In the fields and wastelands of Europe we can find a plant that looks so much like the blackberry, that it is known as sarsaparilla or Moorish bramble. It is a very fast growing climbing shrub which is often seen growing and developing on the trunks of trees and other plant beings.
It produces cylindrical berries very similar to cherries, but unfortunately they are slightly human. However, its root is edible ... and medicinal.
What is sarsaparilla like?
Our protagonist, whose scientific name is Smilax rough, is a climbing shrub that has thin stems, up to 15m long and protected with thorns. The leaves are heart-shaped, alternate, rough, petiolate and perennial. These, at the base of each petiole, have two tendrils.
The flowers are creamy-yellow in color and appear in axillary clusters. Once they are pollinated, the fruits begin to ripen, which take the shape of a globose berry that contains one to three seeds.
For what do you use it?
The roots of this plant are edible, and are often used medicinally. They have diuretic and purifying properties; They help reduce cholesterol levels, improve the symptoms of rheumatic diseases and those of the skin, such as acne, eczema or herpes. They can also be used to prevent kidney stones.
Sarsaparilla is certainly very interesting, right? But, How can we take advantage of its benefits? Very simple: we only have to macerate two tablespoons of dried root for 12 hours in half a liter of water, and then follow this step by step:
- We put in a saucepan a small spoonful of pieces of root for each cup of water.
- Bring it to a boil and when it starts to boil, we put it on a low heat for 10-15 minutes.
- It will be necessary to filter the decoction while it is hot.
Taking two glasses a day we will achieve better health.
What do you think?