Sarsaparilla

[Jor-EL]

I just read that the herb, sarsaparilla binds endotoxins and has shown in studies to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis.
This came from a page out of "Interactive Medicine-ACCESS."

I then did a Google search of the two words:
sarsaparilla psoriasis
and came up with 15,500 references.

Has anyone else come across this in their research?

Jor-EL

[LottieBay]

I just did a forum search here to see if it had been mentioned before and I didn't get anything. Did you log onto any of the sites your google search found to read what they had to say? I'm curious.
Margaret

[Jor-EL]

Here is some info I found at one web site (Dave's Psoriasis Info-
http://www.psorsite.com/docs/herb_warnings.html):

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Sarsaparilla
A 1942 study indicated sarsaparilla might be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Unfortunately, the study was 'open', and so both the researchers and test subjects knew who was receiving the sarsaparilla and who was receiving the placebo - the test results were likely biased. More recent studies show that sarsaparilla can reduce inflammation by about 25% over no treatment whatsoever, which means it is possible that it can act as a symptom reducer for psoriasis, but much better drugs exist for the reduction of inflammation.

Sarsaparilla contains saponins, which have laxative and diuretic properties. Saponins may intensify the absorption of other medications being taken.



Jor-EL