posted
Thanks for the info!!
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JimBoB
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Hi Dana:
Interesting article, considering it is put out by an herbal company.
You know there are "warnings" on everything, right?
Even in Buhner's Healing Lyme book HE warns that overdosing on Sarsaparilla MAY cause intestinal UPSET.
BUT, isn't that true on almost anything. SOme things have BAD side affects, even on LOW doses. But people still take them because of the good things they do. Look at abx. MANY bad things they cause, but they ALSO cause some good, like killing off a lot of the bad Bacteria. Trouble is they kill off the good bacteria also, so you have to replace them and get your immune system back up to snuff with NATURAL things like Sarsaparilla, probiotics, etc..
LOOK at all the good Smilax does in Lyme treatment: It lessens Herxheimer reactions, by binding endotoxins; it is antispirochetal; enhances immune response; is antiinflammatory for arthritic symptoms; neuroprotector for brain function; (it's constituents cross the blood/brain barrier); ENHANCES the actions of other herbs AND drugs used in LYME treatment; lessens fatigue; gives pain relief AND protects and enhances liver function.
It has been used SUCCESSFULLY for THOUSANDS of years, by many cultures.
On reading the article, I am wondering WHO exactly is/was this "German health authorities"? Another "government" organization???
klutzo
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posted
I took Sarsaparilla for two months. It did not lessen my herxes, but then my herxing is almost all neuro now, after many months on Samento, and now on Cumanda as well, has restored my energy and lessened my body pain, so the brain is the main field of battle. I have given it up, and am now using Burbur for detox/herxes. I don't get much help from it either, so far. I also take high dose ALA, which helps me with insulin resistance as well. So far,the only thing that really helps me with herxing is to take a little bit of Xanax and back off my dosage of Samento or Cumanda by one drop per day. Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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JimBoB
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posted
Klutzo:
Have you tried using the Acidophilus and Milk THistle along WITH the Sarsaparilla? Works for me.
And yes, I agree that cutting back a little on the abx would help a little too on the herxing.
posted
Klutzo: PS: HOW many Sarsaparilla's were you taking a day? Jim.
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GiGi
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Referring to Klutzo's
"has restored my energy and lessened my body pain, so the brain is the main field of battle. I have given it up, and am now using Burbur for detox/herxes. I don't get much help from it either, so far. I also take high dose ALA,"
This is what Dr. K. told me years ago. It still stands today:
"Here's the thing that ALA does, with all the things it doesn't do. It does help the excretion of glutathione-bound toxic metals. This is how the liver excretes metals; they are bound to glutathione, and that's the way they come out in the billiary tree -- alpha lipoic acid is a great co-factor with that.
But Alpha Lipoic Acid does not detox the brain. It has never done anything helpful to the brain, like people are saying. People mistake it because when they clear out the liver and they feel better, they think "my brain feels better, therefore Alpha lipoic acid must be doing something to the brain". Well, it does indirectly, but not directly.
If you want to clean out your brain, you have to take cilantro, goat whey, and a few other things. There is nothing un-natural that I have found that reliably detoxes the brain. All the things that reliably detox the brain are all natural things."
Metals are where the bugs are. Bugs are where the metals are.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Hi Gigi, You said if you want to clean out your brain you have to take cilantro,goat whey & a few other things.
What are the few other things???? Does fresh cilantro do the job. I have a wonderful yummy cilantro pesto receipe that supposedly good for chelation. Along with chorella.
Thanks for all the info you give us. Healing blessings to you. Joyce
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GiGi
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posted
The few other things, Joyce, are incorporated in any of the many posts I have put here. You have got to have all amalgams out of the mouth. Make sure you know what is under crowns if you have any. Your diet. Your mineral base. Your emotional status. All of it plays a role in the body's readiness to release toxins - of any sort - but mainly the metals.
Only the cilantro tincture works. It has been specifically grown for this purpose. Should be made from organically grown cilantro. You can toss a handful of cilantro into some soup for a couple of minutes. But the heat is important in releasing the substance needed. The tea before bedtime after the water has come to a boil, put your drops into the hot water in the cup and let it cool down to drinking temp.
Enjoy your salsa and pesto - but they are not going to do the trick. With the cilantro, goat whey and chlorella - it will be a very slow process if you want to avoid stronger meds. Most people that carry a fair load of mercury, they do other treatments, such as DMPS, NDF, or others, phospholipids, neural therapy, all dependent on where the metals are sitting and how bad the load. If you have a good doctor, he should be able to guide you through this. It takes quite some time - it is not done in a couple of months for most people.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
i read that sarsparilla is a diuretic so would it not be good for those who are trying to hold onto their fluids? and i read devil's claw is bad for those on heart meds, that is why i hesitate to take this, but i would love some relief from the arthitic type pain! radha
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JimBoB
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posted
WHY do you want to hold on to your fluids?
We MUST clean our body OUT. Sarsaparilla is good for that, plus many other things.
And while I had a hard time taking Devils Claw at first, I wouldn't want to be without it now. It did wonders in helping my terrible arthritic condition in the beginning of my herbal protocol. Fortunately as far as I know, I do not have a heart problem, so do NOT take any heart meds.
Another good herb is Stephania Root for arthritus. It is ALSO good for my asthma and the eye problems I had a couple of months ago.
Whole Cats Claw is also good for arthritus, as is Vitamin A.
posted
i have low blood volume so i dont want to lose fluids, and since i do take heart meds, i guess i should stay away from devils claw, but will look into the stephania root, thanks for the recommendations, radha
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GiGi
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Anyone taking the Smilax, also called Sarsaparilla, the different brands were tested by Dr. K. before patients would get them. There is definitely a big difference between Sarsaparilla in capsules from Solaray as compared to the powder sold by the pound from the herb shops mentioned in "Healing Lyme". The unfumigated, untreated stuff by the pound is better quality and tests very well. You just might have to make your own capsules, but it is also a lot less expensive that way.
Take care.
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JimBoB
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WOW GiGi, YOU appear to be a walking encyclopedia!!!
I just got a bunch of herbs by bulk from StarWest Botanicals and have some coming from 1stChineseHerbs.com and I was WONDERING IF these were as good as the ones already in pill form.
I bought one of the machines from StarWest along with a 1000 empty capsules and the herbs. Made my FIRST pills tonight with it. Took a lot more time than they claim in their advertising, much more, but I imagine I will get better at it in time.
