Latin (botanical) name: Smilax Specie

Common names: Bamboo Brier, Smilax Sarsaparilla, Black Creeper, Sarsaparilla, Sariva, Kalisar, Dudhilata, Sugandhi, Honduras Sarsaparilla, Red Sarsaparilla, Spanish Sarsaparilla, Tu fu Ling, Dwipautra

Plant Description: Sarsaparilla, a native of the southern United States, grows in swampy woods. It is a perennial vine, with a stout, square, prickly stem. It’s leaves are elliptical-ovate and cuspidate. Three strong veins and two smaller, lateral, secondary veins run throughout. sarsaparilla blooms from May to August, with yellowish-white flowers in small umbels of three or four red or black 3-seeded berries.

Use: Make a tea by pouring approximately 2 cups of boiling water over 2 heaped tsp of herb. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. In general, sip a cup before breakfast, and another 2 hours after dinner.

Cautions & Interactions: Keep out of reach of children.