Synopsis

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

Sarsaparilla (a term that can refer to several plant species, including Smilax officinalis and Smilax regelii) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Central and South America, as well as in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It has been employed for a variety of ailments, including skin conditions, rheumatism, and gout. The rationale for its use in gout primarily stems from its perceived ability to "purify the blood," act as a diuretic, and reduce inflammation—properties that were thought to counteract the buildup of uric acid and joint inflammation characteristic of gout.

However, scientific evidence supporting sarsaparilla’s efficacy for gout is minimal. While saponins and other phytochemicals in sarsaparilla have shown anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties in preclinical studies, there are no robust clinical trials or well-documented scientific studies specifically demonstrating its effectiveness in treating or managing gout in humans. Most references to its use for gout are found in ethnobotanical and traditional medicine literature rather than in modern pharmacological research. As such, its use for gout is justified mainly by tradition, with only low-level or anecdotal evidence to support its efficacy.

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