Wild Sarsaparilla

Properties and Uses. The root is the medicinal part; has a pleasant balsamic odor; and yields its strength to both water and alcohol. It is relaxant and gently stimulant; mild and moderately slow in action; and expending its properties chiefly upon the skin and kidneys, and moderately upon the mucous structures of the lungs and uterus.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. The leaves in warm infusion are sudorific. It has a marked influence upon the secretions, and the circulation. The bark is diuretic and alterative, and has an especial action on the kidneys, increasing secretion and allaying irritation. Very valuable in dropsy, gravel, and suppression of urine, and other urinary disorders. The juice and decoction of the fresh roots are said to be emetic and hydragogue, and have been found efficient in dropsy. Dose of decoction (℥ss to aqua Oj), 2 to 4 ounces, 3 times a day. Specific aralia hispida, 1 to 30 drops.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. "This forms a valuable syrup, which may be used in all cases where an alterative is indicated; in chronic hepatitis, rheumatism, syphilis, scrofula, cutaneous diseases, ulcers, white swellings, rickets, necrosis, and every taint of the system. Some physicians add an ounce of the iodide of potassium to every pint of syrup. The dose is from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, 3 or 4 times a day, in about a gill of water" (J. King).

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. Indian sarsaparilla has been successfully employed in venereal diseases, especially in cases where the South American sarsaparilla has proved inefficient. Dr. Ashburner says that it increases the appetite, acts as a diuretic, and improves the general health; "plumpness, clearness, and strength, succeeding to emaciation, muddiness, and debility." Likewise said to be useful in affections of the kidneys, scrofula, cutaneous diseases, and thrush.