The first pills I made tonight are Ginger Root, in hopes of helping my stomach some. WHAT is your TAKE on that?
The main reason I bought the machine and capsules are for Stephania Root as I have not found it on the market in pills, except for tea pills from 1st Chinese, but these ALSO have Astragalus, which Buhner does NOT recommend in late or chronic Lyme. So, only took one bottle of that before.
I got my Stephania now, so hope to make those pills tomorrow.
What TYPE and BRAND of machine do YOU use?
I have the 00 size, which makes pretty big capsules, actually. Buhner recommended that size to me personally, but would I be smart to get the 0 size also for SOME herbs?
It says with the machine that you get approximately 650mg with the 00 size. Do you know how many milligrams you get with the "0" size?
Also, I take 1000mg of vitamin C a day, (ascorbic acid), SHould I cut down on that too for the stomach pain and nausea?
It helps a little IF I take one Tums and hour or two AFTER I take all these herbs; but I know it says you shouldn't take acid blockers or pepto, etc., with Cat's Claw, so am wondering IF it is okay to do the Tums bit IF I wait an hour or more AFTER I take the herbs?
5dana8
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Member # 7935
posted
Hi JimBob: Kal makes an acid free vit. C powder. It is the only C I can take that doesn't upset my tummie.I take 1/4 teaspoon in alittle glass of milk.It is not that expensive.
Take care
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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5dana8
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Thanks GiGi I will try the "Smilax" powder sold by the pound. This is a good idea. take care
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Carol in PA
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Cave76: If you want to read the various monographs by the German Commission E, the Health Library at iHerb.com has them.
Carol
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5dana8
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Any body know the best place to get good sarasparilla by the powder form?
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caat
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Sasparilla has steriodal properties. Anyone thinking of using it should look into that issue carefully, and from sources that are not selling anything...
While saspirilla may have some antibacterial properties, they may not be enough to counteract that effect.
Posts: 1436 | From Humboldt county ca usa | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
...plant 'steroids' are of a much different nature than the the synthetic.
My understanding is that those contained in Sarsparilla have no deleterious effect on immunity.
Mo
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caat
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evidently they do have an effect on the immune system; they decrease inflamation. Seems that would be by a process the same or simular to a human steriodal process. Whether it's a direct or indirect effect isn't clear and at a glance the issue looks controversial.
Posts: 1436 | From Humboldt county ca usa | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
I should have given more detail regarding the question of the use of plant sterolins (such as beta sisterol found in Sarsparilla)..
I know I felt it important to take allot of time researching that before I decided to begin therapy with this herbal medicine.
My basic understanding is that plant sterols do not have the negative side effects of corticosteroids. Plant sterols balance the immune system (only in part by dealing with inflammatory issues), while corticosteroids are immunosuppressive.
I am going to edit in references here on available research I have found..
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Beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation: Implications for their use as an immunomodulatory vitamin combination.
Source: International Journal of Immunopharmacology, vol. 18, no. 12, pp. 693-700, Dec. 1996
This study reports on a series of in vivo and in vitro studies which clearly demonstrate that the plant sterols and sterolins (B-sitosterol and its glucoside, B-sitosterolin) have immuno-modulatory properties. The first experiment performed in vitro demonstrated that sterols and sterolins had a significant proliferative effect on human T-cells. The effect was observed in extremely low concentrations of sterols/sterolins on the order of 1 femtogram which represents only 150 molecules of sterol and 10 molecules of sterolin.
The best response was obtained when a 100:1 sterol/sterolin mixture was given. The same study was repeated on a small number of human subjects (8) indicating a T-cell proliferative response from 20% to 920% after 4 weeks on the sterol/sterolin mixture. No increase was observed for the 2 subjects receiving placebos. The peak activity of the sterol/sterolin mixture occurred at 6 hours in the in vitro experiments, indicating an effect in the initial stages of T-cell proliferation and activation of membrane antigens. Another in vitro experiment showed significant increases in the cytokines (immune communication molecules) interleukin-2 and gamma interferon on the order of between 17% and 41%.
Another in vitro experiment showed an increase in Natural Killer Cell activity for the lysis of experimental cancer cells with the sterol/sterolin mixture. Although sterols and sterolins are poorly absorbed and are not synthesized in the human body, daily intake is required to maintain an optimal immune response. These experiments prove that a 100:1 sterol/sterolin mixture is a potent immuno-modulator with important implications for the treatment and restoration of immune dysfunctions.
The effects of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon runners: Inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation.
Author: P.J.D. Bouic, P.P. van Jaarsveld, A. Clark, J.H. Lamprecht, M. Freestone, & R.W. Liebenberg
Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine, 1999
A double blind study was performed on marathon runners to see if the addition of a sterol/sterolin mixture would prevent the immune suppression and inflammatory reaction characteristic to high intensity athletics. Twenty marathon runners were recruited to take part in the trial and blood draws and medical histories were taken 4 weeks prior to the marathon event and three days after.
Half the group received a placebo and the other half received a 100:1 mixture of sterols/sterolins. The RBC count went down significantly for the placebo group but remained the same for the treatment group. Neutrophils rose significantly for the treatment group, indicating infection, but remained constant in the treatment group.
The lymphocyte count went down for the placebo group, specifically the CD3, CD4, and CD8 subsets. The treatment group actually experienced a significant rise for the CD3 and CD4 lymphocyte subsets. Interleukin 6 levels, which indicate an inflammatory reaction, went up for the placebo group, but down in the treatment group.
As well, the cortisol levels, which indicate stress levels and degree of immunosuppression, were significantly elevated for the placebo group, but remained constant in the treatment group. The treatment group showed an increase in DHEA levels and a decrease in the cortisol/DHEA ratio, indicating that the sterol/sterolin mixture was helping to buffer the negative side effects of the stress response.
The results of this experiment clearly show that taking a sterol/sterolin mixture prior to a highly stressful physical event protected the treatment group from the immunosuppression typically exhibited by the placebo group. As well, the sterol/sterolin mixture protected against the excessive inflammatory response typical of anyone running a marathon.
Thirdly, the sterol/sterolin mixture buffered the excessive release of cortisol with its immunosuppressive effects. As well, the sterol/sterolin mixture raised DHEA levels and lowered the cortisol/DHEA ratio, indicating a more adaptive response to stress.
