is a plant that is found growing naturally in South America. It is a member of the Smilax genus and is a type of vine with woody stems. It is often used to make a soft drink of the same name, while it is also a main ingredient in root beer. It is also used as an ingredient in similar beverages worldwide.
As well as being used as a flavoring for drinks, sarsaparilla is also sometimes used for its medicinal properties. This is not a new development as indigenous people of the area used it medicinally for centuries.
Here’s a look at some of the ways in which this plant is still used for its medicinal properties and health benefits.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #1: Treats Rashes
Rashes can be caused by all sorts of things. It could be down to an illness, but it could also just be down to wearing clothes that are irritating your skin. They are usually harmless, but they are also sometimes a sign that something is wrong.
Depending on the cause of the rash, they can be very itchy. It can be very difficult to resist an itch but scratching can potentially cause damage to the skin. When treating the rash, medication is often used to help soothe the rash itself. One such remedy can be found in sarsaparilla, which has soothing effects on the skin.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #2: Protects the Liver
Our liver is very important to us. If it fails, then toxins and other impurities would build up in our bodies. This would eventually kill us, so it is wise to do what we can to keep our livers in good working order. This mostly means eating the right types of foods, and sarsaparilla can help to this end.
Sarsaparilla is a natural diuretic, meaning it helps to stimulate the production of urine. It can also use endotoxins to help detoxify the blood, helping to relieve some of the burden on your liver. It also contains antioxidants, plant sterols, and other compounds that can help protect against liver disease.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #3: Aphrodisiac
It is only natural for us to get in the mood from time to time, and this is a great thing when we are in a close physical relationship with somebody else. Not everybody else finds it easy to get in the mood, however, and this can put strains on relationships. Sarsaparilla may be the answer.
Sarsaparilla is thought to be an aphrodisiac, meaning it can help people to get in the mood. What’s more is that it can also help in cases of impotence, which would make it a godsend for impotent men, and their partners. The plant could also help to encourage good health of the reproductive organs overall.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #4: Helps with Arthritis
When our bodily tissues become inflamed, for whatever reason, it can cause us problems. Inflammation causes tissues to rub and press against each other and this can result in considerable pain. In cases of arthritis, which is caused by inflammation, the patient can have difficulty moving their joints.
It has been shown that sarsaparilla can be used as an effective anti-inflammatory. This means it can help to reduce inflammation, and this can be a godsend to many people around the world. This won’t make it a cure for conditions like arthritis, but it may be able to at least help reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #5: Antioxidants
The cells in our body are exposed to a process that is known as oxidation. This process causes an alteration of the cells, effectively damaging them. This damage will accumulate over time and is largely responsible for the effects of aging. It can also contribute to other serious conditions such as cancers.
Sarsaparilla is a good source of antioxidants. These are compounds that help to protect our cells against the oxidation process. This means that sarsaparilla can help to protect our cells from damage, in turn helping to prevent cancer and other serious conditions and also leave us looking younger for longer.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #6: Reduces Menopause Symptoms
When women reach a certain age, they will undergo a process that is known as the menopause. It generally signals the end of their reproductive years and it is generally accompanied with a range of unwanted symptoms. It is usually a big change in a woman’s life, and the symptoms are usually not welcome.
If you do wish to at least reduce the severity of the symptoms of the menopause, then sarsaparilla could be just what you are looking for. It contains saponins, which are natural hormones and these may be able to help ease the symptoms. They may also be able to help slow the effects of aging overall.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #7: Treats Psoriasis
Our skin cells have a life span of around 2 or 3 weeks. When they do die, they generally just fall away from the surface of the skin, revealing fresh cells below. Psoriasis is a condition where the production of skin cells is accelerated. This leaves the patient with more cells than usual, and this can cause problems for them.
Symptoms of psoriasis including flaking skin, inflammation, sores, and infections. Studies have shown, however, that sarsaparilla can be used to at least help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. It can be used as a topical application and can help to make a lot of people feel more comfortable.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #8: Reduces Nausea
Nausea is a very unpleasant symptom but, unfortunately, also quite a common one and one that is all but impossible to avoid. It can lead to further problems because it can cause the patient to vomit too much, potentially leading to dehydration and even malnutrition.
Studies have shown, however, that sarsaparilla can help reduce the severity of nausea, while also helping to regulate the functioning of our bowels. This can help you to feel better when you are ill, while also helping to prevent further complications. It can also be used alongside other medications as a supplement rather than as a replacement.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #9: Treats Syphilis
Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases on the planet, partly because it is highly contagious. It is not necessarily harmful when treated, but it can be fatal if left untreated for too long. Modern medicine is quite effective at treating the disease and some natural medicines may also be able to help.
Sarsaparilla has for long been used as a treatment for various illnesses, including syphilis. Research has shown that it may genuinely be able to help because it has antibacterial properties that help attack the bacteria that cause syphilis. While it is OK to use it as a treatment, don’t forget that sarsaparilla should not be used in lieu of modern medication.
Sarsaparilla Benefit #10: Treats Coughs
A cough is one of the most common symptoms of all in people. Coughs make for an effective way of clearing unwanted pathogens and debris from our airways. It could mean that you are sick, but it could also just mean that something is irritating the lining of the esophagus.
There are numerous remedies for a cough, including some natural remedies. Sarsaparilla is thought to be able to help relieve a cough, while it can also help ease some other symptoms that come with colds and the flu. A remedy is easy to make as sarsaparilla can be used to make a tincture or a tea.
