What Is Sarsaparilla Used for?
Sarsaparilla is the generic name for three separate plants: Smilax regelii, or Jamaican sarsaparilla; Smilax glyciphylla, or sweet sarsaparilla; and Hardenbergia violacea, or native sarsaparilla. Most references to sarsaparilla refer to Jamaican or sweet sarsaparilla, vines that grow in South America and Australia. Sarsaparilla has had a number of uses over the years, although today its uses are more limited. Sarsaparilla is also called sasparilla; sassafrass is a similar vine often used in place of authentic sarsaparilla.
