3 Reasons to Drink Sarsaparilla Tea

Leslie Benson

Sarsaparilla-TeaIs there anything better than a hot cup of tea when it's cold outside? We certainly don't think so. In addition to providing all the cozy comfort you could want, many teas offer plenty of health benefits that may help with relaxation, digestion, congestion, and other ailments while you sip. This is the case with sarsaparilla tea, which is made from a perennial vine that is thought to promote healthy-looking skin and detoxification. Sarsaparilla tea goes by a few names, including Jamaican sarsaparilla, Indian sarsaparilla, sarsa, and sarsaparilla. It is made from a medicinal herb that has been used all around the globe for hundreds of years. It was also common for westerners to drink sarsaparilla tea back in the 19th century, and from 1820 to 1910, the U.S. Pharmacopeia listed it as a means of treating syphilis. While the Food and Drug Administration no longer lists sarsaparilla as a medicinal drug, there's reason to believe this herb can offer lots of potential health benefits. Research has found that a number of chemical properties give sarsaparilla the potential to support many areas of the body. For example:
  • Saponins. These chemical compounds may help to disrupt bad microbes in the body.
  • Plant sterols. Sterols are found in lots of high-fiber foods, and they help with digestion, heart health, and gut health.
  • Flavonoid antioxidants. These antioxidants are linked to healthy-looking skin, eye health, and general wellness.
On top of these health promoting chemicals, sarsaparilla contains traces of essential minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Benefits of Sarsaparilla Tea So, you get the gist; sarsaparilla root contains lots of helpful chemicals and minerals. But you might be wondering about the direct impact of drinking this type of tea. Here are three potential benefits that may inspire you to brew a cup of sarsaparilla tea right away:
  1. Help battle bloat. Many of us struggle with bloating and digestive discomfort - especially after several weeks of eating special treats and heavy meals during the holiday season. The good news is, sarsaparilla may help with bloating and fluid retention. This may be related to the way the herb interacts with your liver. Research shows that sarsaparilla binds with endotoxins within the GI tract, and helps remove them from your system, providing relief in your digestive tract.
  2. Balance hormone levels. Sarsaparilla contains both saponins and plant steroids - two chemicals that mimic the effects of natural reproductive hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Drinking sarsaparilla tea or using an extract may support balanced hormone levels.
  3. Help soothe common cold symptoms. Sarsaparilla tea has long been used to treat seasonal challenges by helping to calm the respiratory system. It's also possible that this herb may help the body deal with internal disruptions by supporting the immune system. While sarsaparilla isn't a cure for illnesses, it could help ease the symptoms that make getting sick so uncomfortable, such as mucus build-up and persistent coughing.
In addition to those benefits, sarsaparilla tea may help promote healthy-looking skin, too. It has long been considered a holistic remedy for skin rashes, wounds, or infections. While there is limited research to support this claim, a study in Clinical Chemistry suggests that sarsaparilla contains properties that may help ease symptoms such as itchiness, redness and peeling. While you can make pure sarsaparilla tea by steeping chopped or shredded sarsaparilla root in water, Natural Health Concepts offers several teas that include sarsaparilla as well as other beneficial ingredients. Many of our teas are specially formulated to help you achieve certain health goals, such as stress relief. If you would prefer to gain the potential health benefits of sarsaparilla through an extract, we have plenty of other products that may suit your needs, too. Do you use sarsaparilla tea for the potential health benefits? If so, we'd love to hear more about your experience in the comments!
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About the Author

Leslie Benson

A Midwest-raised journalist and content marketing specialist living in Nashville, Tennessee, Leslie has been a natural health advocate for over 10 years. She is the Senior Content Marketing Manager of Renew Wellness Brands, which is the parent company of NHC. When she’s not at the local farmers’ market, you can find her writing songs and snuggling with her pets.

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