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    Home»Fruits»Smilax-Smilax aspera
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    Smilax-Smilax aspera

    By s mNovember 23, 2016Updated:March 7, 2019No Comments5 Mins Read
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    Smilax Quick Facts
    Name: Smilax
    Scientific Name: Smilax aspera
    Origin The plant of Smilax is cultivated on the banks of Magadalena which was collected in 1805 by Humboldt. It is known as Sarzaparilla by the native people. It was sent to Jamaica and Carthagena.
    Colors Red, black (Fruit)
    Shapes Globose berries, Diameter: 8-10 mm (0.31-0.39 inch); Length: 10 mm; Broad: 7 mm (Fruit)
    Calories 100 Kcal./cup
    Major nutrients Vitamin E (194.00%)
    Total dietary Fiber (49.47%)
    Calcium (35.30%)
    Manganese (23.96%)
    Iron (20.75%)
    Health benefits Anti-inflammatory properties, Enhance immunity, Lose weight, Prevents cancer, Enhance fertility
    More facts about Smilax
    Smilax aspera is a perennial, evergreen vine along with prickly stems. Common smilax, Rough bindweed, Sarsaparilla, Mediterranean smilax, Prickly-ivys, Catbriers, Greenbriers, Wild Sarsaparill, Smilaxes, Rough Bindweed, Prickly ivy, The Common Smilax, Rough Smilax, Italian Sarsaparilla and Mediterranean Smilax are the common names of Smilax. The plant of Smilax is cultivated on the banks of Magadalena which was collected in 1805 by Humboldt. It is known as Sarzaparilla by the native people. It was sent to Jamaica and Carthagena. The stems are flexible and delicate with sharp spines. It bears flowers from September to November.

    Plant

    The deciduous plant grows upto 1-4 meters (3 ft. 3 inch-13 ft. 1 inch) long which lives upto more than two years. The leaves are 8-10 cm (3.1-3.9 inch) long, alternate, heart shaped, toothed with spiny margins. It bears small fragrant flowers and its color ranges from yellowish to greenish. Fruits are globose berries that measures about 8-10 mm (0.31-0.39 inch) in diameter, 10 mm long and 7 mm broad. The berries are usually red or black. Each fruit bears one to three tiny and round seeds about 4 mm long in dark brown or black color.

    Smilax Image Gallery
    Smilax-berries Smilax-berries
    Smilax-close-up-flowers Smilax-close-up-flowers
    Smilax-foliage-and-flowers Smilax-foliage-and-flowers

    Smilax-leaves Smilax-leaves
    Smilax-plant Smilax-plant
    Smilax-plant-illustration Smilax-plant-illustration

    Health Benefits of Smilax

    Smilax is the member of the lily family which is used for medicinal uses. It is used as an aid for health problems such as skin ailments and syphilis. It helps to purify the blood. It lowers the toxins in the body. The roots and berries have various health benefits. It could be added to the diets in the form of tincture and teas. It could be added to the stews, soups, drinks, desserts and supplements.

    1. Anti-inflammatory properties

    The inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, gout, muscle & joint ache could be relieved with the use of Smilax. It possesses the compounds like parillin, saponins and flavonoids that ease the flare ups in body and ease discomfort as well as pain. (1)

    1. Enhance immunity

    The berries of Smilax possess antibacterial properties that help to promote the immunity power. It prevents the chances of skin infection and improves the body’s response to the illness and colds. (2)

    1. Lose weight

    The research shows that Smilax helps to restrain appetite. It assists to lose weight. The addition of supplements helps to restrict cravings. (3)

    1. Prevents cancer

    The root of Smilax contains antioxidants that act as an effective remedy for the cancer. The results were positive between the sterol and flavonoid content and also lower the cancer cells. The presence of antioxidants helps to nullify the free radicals. (4)

    1. Enhance fertility

    Smilax raises the men and women libido in order to increase fertility. The root extracts contains the organic compounds that helps to raise the flow of blood and enhance the sperm motility. It also promotes the sex drive. (5)

    1. Maintains skin health

    Smilax possesses antibacterial properties. It helps to maintain the skin appearance and makes it look young. It alleviates the appearance of wrinkles and lowers the age spots appearance when it is eaten or applied to the skin. (6)

    1. Detoxification

    Smilax is considered to be diuretic which promotes the urination in the people. It helps to detoxify and purify the body by eliminating the presence of excess salts, fats, water and toxins. In addition, Smilax purifies the blood and increase the maintenance of health by lowering the strain on kidneys and liver. (7)

    Traditional uses

    • The root is considered to be depurative, demulcent, alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic and stimulant.
    • The application of ripe fruits to the skin helps to treat scabies.
    • It is useful for skin ailments, muscle relaxation, rheumatic pain and considered to be diaphoretic, diuretic, dropsy and depurative.
    • In South and Central America it is used to treat skin ailments, rheumatism, sexual impotence and physical weakness.
    • In Honduras and Peru, it is used to cure joint pain and headaches.
    • It is used to purify the blood and cures gonorrhea, syphilis, gout, wounds, rheumatism, fever, arthritis, hypertension, scrofula, cough, psoriasis, cancer, hypertension and skin diseases.
    • It helps to cure rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease and promote sweating.
    • It treats syphilis and leprosy.
    • In traditional medicine, it is used to treat flatulence, skin disorders, cognitive ailments and senile dementia.