These results indicate that sterols/sterolins are adaptogenic in that they modulate the immune and stress response. This makes them extremely valuable adjuncts to the prevention and treatment of a wide range of stress-mediated disorders, as well as immune dysregulation and inflammatory diseases
[ 23. January 2006, 11:59 PM: Message edited by: Mo ]
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Immunomodulation in HIV/AIDS: The Tygerberg/Stellenbosch University Experience
Authors: Bouic, P.J.D.
Source: AIDS Bulletin, v. 6, #3, pp. 18-20, Sept. 1997 Published by the Medical Research Council of South Africa
This review article discusses both animal and human experiments performed in South Africa to determine the effect of plant sterols/sterolins on the disease progression of HIV.
Two pilot studies were done on cats infected with the retrovirus FIV, which is considered the feline equivalent to HIV. In both studies the cats receiving the sterol/sterolin mixture maintained stable CD4 lymphocyte counts and suffered no deaths due to FIV, three years later.
These positive results prompted the research group to conduct an open trial of 80 human patients over a 3 year period, with clinical monitoring every 3 months. The results for CD4 lymphocyte counts have remained stable over 27 months with no significant declines, similar to the results of the cat study.
As well, the programmed cell death of the CD4 subset, which is responsible for the rapid loss of CD4 lymphocytes in typical HIV populations, actually declined slightly. The pro-inflammatory lymphokine, interleukin-6 has been implicated in the induction of HIV replication in infected cells.
This study has shown a significant decrease in interleukin-6 levels in the sterol/sterolin treated group leading to a decrease in viral load levels. Although the sterols/sterolins have no anti-viral activity, this immunomodulatory activity on interleukin-6 levels leads indirectly to lower viral load levels.
These preliminary findings suggest an important role for plant sterols/sterolins in the multi-stage treatment of HIV. Com-bined with potent plant antivirals, a non-drug AIDS treatment strategy that is highly effective may be possible.
The importance of sitosterol and sitosterolin in human and animal nutrition
Author: Karl H. Pegel, Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Source: South African Journal of Science, v. 93, pp. 263-268, June 1997
Recent research indicates that the health-promoting benefits of a plant-based diet may be due to the presence of plant-derived cholesterol analogs known as sterols and sterolins.
These compounds, which are structurally similar to cholesterol, are ubiquitous throughout the plant kingdom. Although absorbed at a rate 800 to 1,000 times less than cholesterol, they appear to have important immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory activities in human and animal physiology.
Human research indicates plant sterols and sterolins have important anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and T-cell proliferative activities. Medical uses already include the treatment of hyper-cholesterolemia, benign prostatic hypertrophy and rheumatoid arthritis. Plant sterols and sterolins are thought to be responsible for the health benefits of a variety of medicinal herbs including saw palmetto, pygeum, pumpkin seeds, devil's claw, milk thistle, ginkgo, Panax and Siberian ginseng.
They have adaptogenic properties which make them an essential part of an optimal diet. Modern food processing and dietary choices have resulted in a daily intake less than the optimal 200-300 mg. Even some vegetarian diets appear to result in a deficient quantity of plant sterols and sterolins. Supplementation of the diet with plant sterols and sterolins provides important therapeutic as well as preventative health benefits.
(editing for spacing)
Interleukins and the Immune System
Author: Anne O'Garra
Source: Lancet, v. 1, #8644, pp. 943-946, 1989
The immune response has two ways of dealing with foreign pathogens. The B-lymphocytes synthesize specific antibodies called immunoglobulins. This is known as humoral immunity. The other system involves T-lymphocytes which regulate the synthesis of antibodies as well as direct killer cell activity and the inflammatory response of delayed type hypersensitivity.
This system is known as cell-mediated immunity. The T-cells are further divided into helper lymphocytes (Th) and cytotoxic (Tc), also known as suppressor cells. When the T-cells encounter a foreign pathogen (antigen) they further secrete a number of communication molecules called lymphokines, cytokines, interleukins or interferons. These factors further elaborate and direct the immune response to a specific antigen. The whole process is a symphony of many co-factors which are orchestrated into a sophisticated immune response.
The T-helper cells are directly involved in assisting B-cells as well as co-ordinating their own cell-specific defense. The T-helper cells are further divided into two distinct lines of defense. The Th1 cells promote the cell-mediated line of defense and inhibit the other line known as Th2 cells which regulate the humoral defense. The Th2 cell lines control the B-cells and inhibit the cell-mediated response of the Th1 lymphocytes.
A careful balance between these two functions is thus achieved. When one line predominates, there is the opportunity for immune dysregulation to occur resulting in either a hyper-immune response causing an autoimmune disease or a hypo-immune response resulting in an uncontrollable infection such as AIDS or tuberculosis. The Th1 helper cells secrete lymphokines such as interleukin-2 and gamma interferon. Th2 helper cells secrete pro-inflammatory lymphokines such as interleukin-6, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10. Interleukin-1 appears to be released in response to a specific injury and acts as an inflammatory mediator. Interleukin may be over-expressed in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Interleukin-1 deficiency is associated with metastatic tumors, nutritional deficiencies and certain autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-6 is associated with pro-inflammatory responses as well as mediating the proliferation and maturation of T-cells.
High levels of interleukin-6 have been associated with a variety of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, multiple myelomas, and some cancers such as cervical and bladder. Interleukin-2 is a growth factor for T-cell maturation as well as an inducer of T-cell cytotoxicity and natural killer cell activity. Interleukin-2 deficiency would cripple the cell-mediated immune response and its stimulation would enhance the overall efficacy of the immune system.
Immune dysregulation occurs when the two sides of the immune response become imbalanced. A greater appreciation of immunotherapies is achieved with a more detailed understanding of the complexity of the immune system.
[ 24. January 2006, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: Mo ]
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5dana8
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posted
Good article M! Does anyone without a lyme fog know if this article says That plant steroids don't effect the body the same way as reg. steroids? Thanks sorry to be stupid
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JimBoB
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posted
Dana: I got my Sarsaparilla from StarWest Botanicals in California. They have good prices, service is reasonable and their product seems to be good quality. Stephen Buhner recommended them to me for their capsule machine and empty capsules in a PM.
I got other bulk herbs from them too, such as ginger root, milk thistle seeds powder, Yohimbe Bark Powder, and Stephania Root Powder.
