Sarsaparilla

The root of a tropical climbing vine, traditionally used in homoeopathy for urinary discomfort, gravel and dry, itchy skin eruptions.

Sarsaparilla is the root of Smilax, a prickly climbing vine of Central and South America that can scramble high into the forest canopy. The dried root has long been traded as a tonic and once flavoured the soft drink of the same name. It is unrelated to Indian sarsaparilla, known as anantmool.

In homoeopathy it is best known for the urinary tract. Homoeopaths traditionally turn to it when passing urine is painful, especially at the very end, when the urine is sandy or carries gravel, and for kidney colic. It is also associated with dry, cracked skin and itchy rashes that flare in spring or hot weather.

• Painful urination
• Gravel in urine
• Kidney colic
• Dry, itchy skin rashes