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Sarsaparilla Supplement: Which Smilax Is It, and What Does the Evidence Rest On?
Sarsaparilla is a name shared by several Smilax plants. Memorial Sloan Kettering says every listed use of Smilax glabra rests on lab or animal studies, that clinical studies have not been conducted and that no safety data are listed. It warns not to confuse it with Smilax officinalis. SodaPeak's label says only sarsaparilla.
Written by the SodaPeak label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Which plant01
Which plant is sarsaparilla?
A common name for several Smilax species, which are not interchangeable.
Memorial Sloan Kettering warns that Smilax glabra should not be confused with Smilax officinalis, another species called sarsaparilla (MSK, Smilax glabra). SodaPeak's panel lists sarsaparilla and does not give a species, a plant part or an amount. That leaves the reader unable to match the capsule to any monograph.
What MSK says02
What does the evidence rest on?
Lab and animal studies. No clinical studies have been conducted, according to MSK.
| Topic | Note |
|---|---|
| Listed uses | Cancer, arthritis, infections, kidney disease, immune stimulation: lab or animal studies only |
| Clinical studies | Not conducted |
| Medicines | Lab studies suggest effects on medicines processed by CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 |
| Safety data | None listed |
This site repeats these as a record of what a source says. It makes no claim for any of those uses.
SodaPeak03
Where does sarsaparilla sit on the label?
Sixth, with a ceiling of 200 mg per serving and no stated amount.
The ceiling is arithmetic from the blend rule (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)). The sarsaparilla page covers the plant. A sometimes-heard claim that sarsaparilla acts like a steroid is not made by MSK, so this site does not repeat it.
1,200 mgone Proprietary Blend per serving of 2 capsules, 8 names, no amount printed for any of them
- ≤ 1,200mg1Horny goat weed
- ≤ 600mg2Tongkat ali
- ≤ 400mg3Saw palmetto
- ≤ 300mg4Nettle root
- ≤ 240mg5Wild yam
- ≤ 200mg6Sarsaparilla
- ≤ 171.4mg7Orchic substance
- ≤ 150mg8Boron amino acid chelate
Each ridge is a ceiling, not a measured amount: names in a blend are listed from most to least by weight (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)), so the name in place n can weigh at most 1,200 mg divided by n. The first name must weigh at least 1,200 mg divided by 8, which is 150 mg. The real split is not printed.
SodaPeak Capsules: 60 per bottle30 servings of 2 capsules · 1, 2, 3 or 6 bottles · price shown at checkout
See packsMedicines04
Who should be careful?
People on medicines processed by CYP3A4 or CYP2D6.
MSK's page lists them under those who should not take it. A pharmacist can check your list. NCCIH advises telling all providers about every supplement (NCCIH, Using Supplements Wisely).
Ordering05
What about ordering?
The order buttons lead to checkout. This site makes no claim for sarsaparilla.
Check your medicines with a clinician first.
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FAQ06
SodaPeak questions people ask
What is sarsaparilla?
A common name for several Smilax plants, not one species.
Is there clinical evidence?
MSK says clinical studies have not been conducted for Smilax glabra.
Does it interact with medicines?
Lab studies suggest effects on medicines processed by CYP3A4 or CYP2D6.
Does the label name a species?
No. It lists sarsaparilla only.
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the seller brief and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized SodaPeak Retailer. It is not the manufacturer, and it does not name one. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Sources and links (3)
- Smilax glabra (Tufuling), About Herbs Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2022
- 21 CFR 101.36 - Nutrition labeling of dietary supplements Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (U.S. National Archives / GPO), 2026
- Using Dietary Supplements Wisely National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH), 2019
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