I also have gotten some of my bulk powders from 1stchineseherbs.com and I must say they are the fastest in shipping and very nice to deal with.
StarWest Botanicals is on the net too, just google it.
posted
Dana: One correction on that last post. I just checked in the fridge, and I actually got the Stephania Root Powder from 1stChineseHerbs of Washington; along with some Hu Zhang powder, (Chinese Knotweed-Resveratrol).
posted
caat: I went to your URL posted and could NOT find anything about Sarsaparilla. WHERE do I have to go to on their home page, etc., to find ANY info on Sarsaparilla? THanks, Jim
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GiGi
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Re: herbs recommended in Buhner's "Healing Lyme"
Just want to tell here that upon energy testing (ART), most patients do not test for all the 10-12 different herbs mentioned in Buhner's book "Healing Lyme". Most people test well and are taking one or two, mostly two, of the herbs - .
So if you are taking a number of them, I would suggest that you do not ascribe any strong reaction to a herxheimer situation, but rather that you may be taking one that is not suited for you. It's up to you to find what is right for you. It is definitely not all. Not even the core protocol mentioned in Healing Lyme is suitable for all. Some people test for the ones mentioned in the core protocol. Some people test well for others not in the core protocol. These testing results may change over time as your body/problems change. So energy testing for me is an ongoing thing, every few weeks or so. We are a live organisms that changes.
We are not all cut of the same fiber and herbs are potent. None of us brings the same problem to the table as the next. Lyme Disease is not just Lyme Disease, it is many different factors thrown into the bucket with a bunch of microorganisms. So at least, if you already believe in the adjunct of herbs, have someone good and qualified energy test you for them before you take them.
I am telling you here what I see and hear from my doctor's practice who is using herbs extensively and has been using them for years.
Take care.
P.S. A nice addition to some of the herbs is Eyebright, 2 dropper full 3xlday, for the emotional brain and eye problems.
[ 24. January 2006, 03:25 AM: Message edited by: GiGi ]
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caat
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JimBoB, I don't have much or any info on saspirilla on my site. If I do it's under treatments/herbs, but I don't think anything is there. Here's links to several herbal reference sources where you might be able to look stuff up; http://www.home.pon.net/caat/lyme/herbs.html#Herbal_references
I looked into it several years ago and came up with more questions than answers for myself so didn't use it.
Mo, I sort of speed read those studies (not able to understand all of it anyway) and 3 questions come to mind;
1. yes, do these 2 steriodal chemicals which they looked at, do they have a simular/same process in the body as 2 correlating synthetic steriods (if any exist)
2. what about the other steriodal chemicals in sapirilla? There are several. Which anti-inflamitory ones correlate or sort of correlate to the synthetic steriods which cause harm in lyme? Or are there any? And do they have simular harmful effects?
Some steriods in saspirilla don't have any or much direct effect on the immune system. For instance the one(s) which sort of correlate to testostrone. Body builders have used saspirilla for years for it's testostrone-like effect. Others may have direct effects.
3. what effect do these have on B cell production? AFAIK it's the B cells which are attacked by lyme- not T cells. Certain strains of lyme can directly attack B cells.
I don't expect anyone to answer this BTW. And I'm not trying to critisize anyone, by any means!
I just wanted to bring this up for people to think about. I gave up- I have no idea, it's too much of a learning curve to make me motivated to find out- chemistry is not fun for me... The whole thing makes my brain hurt.
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I edited and spaced those posts, sorry.. I am usually more careful to do that.
I also have this in depth review by Hobbs, a botanist who has written in depth on Sarsparilla, that I think addreses some of the questions you raise. (I had all the same questions, I do not want to take hormones or harmful steroid compounds..)
It is my understanding that Sarsparilla has been thought (by the body-building crowd for one).. to actually contain hormones.
Appahrently, there is no verifiable truth to that statement. (tho is has been widely believed and reported by some) Sarsparilla has taken allot of hard knocks over the centuries, it's rise and fall... (IMO after carefil consideration we all must make ourselves) , this herb (if the source is high quality) can be of great assistance to Lyme patients. It's high regard in syphillis at the turn of the century intrigued me.
Amazingly, it helped detox patients from harmful Mercury (the allopathic treatnment given then in syphillis) by use of the Beta-sisterols (I realized is a supplement recommended by Doc K for metal and neuro-toxin detox).. but also is anti-many things we face microbe-wise..as well as a powerful blood purifier.
One of it's effects, it seems, as one example - being misinterpreted as the herb containing testosterone, when it does not. No (whole) herb does. It builds strength over the long term, but that is not due to actual hormone content.
..at the same time, this as in any other herbal therapy has to be considered carefully as to timing and what else you may take with it. IMO, I do not think it should be taken with heparin, or any other potent herbs, abx, ect..without allot of careful consideration...if not by a holistic MD (most preferable if they are good) ..then.. on your own advise if you are going to sit down for literally hundreds of hours as I did to sort this all out!
Please, noone should just start taking something, lest you be spinning your wheels at best, of even worse...do harm. This is just one element to consider in so many other essential ones.
Sarsaparilla, A Literature Review By Christopher Hobbs
Reprint number 101 From HerbalGram No. 17, Summer 1988 by the American Botanical Council P.O. Box 201660, Austin, Texas, 78720
INTRODUCTION
A group of medicinal plants from the genus Smilax, collectively called sarsaparilla, was introduced from the New World into European medicine in the early 1600's by Spanish traders. Sarsaparilla soon found a ready market throughout Europe for treatment of syphilis and a variety of complaints that were considered to yield to the action of "blood purification." Since that time, and undoubtedly centuries before, plants from genus Smilax have been used world wide to alleviate many human ills.
Because of a combination of factors, to be reviewed in the following paper, sarsaparilla has seen drastic swings in popularity - from the height of success and acclaim as an important medicinal drug plant, selling hundreds of thousands of pounds per year, to its dismissal as a worthless nostrum. The following paper reviews the literature on the botany, history of use, chemistry, pharmacology, clinical use and adulteration of sarsaparilla.
BOTANY
The name sarsaparilla comes from the Spanish zarza (a bramble), parra (a vine) and illa (small). A small brambly vine. The ancient Latin name was Smilax, and is mentioned as such by Pliny. Linnaeus described this group of plants under the genus Smilax, which is still recognized today by most botanists from the northern hemisphere, being placed in the Lily family, Liliaceae. Some recent taxonomic literature from South America places the plants under a segregate family, the Smilacaceae.
