SARSAPARILLA, or SALSA. This much-employed medicine is the produce of several species of smilax although the species yielding the different kinds brought to the market have not yet been fully ascertained, Anion_ them, the three principal are believed to be S. ogrinalls, S. medico, and S. papyracea; twining shrubs. with prickly gularstems; the first with large ovate-oblong, acute, heart-shaped, leathery leaves; the sec ond with shortly acuminate smooth leaves; the lower ones heart-shaped, the upper ones approaching to ovate; the third with membranous, oval-oblong, obtuse Isaves. These, shrubs are natives of warm parts of America; S. offirinalis and S. papyretrese being, found in South America. and S. medica on the Mexican Andes. Some botanists regard them its mere varieties of one species.
The part of the plant used in medicine is the dried root, of which the following are the characters, as given in the British Pharmaeopuda: " Roots not thicker than a goose quill, generally ninny feet in length, reddisli-browuc covered with rootlets, aud folded in bundles about eighteen inches long, scentless; taste mucilaginous, feebly bitterish, faintly acrid " Sarsaparilla has been analyzed by various chemists, and appears to con sist of volatile oil, most of which is expelled during the process of drying, of a white crystallizable neutral substance named smiladn, whose composition is represented by the formula an acrid bitter resin, lignin, starch, and mucilage. Sarsaparilla is one of the class of medicines called dirphoretics. The British Pharmacopceia con tains three preparations of this drug—viz., the decoction, the compound decoction (containing sarsaparilla, sassafras chips, guaiac wood-turnings, liquorice root, and theze reoe), and the liquid extract. The cases in which they are serviceable are those of chronic rheumatism., secondary syphilitic affections, chronic skin diseases, etc. To be
of any service, sarsaparilla must be taken in considerable doses. The compound decoc tion, formerly known as the decoction of sweet woods, is the best preparation, and should be taken in doses of four or six ounces three times a day.
The root of S. ampere, a native of the s. of Europe, is used as a substitute for sarsapa rilla. although of interior quality, and is called Italian sarsaparilla.
The root of hemidesmes indices, a climbing shrub of the natural order asclepiacecs, is used iu India as a substitute for sarsaparilla. and is therefore called Indian sarsapar illa. The plant is common in all parts of India. The root has a peculiar aromatic odor and bitter taste. In consequence of the high price charged for genuine sarsaparilla, the root of hemidesmes Indices or Indian sarsaparilla has been introduced into the British Pharmacopmia. The following are its characters; " Yellowish brown, cylindrical, tor tuous, furrowed. and with annular cracks, having a fragrant odor and a very agreeable • flavor. The only officinal preparation is the syrup; but iu India,,where this root is highly esteemed as a diaphoretic and tonic, anti is extensively used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, an infusion prepared by infusing two ounces of the root in a pint of boiling water, is generally employed, the close being from two to four ounces three times a day. The syrup is chiefly used, in consequence of its pleasant flavor, as .a vehicle for more, active medicines.
In Germany, the roots of Carex arenaria, C. disticha, and C. hirtu (sec CArmx), are occasionally used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, under the name of German sarsaparilla.