WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Sarsaparilla
ARALIA HISPIDA
The bark of the root of Aralia hispida, Linné (Nat. Ord. Araliaceae). A perennial undershrub of the eastern section of the United States. Dose, 1 to 30 grains. Common Names: Dwarf Elder, Wild Elder, Bristle-stem Sarsaparilla. Preparations.1. Specific Medicine Aralia. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. 2. Decoctum Aralia, Decoction of Aralia (1/2 ounce to water, 16 ounces). Dose, 2 to 4 fluidounces. Specific Indications.Anasarca and edema with constipation. Action and Therapy.Sometimes a surprisingly effective agent for the removal of anasarca dependent chiefly upon renal inactivity or renal irritation. Moreover, it often fails. It is, however, useful as a mild renal stimulant and laxative, and occasionally gives a good account of itself in the treatment of gravel. 1
The bark of the root of Aralia hispida, Linné (Nat. Ord. Araliaceae). A perennial undershrub of the eastern section of the United States. Dose, 1 to 30 grains. Common Names: Dwarf Elder, Wild Elder, Bristle-stem Sarsaparilla. Preparations.1. Specific Medicine Aralia. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. 2. Decoctum Aralia, Decoction of Aralia (1/2 ounce to water, 16 ounces). Dose, 2 to 4 fluidounces. Specific Indications.Anasarca and edema with constipation. Action and Therapy.Sometimes a surprisingly effective agent for the removal of anasarca dependent chiefly upon renal inactivity or renal irritation. Moreover, it often fails. It is, however, useful as a mild renal stimulant and laxative, and occasionally gives a good account of itself in the treatment of gravel. 1
SARSAPARILLASMAR
The dried root of (1) Smilax medica, Chamisso and Schlechtendal; or (2) Smilax officinalis, Kunth, or an undetermined species; or (3) Smilax ornata, Hooker filius (Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). Tropical America, Mexico to Brazil. Dose, 30 grains. Common Names: Sarsaparilla; (1) Mexican Sarsaparilla; (2) Honduras Sarsaparilla; (3) Jamaica Sarsaparilla. Principal Constituents.The acrid glucoside parillin (smilacin, salseparin, or parillic acid) closely resembling saponin; resin and a volatile oil; and calcium oxalate, etc. Preparations.1. Specific Medicine Sarsaparilla. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. 2. Fluidextractum Sarsaparillae Compositum, Compound Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla (contains Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Sassafras, Mezereum). Dose, 10 to 60 minims. 3. Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus, Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla (contains Fluidextracts of Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Senna, Oil of Sassafras, Oil of Anise, and Methyl Salicylate, Alcohol, Sugar, and Water). Dose, 2 to 6 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.Sarsaparilla once held a high reputation as an alterative; it is now considered practically valueless. Almost the only use made of it at present is as a vehicle for iodides and other alteratives. For this purpose the compound syrup is largely preferred. Sarsaparilla is not wholly inert and its long-continued use may cause ulceration of the mucosa of the intestines. Some believe it also to possess an active cardiosedative principle, probably sarsaponin.1
The dried root of (1) Smilax medica, Chamisso and Schlechtendal; or (2) Smilax officinalis, Kunth, or an undetermined species; or (3) Smilax ornata, Hooker filius (Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). Tropical America, Mexico to Brazil. Dose, 30 grains. Common Names: Sarsaparilla; (1) Mexican Sarsaparilla; (2) Honduras Sarsaparilla; (3) Jamaica Sarsaparilla. Principal Constituents.The acrid glucoside parillin (smilacin, salseparin, or parillic acid) closely resembling saponin; resin and a volatile oil; and calcium oxalate, etc. Preparations.1. Specific Medicine Sarsaparilla. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. 2. Fluidextractum Sarsaparillae Compositum, Compound Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla (contains Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Sassafras, Mezereum). Dose, 10 to 60 minims. 3. Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus, Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla (contains Fluidextracts of Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Senna, Oil of Sassafras, Oil of Anise, and Methyl Salicylate, Alcohol, Sugar, and Water). Dose, 2 to 6 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.Sarsaparilla once held a high reputation as an alterative; it is now considered practically valueless. Almost the only use made of it at present is as a vehicle for iodides and other alteratives. For this purpose the compound syrup is largely preferred. Sarsaparilla is not wholly inert and its long-continued use may cause ulceration of the mucosa of the intestines. Some believe it also to possess an active cardiosedative principle, probably sarsaponin.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.