sarsaparilla

sarsaparilla
The dried root of Smilax aristolochiaefolia (Mexican s.), S. regelii (Honduras s.), S. febrifuga (Ecuadorian s.), or of undetermined species of Smilax (family Liliaceae), a thorny vine widely distributed throughout the tropical and semitropical world; it has been used in treatments of psoriasis, gout, rheumatism, and syphilis, and popularly as a “blood purifier.” [Sp. zarza, a bramble]

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sar·sa·pa·ril·la .sas-(ə-)pə-'ril-ə, .särs-, -'rel- n
1 a) any of various tropical American plants of the genus Smilax
b) any of various plants (as wild sarsaparilla, Aralia nudicaulis) that resemble or are used as a substitute for the sarsaparillas
2 a) the dried roots of any of several sarsaparillas of the genus Smilax (esp. S. aristolochiaefolia, S. febrifuga, and S. regelii) used now esp. as a flavoring and formerly for the diaphoretic, expectorant, and laxative effects of the saponins found in them and without curative effect in the treatment of syphilis
b) the roots of wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) used similarly

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sar·sa·pa·ril·la (sahr″sə-pə-rilґə) (sas″pə-rilґə) [Sp. zarzaparrilla, fr. zarza briar + parrilla vine] 1. any of various plants of the genus Smilax. 2. the dried root of any of various species of Smilax, used as a flavoring agent in beverages, and in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions and in homeopathy. It contains sarsasapogenin, a precursor in the manufacture of compounds in the pregnane series.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • sarsaparilla — [sas΄pə ril′ə, särs΄pə ril′ə; sär΄səril′ə] n. [Sp zarzaparrilla < zarza, bramble + parrilla, dim. of parra, vine] 1. any of a number of tropical American, spiny, woody vines (genus Smilax) of the lily family, with large, fragrant roots and… …   English World dictionary

  • Sarsaparilla — Sar sa*pa*ril la, n. [Sp. zarzaparrilla; zarza a bramble (perhaps fr. Bisc. zartzia) + parra a vine, or Parillo, a physician said to have discovered it.] (Bot.) (a) Any plant of several tropical American species of {Smilax}. (b) The bitter… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sarsaparilla — Sarsaparilla, 1) Sassaparille; Sarsaparillae radix (Sarsae radix, Sarsaparillwurzel), s. ebd.; 2) Deutsche S., so v.w. Carex arenaria …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • sarsaparilla — tropical American plant, 1570s, from Sp. zarzaparrilla, from zarza bramble (from Arabic sharas thorny plant or Basque sartzia bramble ) + parrilla, dim. of parra vine, of unknown origin. In 16c. 17c. the dried roots were held to be efficient in… …   Etymology dictionary

  • sarsaparilla — ► NOUN 1) a preparation of the dried roots of various plants, used to flavour drinks and medicines and formerly as a tonic. 2) a sweet drink flavoured with this. ORIGIN Spanish zarzaparilla, from zarza bramble + parra vine …   English terms dictionary

  • Sarsaparilla — Taxobox color = lightgreen divisio = Magnoliophyta classis = Liliopsida ordo = Liliales familia = Smilacaceae genus = Smilax species = S. regelii binomial = Smilax regelii binomial authority = Killip Morton synonyms = Smilax ornata Hook.f.: For… …   Wikipedia

  • sarsaparilla — /sas peuh ril euh, sahr seuh peuh , sahr speuh /, n. 1. any of various climbing or trailing tropical American plants belonging to the genus Smilax, of the lily family, having alternate leaves, umbels of flowers, and a root that has been used in… …   Universalium

  • sarsaparilla — /saspəˈrɪlə / (say sahspuh riluh) noun 1. any of various climbing or trailing plants of the widely distributed genus Smilax, having a root which has been much used in medicine as an alterant. 2. Also, native sarsaparilla. any of several plants,… …  

  • sarsaparilla — Regelio sarsaparilis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Sarsaparilinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Smilax regelii), paplitęs Centrinėje ir Pietų Amerikoje. Iš jo gaminami maisto priedai (kvėpikliai). atitikmenys: lot …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • sarsaparilla — noun Etymology: Spanish zarzaparrilla, from zarza bush + parrilla, diminutive of parra vine Date: 1577 1. a. any of various tropical American greenbriers b. the dried roots of a sarsaparilla used especially as a flavoring 2. any of various plants …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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