Evidence supporting the use of: Sarsaparilla
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Central and South America, as well as in Ayurveda. It has been used historically as a general tonic and to "purify the blood." In some folk traditions, sarsaparilla has been used to help prevent or treat colds and respiratory complaints, though this is not one of its primary or most well-documented traditional uses. The rationale often cited involves its purported ability to support the immune system and reduce inflammation.

However, there is very little scientific evidence to support the use of sarsaparilla for the prevention or treatment of colds. Most modern research on sarsaparilla focuses on its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, but these studies are mostly in vitro or animal-based and do not directly address upper respiratory infections like the common cold. There are no robust clinical trials demonstrating efficacy for cold prevention or treatment. Therefore, while sarsaparilla may have a minor traditional use for colds in some cultures, the supporting evidence is weak, and its use for this purpose is not widely recognized in either traditional or scientific literature.

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Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Allspice
Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
Waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
beta-glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
Marshmallow
Moringa
mustard seed
Nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic compounds
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
Yeast
Zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
avens
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
black seed
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bioflavonoids
black salt
bee products
back nightshade
Bassia scoparia
borneol
Camellia sinensis
coconut
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
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coriander
capillary artemisia
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Curcuminoid
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capsaicin
Chinese raisintree
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cinnamaldehyde
costus
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currant
Dianthus
dragonhead
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
European Elder
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Elder
essential oil blend
European five-finger grass
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
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goldthread
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garlic
Gallesia
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heal-all
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Horsemint
iridoids
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lodhtree
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mandarin
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Mustard
Melia
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marigold
Mushroom
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
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Pepper
Paris polyphylla
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Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Physalis angulata
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Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
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Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Shogaol
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Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
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Tayuya
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Wulinshen
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Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zingerone