In ancient times, this plant was used to cure diseases in the nineteenth century became a drink that preceded the so popular colas. Today, you can prepare this herb-based teas complement the meal.
Introduction:
Family: Liliaceae
Species: Smilax officinalis
Name:
Castilian: Sarsaparilla, Uva de perro
Catalan: Arínjol, Arítol
Basque: Endalarr, Latxa
English: Salsaparilla, Sarsaparilla
French: Salsepareille
German: Sarsaparilla
Longevity: Perennial
Height: up to 20 m
Flowering: end to end summer autumn
Habitat and place of origin: Originally from South America, has spread all over the world, knowing many of the subspecies. It can be seen in forests and thickets, covering trunks of trees and shrubs (the copy of the picture completely covered an oleander bush with large scale).
Description: A climbing plant and woody stems bearing serpentine and stings. The leaves are shiny, leathery, sometimes with spiny margins and two tendrils at the base. They can be so variable, from heart-shaped, up narrow, pointed green color may be mottled with a paler green. The flowers are small, pale yellow, soft scent, hanging in inflorescences. There are male plants and female plants. The women are maturing berries go from green to red and black, successively. Its extremely long roots, up to 2 m long.
Active constituents: It is rich in saponins, phytosterols, bitter principle, resin, tannins and sugars, among others.
Therapeutic applications: Sarsaparilla has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. The Spanish brought seeds to Europe the species S. utilis, in order to use it to treat syphilis. The cleansing properties of S. officinalis are excellent. It is also a good diuretic and useful in case of infectious conditions. For external route has been used to develop remedies for various skin conditions, also the last century against leprosy.
Culinary Applications: Used in the production of soft drinks and as a thickener for the beer industry.
Applications magic: Blended with cinnamon and sandalwood powder is spread through the house to attract money.
What are and how you can reap its benefits? Sarsaparilla helps improve the symptoms of genitourinary disorders. Gout, hypertension, edema and overweight accompanied by fluid retention. Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, blood problems. Also skin disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis. It is generally consumed as an infusion, but also based ointments are prepared from this plant to heal wounds and skin ulcers.
The young shoots or tendrils possess properties of this plant food and can be eaten as tender in a vegetable salad or fried tortilla over as if they were studs.
Contraindications: Do not use this herb in cases of anemia, to continue treatment with digitalis (drugs that lower heart rate). It is advisable to consume in a discontinuous way. Do not administer to children under 2 years not pregnant.
