Evidence supporting the use of: Sarsaparilla
For the health condition: Colds (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.) has been traditionally used in various herbal medicine systems for a range of ailments, including colds and general respiratory complaints. Historical records from Native American, Central and South American, and traditional European herbalism suggest that sarsaparilla was employed as a general tonic and sometimes specifically for symptoms associated with colds, such as congestion and inflammation. Its use for these conditions was generally based on its perceived blood-purifying, anti-inflammatory, and diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) properties. However, modern scientific investigations into sarsaparilla's ability to prevent or treat viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, are lacking. There are a few laboratory studies indicating that sarsaparilla contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, but these have not been directly linked to efficacy against cold viruses in clinical settings. No robust clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness for treating or preventing the common cold. Therefore, while it is justified by tradition, the scientific evidence supporting its use for colds is weak or absent, resulting in a low evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Colds (general)
allspicealoe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry flavor
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
radish
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
capsaicinoids
carrot
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
cinnamon
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
jujube
l-cysteine
lactobacillus fermentum
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
licorice root
lovage
lychee
marshmallow
mastic gum
milk
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
wasabia japonica
water
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
boneset
tangerine
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
capsicum
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
bee pollen
peony
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
dulse leaf
purslane
fulvic acid
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
peach
paw paw
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alcohol
Ash
Aralia
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bee hive
Bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cloudberry
coconut oil
Coriander
Chive
Carvacrol
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Common madia
Curcuma
Cowslip
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Carthamus
cola nut
Celosia
Culvers Root
Currant
Chrysophanics
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dragonhead
Deoxyandrographolides
David's Milkberry
Desmodium
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Embelia
Goldthread
Garlic
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Potato
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Squash
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by sarsaparilla
ArthritisBackache
Bladder Infection
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Gout
Hepatitis
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Pain (general remedies for)
Perspiration (deficient)
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Stress
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores
Products containing sarsaparilla
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Skin Detox (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine BP-X
Nature's Sunshine C-X
Nature's Sunshine DHEA-F
Nature's Sunshine DHEA-M
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Enviro-Detox
Nature's Sunshine Joint Support
Nature's Sunshine Menstrual Reg
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Activator®
Nature's Sunshine Women's X-Action