There are approximately 350 species worldwide in the genus, occurring mostly in the tropics, subtropics and Asia. Smilax is represented by 12 species in the USA, of which two are from the West, S. californica and S. jamesii.
Only a few of the species are known to be commonly traded as botanical drugs. The taxonomic history of the medicinal species presented in Table 1 (after Klaus). To this list are added plants that have also been called sarsaparilla, and have been used as an adulterant or substitute.
TABLE #1 Plants sold as Sarsaparilla
Species Official from:
Honduran Sarsaparilla Smilax sarsaparilla L 1820 to 1842 Smilax officinalis 1842 to 1942 Smilax Regelii Killip & Morton 1942 to present
Mexican Sarsaparilla Smilax medica Chamisio & Schlectendal 1882 to 1942 Smilax aristolochiaefolia Miller 1942 to present
Jamaican Sarsaparilla Smilax ornata Hooker 1905 to 1942 Ecuadorian Sarsaparilla Smilax spp. 1942 to 1959 Smilax febrifuga Kunth 1960 to present
Indian Sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indica (India) not official
American Sarsaparilla Not official
Aralia nudicaulis (Eastern US)
European Sarsaparilla, Italian Smilax Not official Smilax aspera (S. Europe)
False China-root not official Smilax Psuedo-China (S.E. US.) China-brier, Bullbrier not official Smilax Bona-mox (S.E. US.)
Morphologically, the plants are mostly woody vines, that climb by means of a pair of tendrils on the petiol of wide prominently ribbed simple leaves. The flowers are small, regular, greenish, yellowish or bronze, and dioecious (separate male and female flowers). They occur in umbels on auxiliary peduncles. The fruit is a small black, blue or red berry.
Knotty, short rhizomes typically grow in damp forest soil. The prickly stems at times climb high into the canopy. This is one reason (the extreme leaf variation is another) for the years of taxonomic confusion among the medicinal species: the flowers and fruits are often out of reach of would be collectors.
HISTORY OF USE
The original sarsaparilla was "observed by Schiede on the Eastern slope of the mountains (in Mexico). He was told that its roots gathered all year long, dried in the sun and tied into bundles, being carried to Vera Cruz for export." (1879)
Before 1530, when sarsaparilla was introduced into European trade from New Spain (Mexico), several species were being used for medicine in their native lands.
Smilax aspera was known and used by the ancients. Dioscorides and Pliny recommended the leaves of this plant against "deadly poisons, weather they be drunk before or after." Its nature was considered to be "dry and hot", a reference to the ancient system of characterizing medicinal plants.
Sarsaparilla was mentioned by many early writers, who observed it in many parts of Southern Europe and North Africa. The young shoots were eaten, and in Roman times the mature vines were worn as garlands at festivals of Bacchus, by the common people. This practice was generally "looked upon as ill omened, and consequently banished from all sacred rites - receiving this mournful character from the maiden Smilax, who upon her love being slighted by the young Crocus, was transformed into this shrub (Pliny 16:63)."
Gerard, in his "Great Herbal", mentions that the Honduran and Peruvian sarsaparilla "are a remedy against long continual pain of the joints and head, and against the cold." Spanish sarsaparilla, S. aspora, he takes to be similar, but weaker in action.
According to Monards, the Spanish botanist, Mexican sarsaparilla was introduced into Europe medicine about 1536 at Seville. Other species soon followed from Guatemala and Honduras. They were highly regarded as a remedy for syphilis, which was also imported from the new world in the late 1400's, and for rheumatism. from Spain, the herb found its way into the pharmacists shops all over Europe and England.
Few plants have had the rise and fall in popularity that sarsaparilla has had. When it was introduced it was considered remarkably effective for diverse chronic diseases, and many doctors of the time wrote about its benefits. Generally considered an alterative tonic, blood purifier, diuretic and diaphoretic, it was given alone or in combination with other herbs, as well as with mercury for long-standing venereal disease.
Pereia, a leading physician in London in the mid nineteenth century, felt that sarsaparilla works when "the malady is of long continuance, and the constitution is enfeebled and emaciated, either by repeated attacks of the disease, or by the use of mercury," and that it is "the great restorer of appetite, flesh, color, strength and vigor."
Pereira gives obstinate skin disease, such as chronic abscesses as a further indication. He concludes that "the great advantage of sarsaparilla over many other alteratives and tonics, is, that although it may fail in doing good, it never does any harm beyond that of now and then causing slight disorder of stomach." Although sarsaparilla found favor with many physicians, the same charges that its chief benefit was to make money for its distributors were made then, as today. That it was profitable and popular can be seen by the 176,854 pound imported into England alone during 1831.
Perhaps because of inferior quality roots, adulteration and substitution, sarsaparilla fell completely out of favor in the late eighteenth century, but it was strongly promoted again about 1750 by Fordyce and others, as a remedy for syphilis. Its renewed popularity continued until the time of Cullen, the famous English doctor, about 1800. Cullen considered it completely inert, and was quite influential in his day.
Sarsaparilla was again in favor around 1850, when it was official in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. It was recommended by Wood, the co-author of the U.S. Dispensatory, for "the treatment of secondary syphilis." It continued to be official until 1950.
During the turn of the century, highly promoted patent remedies of dubious efficacy, considered "quack" remedies by regular doctors, were in their heyday. Foremost among these were various sarsaparilla remedies, notably Ayer's Sarsaparilla, which "made the weak strong". This preparation sold hundreds of thousands of bottles all over the world, with indications for weakness and disease in nearly any organ of the body.
"Disorders of the liver, stomach and kidneys, as well as tuberculosis, tumors, rheumatism, female weakness, sterility, pimples and syphilis, could be cured by just one remedy, Ayer's Sarsaparilla."
From our perspective today, whether or not one believes in the efficacy of sarsaparilla as a long term tonic, diuretic and blood purifier, the unbridled claims listed above might seem to be nothing more than pure commercial hype. No wonder that Congress stepped in and passed the 1906 Food and Drug Act, in an attempt to control the extravagant claims made for patent commercial products.
