Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sarsaparilla, derived from several species in the Smilax genus, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and herbal medicine, for treating various skin disorders, including psoriasis. The root contains saponins and other phytochemicals thought to have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. Historical texts and ethnobotanical reports suggest that traditional healers used sarsaparilla to "purify the blood" and manage chronic skin eruptions, including those resembling modern descriptions of psoriasis.

However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of sarsaparilla extracts, and there is limited evidence of sarsaparilla binding endotoxins, which might theoretically benefit inflammatory skin conditions. A handful of older clinical reports (primarily from the 1940s and 1950s) noted improvement in psoriasis symptoms with sarsaparilla, but these studies were small, lacked modern controls, and have not been replicated or validated in recent research.

Overall, while traditional use is well-documented, high-quality clinical evidence supporting sarsaparilla for psoriasis is lacking. Its use for this purpose today is primarily based on historical precedent rather than robust scientific data.

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