MEDICINAL PLANTS

Sarsaparilla is a perennial that stays green 365 days a year; be perching on the trees until you reach the top, or is attached to the first thing that caught through some earrings he owns. The rhizome grows and how much elongated underground stems several feet long. The leaves are scattered throughout the stem, hairless and leathery and in many ways. One grows an abundance of oaks and survive well when these trees are felled. It can be found throughout the Peninsula and Balearic Islands.

FLOWERING

Sarsaparilla does not begin to flourish until well into the summer and the fruits ripen in early fall. Interested harvest the root for medicinal purposes, reproduced at any time of year, making it dry in the shade or dryer. Subsequently chopped and stored in airtight containers so that is not affected by light or moisture.

APPLICATIONS

The composition of sarsaparilla is not entirely known, it is known that its structure is different from the American Zarzaparrillas, although they have similar effects. In ancient times were very fashionable American plants and is widely used to cure syphilis, so widespread at that time. It is also popularly used to purify the blood. With the same purpose was used Spanish sarsaparilla, but ultimately neither the transatlantic or European used to eradicate syphilis. However, both continued to use it for its cleansing properties. Indeed, the infusion of the rhizome of this plant has excellent diuretic and sudorific. Some add to these supposed virtues lipid lowering activity, ie, the property of lowering body fat. Perhaps it is an exaggeration of the purifying power, but in any case no longer healthy to take it occasionally.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. It is used in a ratio of 30 gr. Sarsaparilla rhizome per liter of water. Once prepared, sweetness to the taste of each and take about 3 cups a day. Many times the infusion is prepared by adding other plants such as nightshade or walnut.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Liliaceae
HABITAT: Gullies and the country's hedgerows
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Root
CASTILIAN: Zarza morisca
CATALAN: Aríngol
BASQUE: Endollar
GALICIAN: Silvamar

USES

Strong diuretic, Hypolipidemic Moderate, Purifying Moderate.