Smilax China is an ancient drug plant from China. It was reported in the older literature to be imported into Europe in the seventeenth century, under the name China Root. Recent work has indicated that the original China Root is actually Poria cocos (a tuber-like underground fungus which grows in association with the roots of various conifers) or Smilax glabra. Lindley, the eminent botanist, said of this plant:
"Smilax china has a large fleshy root, the decoction of which is supposed to have virtues equal to that of sarsaparilla in improving the health after the use of mercury. According to the Abbe Rochon, the Chinese often eat it instead of rice, and it contributes to make them lusty." (This description dates from 1830)
Smilax china is taken in decoction for boils and abscesses, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection, enteritis, diarrhea and as an antidote to mercurial poisoning -- nearly the same indications as sarsaparilla. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has cooling properties and removes excess moisture, promotes diuresis, is tonic and antimalarial.
In the USA, several species of Smilax have been widely used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, and for other medicinal and food purposes. The principle species used was S. Pseudo-China, being the one "generally preferred in medicine as an alterative."
It also formed the basis of many diet drinks among the "unlicensed faculty". "from the tubers, with maize, sassafras and molasses the Negroes of Carolina manufacture "a very pleasant" beer." It was also used to fatten hogs in South Carolina. A famous Eclectic physician, John King, thought S. Smallii (S. lanceolata) more effective in syphilis than any of the commercial species.
CHEMISTRY
The main active fraction of the various species has usually been considered to consist of saponin glycosides. since they are steriod-like compounds, and because of its reputation as a male rejuvenating tonic, many have made claims that sarsaparilla contains active steroid hormones.
Paltta first isolated parillin, probably a mixture of saponin glycosides (it foamed upon shaking with water) in 1824. this mixture has also been called smilacin, salseparin, sarsaparillin and parallinic acid. Fluckiger determined that there was about 0.19% in an unidentified Smilax species.
The major saponin glycosides with steriod like nuclei (from the new world species) are now recognized as sarsaponin, smilacin, sitosterol-d-glucoside, and pollinastanin. they occur in the plants along with their genins and other steroids as sarsapogenin, smilgenin, sitosterol, stigmasterol and pollinastanol. One modern figure indicated the usual level of steriod saponins in unidentified Smilax species, indicated to be sarsaparilla, as 1.8-2.4%. (Wagner, H., et al. 1984)
Other constituents include, paroaparic acid, sarsapic acid, resin, volatile oil, starch, a mixture of fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, behenic, oleic and linoleic), oxalic acid and a polysaccharide.
The mineral ions were quantified in the dry root of Honduran sarsaparilla and determined to be 1.25% SiO, 0.42% Al, 0.41% Ca, 0.30% Mg, 1.25% K and 0.46% Cl. The vitamin C content of Mexican sarsaparilla, S. aristolochiaefolia (dry root) was determined to be 19.4 mg%.
More recent work has been done on Smilax aspera, the European species, than on the new world species. The constituents identified include sarsapogenin, tigogenin (var. mauritanica), asperoside, 31-norcycloartanol, and from the essential oil, methylvanillin and piperonol. Diosgenin, a common phytosterol, has been isolated from Smilax china.
PHARMACOLOGY
After all the interest in sarsaparilla from both the medical profession, public and patent medicine manufacturers over the years, it is somewhat surprising that so little clinical and laboratory testing has been done on it. There is no sound evidence in the scientific literature to support the many fantastic claims that have been made for sarsaparilla, especially as a male rejuvenator or energy tonic.
Nonetheless, one cannot completely rule out the possibility that those plants have pharmacological activity. Perhaps, as the famous American physician, and co-author of the US Dispensatory, George Wood, suggest:
"It seems to me impossible to resist the conclusion ... that a remedy cannot be quite inert, which has so often risen into notice after neglect, and which, though considered useless by many, has the voice of the greater number, and those probably the most experienced, in its favor."
There are a few interesting studies on the pharmacology of sarsaparilla that bear mention, which are summarized in table 1. It must be noted that all of the clinical studies cited in the literature are from the period 1933-1951. None of the studies are performed blind, some of them being reports of subjective improvement among subjects.
TABLE #1 Findings Reference "Renotrat", a sarsaparilla preparation, increased urinary excretion of Uric Acid resulting in a 30% drop in blood levels Humpert, Fritz (1933) Klin. Wochschr 12; 1696 (CA 28:828) Sarsaparilla aqueous extract had a beneficial effect in cases of eczema and psoriasis. Leclerc, Henri (1938) Presse Med. 46:284 (CA 32:5505) Sarsaparilla root "showed diuretic action in the rat and increased the elimination of chloride and uric acid" Jaretzky, Robert (1951)
Pharmazie 6: "An extract of Smilax ornata corresponding to 15g of root given twice a day for several months gave better results in lepers than did sulfones." 115-117 Rollier, R, et 776-780. al. (1951). Maroc med. 30: (CA 46: 1719g).
One recent question being hotly discussed in the herb industry is the nature of sarsaparilla's action on the sexual hormones, if any. Sarsaparilla has been widely touted as a male sexual rejuvenator, some even contending that it contains actual human testosterone. This report, however, (by G. Singer) is from non-technical advocacy literature.
Commercial products abound that either openly declare sarsaparilla to be a good source of anabolic steroids or infer it. The major market seems to be centered around the recent "body building" craze. It is known that many athletes, both professional and amateur use steroid drugs which could be harmful to health. Officials have banned such use, and initiated testing to safeguard against many who ignore the regulations.
This coupled with several highly publicized deaths from steroid use may be the reasons for the present search for safe and legal substitutes. Neither scientific study, nor folklore evidence supports the use of Smilax for increasing muscle mass.
Chemical analysis to date has found no testosterone-like compounds in sarsaparilla. One report indicated that the drug contains progesterone and cortin (hormone from the suprarenal cortex), but with no reference to actual scientific research. According to the recent article by Singer, Russel Marker and Ewald Rohrman "first found testosterone, the male sex hormone, in sarsaparilla." Marker is well known for his work in the area of steroidal saponins, but a review of his research, mostly published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in the 1930's reveals only that he was able to synthetically produce testosterone from sarsapogenin (a component of some Smilax species) and diosgenin.
