What Traditional “Root Beer” Ingredient Sarsaparilla Can Do for Your Eyes

The term “sarsaparilla” actually refers to several species of the genus Smilax,

including those known as Honduran, Jamaican, Mexican, and Indian sarsaparilla. The root-beer type drink made with or flavored by the roots of these plants was also called “sarsaparilla” on it’s own. It was particularly popular in America in the 19th century, and had a reputation as being a favored drink among cowboys in the Old West.

Though sarsaparilla is often considered a type of root beer, it shouldn’t be confused with regular root beer, which used to be made from the roots of the “sassafras” tree. Manufacturers extracted “safrole,” the oily liquid from the root bark of the sassafras plant and used it in the drink, but that ingredient isn’t used anymore because of health concerns.

Oh, and a bit of trivia for you Smurf fans—sarsaparilla leaves are their favorite food.

The plant itself is a brambled, woody vine that likes to climb up to 160 feet. It’s native to tropical and temperate areas, including Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, the West Indies, and South America, where it produces small flowers and berry-like fruits (red, black, or blue).

This is a vine you want to be cautious with, as the stems are prickly enough to make it a favorite for forming nearly impenetrable thickets. (No “keep out” sign needed!) It’s got a great reputation as a medical plant, however, and has been used for centuries to heal a number of conditions.

Sarsaparilla Root in Traditional Medicine

The main part used for medicinal purposes is the root, which is long and tuberous like a potato. Native American medicine men used it to treat skin ailments like psoriasis and dermatitis, and even leprosy, as well as taking it internally to treat sexual impotence and rheumatism.

Other ancient peoples in South America and elsewhere used the root to treat joint pain and headaches, and to help ease the common cold. It was also used to treat kidney disease, fluid retention or edema, fever, digestive problems, and syphilis. In fact, in the 1800s and early 1900s, the herb was listed officially as a syphiliss treatment because of its reputation as a “blood purifier.”

Today’s herbalists like sarsaparilla root for it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s also said to be a good detoxifying agent, as it seems to have the ability to bind to toxins in the bloodstream and help flush them out of the body.

Sarsaparilla in Skin Care

Sarsaparilla is a good source of “saponins,” which are natural carbohydrates found in plants. They have shown in studies to have good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and also have the “foaming” properties manufacturers liked for their carbonated drinks.

Sarsaparilla also contains flavonoids and nutrients like copper, iron, manganese, vitamins A and D, and zinc, making it a good anti-aging ingredient for the tender skin around the eyes.

We recently added it to our Anti-Aging Eye Cream. Here are the main benefits of sarsaparilla in skin care:

• Anti-inflammatory: Any inflammation quickly contributes to aging the skin, so we want to regularly cool inflammation down. Sarsaparilla has shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory, which is why it’s long been used to ease the pain of arthritis and rheumatism.
• Antioxidant: We want to protect the area around the eyes from exposure to UV rays and pollution, which can create damaging free radicals. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals before they can accelerate aging. Sarsaparilla contains natural antioxidants that help in this task.
• Anti-bacterial: Any disruption in the outer layer of skin can provide a way in for damaging bacteria. Sarsaparilla helps fight against bacteria, refusing to allow them to settle onto skin where they can cause inflammation or infections.
• Moisturizing: Sarsaparilla contains natural fats that contribute to skin’s own moisturizing properties.
• Wound-healer: This herb has a good reputation as a wound-healer, most likely because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties combined. In traditional medicine, it’s long been used to treat abscesses, sores, boils, and infections. This makes it a good choice for the skin around the eyes, as it provides a protective and calming action.
• Tonic: Typical words associated with sarsaparilla include “tones” and “balances.” It’s known for being an adaptogenic, which is an herb that can help reduce cellular stress and assist the body in adapting to external stresses. This action helps keep the skin around the eyes protected from whatever you may be going through in your day.

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