Approximately 3 million Americans have gout, a metabolic disease and form of arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Although traditional treatment seeks to end acute attacks and prevent recurrence through medications and changes in diet and lifestyle, practitioners of alternative medicine claim that the herb sarsaparilla may offer therapeutic results as well. Sarsaparilla's efficacy remains unsubstantiated, however, so check with your physician before use.
Gout
Gout occurs when uric acid, a waste product of the liver, appears in excessive quantities in the blood. Crystal deposits of uric acid may build up in the joints and other tissues, resulting in inflammation, heat, swelling and severe pain that commonly starts in the big toe. Recurring attacks over a period of several years can lead to chronic gout, causing irrevocable deformity to joints and damage to kidney cells. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, risk factors of gout include obesity, gender, family history, alcohol abuse, lead exposure and excessive consumption of foods containing purines, a substance found in foods such as anchovies, peas and liver.
About Sarsaparilla
Native to tropical rain forests and temperate regions in Australia and China, sarsaparilla, a woody climbing vine, grows to heights of 15 feet and bears broad ovate leaves, tendrils and green flowers. Long before artificial flavoring, manufacturers produced root beer with the flavorful herb. Sarsaparilla has a lengthy history of medicinal use in Mexico and the Caribbean, especially as an herbal remedy for syphilis and skin disorders.
Sarsaparilla Benefits
When uric acid crystals develop in your joints, painful symptoms of gout may occur. Sarsaparilla seems to improve the benefits of urination, accelerating the elimination of uric acid and decreasing the risk of gout, according to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing." Sarsaparilla provides phytosterols, anti-inflammatory and cleansing substances that relieve inflammation and may help treat rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Cautions and Considerations
Although sarsaparilla is generally recognized as safe, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cautions that some sarsaparilla products may contain harmful levels of lead. Sarsaparilla may irritate the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, and a dangerous interaction may occur when it is combined with pink bismuth. Avoid the herb if you suffer from ulcers, gastritis or kidney disease. Children and pregnant and nursing women should also refrain from using sarsaparilla.
References
- Arthritis Foundation; Arthritis Prevalence: A Nation in Pain
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; What Is Gout? Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Sarsaparilla