An interesting New York Times article entitled "Sarsaparilla Root has Vitality Drug" and a book on aphrodisiacs by Walton both cite work by a Hungarian-born researcher, living in Mexico, by the name of Emerick Solmo. In Walton's book, it is claimed that Solmo:
"removed the bark from the root, [pulverized it], and extracted by various processes some odorless white crystals. These were then mixed with a saline solution similar to the fluids of the body, and used as a solution for injection, or, conversely, made up in the form of tablets. Many thousands of clinical tests were made with this substance on both animals and human beings, and it was conclusively proved that "sarsaparilla testosterone" possessed the identical properties of animal and cholesterol testosterone."
A literature search does not turn up any papers on Solmo's work, but they may be published in a Mexican journal that is not listed in the major indexes.
Testosterone, estradoil, cortisone and several of their derivatives could not be detected in Smilax officinalis (=S. regelii) using thin layer chromatography. A report of the recent tests, signed by A.J. Vlietink of Laboratorium voor Farmacognisie, Dept. Farmaceutische Wetenschappen, Wilrijk, Belgium stated that "none of the reference hormones could be ascertained in a concentration of more than 0.008%.
In reviewing this report, it must be kept in mind that the tests were only performed using one commercial sample, supplied by Gepharma-Netherland, and not a vouchered sample. This leaves the question open as to its true identity.
Testosterone has not been reported to occur in any plant and other human hormones are rare in plants, being found only in very small quantities in some pollens and seeds. While it is still possible that sarsaparilla may have hormonal effects, the many claims being made for this plant are made without the backing of substantive scientific research.
Further testing should be done, using vouchered samples of at least the three most commonly traded species, S. aristolochiaefolia, S. officinalis and S. ornata. These samples should be as freshly dried as possible, to avoid degradation of active constituents.
Most of the past work with sarsaparilla must be called into question, because of lack of documented starting material (both for freshness and identity). Lastly, the plants should be tested for their possible active metabolites through changes in blood serum levels and urinary excretion of active hormones.
CLINICAL USES
Much has been written about the clinical uses of sarsaparilla, from the mid-1600's until the mid-1900's, three hundred years. As mentioned, some physicians felt that sarsaparilla was inert and had no clinical value, while many others used it.
Determining whether or not a particular drug plant has activity should be based, in part, on the folk record of traditional use. In Jamaica, Cuba and Mexico, several species of Smilax are used in indigenous medicine. These include Smilax mexicana, S. papyracea, S. regelii, S. havanensis and S. domonhensis.
Morton documents the traditional uses of these species for blood purification, syphilis, as a stimulant and tonic, for gout, rheumatism, skin conditions, and as an "aphrodisiacal potion, to promote man's nature or courage (with other plants)."
The question must be asked whether these uses were in practice before the Spaniards invaded the new world. In North America, the Amerindians used several Smilax species, including Smilax bona-nox, S. glauca, S. herbacea, S. laurifolia, S. pseudo-china, S. rotundifolia and S. tamnoides for various complaints.
These include its use as a general tonic, "to make one young", for urinary disturbances, rheumatism, stomach troubles, kidney troubles, and as a gynecological aid. At least seven different tribes used these plants, suggesting that some of the uses might have been established without the influence from Spanish or other European settlers. If so, the uses are remarkably coherent with those of the uses reported from European medicine.
If Smilax does prove to have useful clinical applications, several points are worth emphasizing.
1: The quality of the drug is important, if one is to expect clinical activity. The best sarsaparilla imparts a slightly nauseating, acrid taste to the mouth. The more acrid the drug, the better, even to the point of inducing a burning sensation in the throat. Presumably, this response is stimulated by the presence of saponins, which are known to be irritating to the mucous membranes.
It is the author's experience that Jamaican sarsaparilla is only mildly acrid, Mexican and Honduran, more so. When the drug is old, much activity has been probably lost. Uneven quality may be one reason for the swings of popularity the drug has experienced.
If Smilax saponins prove useful, chemical assays by HPLC or TLC could be an invaluable in ascertaining quality.
2: Sarsaparilla was not considered by early practitioners to be fast-acting. Many practitioners who have written about its action have stated that its use must be persisted in. This can be seen by the following statement from Wood's Therapeutics (1883).
"The curative effect of sarsaparilla is very slow, because the alterative change of tissue upon which its efficacy probably depends, is also slow; and this very slowness may constitute one of its real merits; as it seems difficult seriously to abuse a remedy of such feeble physiological action.
But gradually, under its use, the appetite often increases, the general nutrition improves, the secretions assume their normal state... A new and healthy tissue has taken the place of the old and diseased."
Wood and other practitioners used sarsaparilla mostly for syphilis, chronic rheumatism, various forms of scrofulous disease (tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands) and skin diseases. Pereira says of it:
"acts as a powerful and valuable alterative tonic (Term originally used for drugs said to reestablish healthy functions of the system). Its continued use is often attended with improvement of appetite and digestion, augmentation of strength, increase of flesh..."
Phillips claims in his "Materia Medica" that the continued use of sarsaparilla causes an "increase of flesh and muscular power," through improving digestion and assimilation. He asserts that it is both a medicine and a food. Formerly, the Smilax species with the highest starch content were considered the most efficacious.
Sarsaparilla has also been extensively used in the food industry as a flavor component and foaming agent in root beer, frozen dairy desserts, candy and baked goods, and it has been approved for food use by the FDA.
As of 1985, sarsaparilla was official in the pharmacopoeias of Belgium, China, Japan and Portugal as a flavoring extract or decoction. Japan and China specify Smilax glabra.
Sarsaparilla is most often used as a water decoction, liquid extract or compound decoction. The liquid extract is made by percolating the powdered drug with and equal weight to volume of 20% ethanol and 80% distilled water menstruum with 10% glycerin added.
The British Pharmaceutical Code gives the official formula for the compound decoction as follows:
Sarsaparilla, 125 g; sassafras root, 12.5 g; guaiacum wood, 12.5 g; licorice 12.5 g; mezereon, 6.25 g and distilled water to 1L.
"Macerate the sarsaparilla root, licorice and mezereon for one hour with 1500 ml of distilled water, then boil for ten minutes, cool, strain, and, if necessary, pour sufficient distilled water over the contents of the strainer to produce the required volume."
The dose is given as 1/4 to 1 fluid oz.
(Note: HerbalGram does not recommend this decoction for any medical purpose and hastens to add that sassafras is banned from food use because it contains the carcinogenic chemical safrole. Mezereon is reportedly toxic --- Ed.)
