Jamaican sarsaparilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jamaican sarsaparilla |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Smilax
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| Species: |
ornata
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Smilax ornata is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America. Common names include sarsaparilla, Honduran sarsaparilla, and Jamaican sarsaparilla.
It is known in Spanish as zarzaparrilla, which is derived from the words zarza meaning "bramble" (from Basque sartzia "bramble"), and parrilla, meaning "little grape vine".
Uses
Food
Smilax ornata is used as the basis for a soft drink frequently called sarsaparilla. It is also a primary ingredient in old fashioned-style root beer, in conjunction with sassafras, which was more widely available prior to studies of its potential health risks.
Traditional medicine
Smilax ornata was considered by Native Americans to have medicinal properties.
Chemical constituents Gallery
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Triterpenes, a constituent of sarsaparilla
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Sarsaparilloside, a constituent of sarsaparilla
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Sarsaparilla R1, a constituent of sarsaparilla
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Sarsaparilla R2, a constituent of sarsaparilla
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Parillin, a constituent of sarsaparilla
See also
In Spanish: Smilax ornata para niños