ADULTERANTS
Sarsaparilla has been commonly adulterated on the commercial market throughout its history of use. The most common adulterant, still in use today, is "Hemidesmus indicus" (=Periploca indica), the Indian sarsaparilla. The author has seen commercial products labeled "Mexican sarsaparilla" that actually contained "Hemidesmus".
The two are easy to distinguish. Hemidesmus is dark brown, has a slight bitter taste and a strong smell of vanilla. Species of Smilax will have a bland taste, no smell and a light color.
The different sarsaparilla (Mexican, Jamaican and Honduran, ect.) can be differentiated by appearance when in their whole form. When a powdered sample is to be tested for authenticity, there are many microscopic descriptions and photographs in the literature for reference, and although some skill is required, microscopic analysis can provide conclusive evidence of adulteration.
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a good method for determining the presence of sarsaponin, which might rule out some adulterants.
Other common adulterants mentioned in the literature include Carex arenaria (German sarsaparilla), Agave cubensis, Muehlenbeckia. Other non-official species of Smilax are also substituted, namely, S. aspera (Portuguese sarsaparilla), S. prolifers (Italian sarsaparilla), S. excelsa (Spanish sarsaparilla), S. rotundifolia (Syrian sarsaparilla), and S. glauca (Macedonian sarsaparilla).
CONCLUSIONS
As the reader can surmise from the foregoing paper, there is no "scientific" rationale for the medicinal use of sarsaparilla. This is not to say that it is inactive or useless as a source of medicine.
A long history of folk use for parallel ailments in several diverse cultures may provide clues to the nature of its activity. However, research to determine the nature of its activity, if any, as well as to set standards for active species, levels of active constituents and fingerprinting of true species and adulterants, using TLC and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), still awaits interested researchers.
As most people in the world still use medicinal drug plants for their primary health care, and their popularity is increasing in this country, as well as other industrialized nations, sarsaparilla may find a place in the medicine of the future.
About the Author: Christopher Hobbs, from Santa Cruz Cal. is a third generation botanist who researches and writes about medicinal herbs.
[ 24. January 2006, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Mo ]
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
GIGI, Where to find eyebright? Thanks
Posts: 905 | From Santa Cruz,Calif | Registered: Aug 2005
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caat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2321
posted
Thanks Mo
>>>>It's high regard in syphillis at the turn of the century intrigued me.
me too.
>>>One of it's effects, it seems, as one example - being misinterpreted as the herb containing testosterone, when it does not. No (whole) herb does. It builds strength over the long term, but that is not due to actual hormone content.
yes, saw that. That's why I said "correlates to" testostrone. It might have plant hormones that have an effect simular to testostrone.
Ginseng does... I used to take Korean ginseng, loved the stuff! It isn't an aphrodesiac per se, but it does have sort of a slow release testostrone effect in some ways- more energy and sort of a well balanced confidence- probley different from human testostrone, but definitely had an effect... But ginseng is contradicted in the TCM school of thought for people with fever or "hot" infections. Oh well, I have plenty of testostrone anyway for a woman.
Posts: 1436 | From Humboldt county ca usa | Registered: Mar 2002
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Santa Cruz, re Eyebright tincture - most healthfood stores carry it.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
So, MO, WHERE are we AT NOW?
I just checked on the bag of bulk Sarsaparilla, (correct spelling, by the way), that I got from StarWest Botanicals, and it is the Item #202075-51, Sarsaparilla Root PWD Indian, Hemedesmus Indicus. Origin: INDIA. Kosher Certified by Kosher Certification Services.
SO, is THIS GOOD or BAD? It is adulterated according to your article, but is that BAD or GOOD?
WILL I get the SAME results of blood cleaning, arthritus and asthma help, I was expecting from the UNadulterated Smilax?
I could NOT find anything on THAT in your article.
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by JimBoB: [QB] WOW GiGi, YOU appear to be a walking encyclopedia!!!
Not appear, she IS a walking encyclopedia.
Ewok
Posts: 33 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2005
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
There is a way to test some of your herbal powders or roots for having been fumigated, etc., and cleared of everything living:
Put some in water and boil it a bit as if you were making a decoction. Let it sit after that - covered or not. - I let mine sit covered in a tiny bottle. 1-1/2 days later I looked at it and it had a bit of mold growing/or fungi/whatever --.
That means it was definitely not fumigated or treated in a way to destroy effectiveness of the herb.
Of course you do not use it like that, but almost have to cook the decoction daily or at least put it in the fridge and don't make too much at one time.
I was going to use my first batch on my sweet senior poodle to wash her eyes. But instead I cooked another one.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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in the tv series, "lewis and clark," historian ambrose, ph.d., stated that one of clark, or lewis, as best i recall, gave their men sarsaparilla when they showed signs of syphylis.
one would infer from this, and from the events described by ambrose about their behavior after exhibiting syphylitc Sx that these guys, and pocahantus, if she, too, were syphylitic, that sarsaparilla had a positive effect on their ability to function.
best i recall, considering that these guys, as ambrose said, were: a) "...burning 20,000 calories/day...", b) exhibited syphilytic Sx,for which they were given sarsaparilla, c)the inference from statements by ambrose about their activity level, AFTER having taken sarsaparilla. d) they exhibited syphilitic Sx, approx. a 1/2-2/3 of the way TO the pacific coast, AND made the journey BACK to the east coast, i'd say that sarsaparilla had some positive effect on their ability to function, and to function at a high level of activity requiring strenght, speed, timing, and accuracy of implementation of a given task, and to do so according to the dictates of demands by the physical terrain, battles engaged-in with land, grizzely bears; cats; indians; hauling hundreds, if not thousands of pounds across land; up rivers, across rivers; up and down steep, mountainous slopes, and so on.....
any serious athlete--NFL player, marine boot camp soldiers, high school wrestlers, for example-- know what its like to burn 20K cal./day....stamina, endurance, at high levels of physical activity, requiring strenght, speed, and timing...
so , i'd say that sarsaparilla has some positive effect. what, i don't know.
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
MO: I got an answer from Stephen Buhner today to my email and he recommends Raintree Nutrition for all bulk herbs, IF at all possible, and says their Sarsaparilla is GOOD. He had other recommendations too, but I will put that on a NEW POST, hopefully in the next couple of days.
He does NOT recommend any adulterated herbs of any kind. Jim
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