     Precautions                                                                                            

    • The diabetic and kidney patients should not use it in high amounts.
    • The allergic people should avoid the use of Smilax.
    • It should be used in moderate amounts.

    How to Eat         

    • The roots are added to soups and stews.
    • The young shoots are consumed raw and cooked like asparagus.
    • The berries are consumed raw as well as cooked.
    • The tendrils could also be consumed.
    • It is used as an ingredient in soft drinks.

    Other Facts        

    • The stem has strong and sharp spines.
    • The leaves are glossy and arranged alternately on the stem.
    • Roots are used for the production of soft drink and beer.
    • About 40 types of birds use Smilax as a food source.
    • Rabbits and white tailed deer use leaves of Smilax as a food source.
    • Beavers eat root and black bears eat berries.
    • The upper part of the plant can live upto 2-4 years.

    References:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smilax_aspera

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smilax

    http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/179460/

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=34514

    http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Smilax+aspera

    http://www.floracatalana.net/smilax-aspera-l

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=896986#null

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    Smilax Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Smilax aspera

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Class Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
    Subclass Liliidae
    Order Liliales
    Family Smilacaceae (Catbrier family)
    Genus Smilax L. (Greenbrier)
    Synonyms
    • Smilax aspera subsp. balearica (Willk. ex A. DC.) Romo
    • Smilax aspera subsp. balearica (Willk. ex A.DC.) K.Richt.    
    • Smilax aspera subsp. mauritanica (Poir.) Arcang.
    • Smilax aspera subsp. nigra (Willd.) Nyman
    • Smilax aspera var. altissima Moris & De Not.
    • Smilax aspera var. angustifolia DC.
    • Smilax aspera var. balearica Willk. ex A.DC.
    • Smilax aspera var. maculata (Roxb. ex D.Don) A.DC.
    • Smilax aspera var. nigra (Willd.) A.DC.
    • Smilax aspera var. ochrocarpa A.DC.
    • Smilax aspera var. perrottetiana A.DC.
    • Smilax balearica (Willk. ex A.DC.) Burnat & Barbey
    • Smilax brevipes Jord.
    • Smilax capitata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
    • Smilax catalonica Poir.
    • Smilax conferta Jord.
    • Smilax excelsa Duhamel
    • Smilax goetzeana Engl.
    • Smilax inermis Jord.
    • Smilax intricatissima Jord.
    • Smilax longipes Gand.
    • Smilax maculata Roxb.
    • Smilax maculata Roxb. ex D.Don
    • Smilax mauritanica Desf.
    • Smilax mauritanica Poir.
    • Smilax mauritanica subsp. vespertilionis (Boiss.) K.Richt.   
    • Smilax mauritanica var. vespertilionis Boiss.
    • Smilax mauritanica Webb & Berthel.
    • Smilax nigra Willd.
    • Smilax nilagirensis Steud. ex A.DC.
    • Smilax oxycarpa Jord.
    • Smilax peduncularis Jord.
    • Smilax pendulina Lowe
    • Smilax picta K.Koch
    • Smilax platyphylla Jord.
    • Smilax rettiana Willis ex Livera
    • Smilax rigida Sol. ex Sm.
    • Smilax sagittata Desv. ex Ham.
    • Smilax sagittifolia Lodd.
    • Smilax saxicola Gand.
    • Smilax tetragona L.f.
    • Smilax variabilis Pers.
    • Smilax willkommii Gand.
    Nutritional value of Fresh tender shoots and leaves of Smilax
    Serving Size: 100 g

    Calories 100 K cal. Calories from Fat 8.55 K cal.

    Proximity Amount % DV
    Water 64.1 g N/D
    Energy 100 Kcal N/D
    Protein 3.5 g 7.00%
    Total Fat (lipid) 0.95 g 2.71%
    Ash 2.44 g N/D
    Carbohydrate 9.92 g 7.63%
    Total dietary Fiber 18.8 g 49.47%

     
    Minerals Amount % DV
    Calcium, Ca 353 mg 35.30%
    Iron, Fe 1.66 mg 20.75%
    Magnesium, Mg 61.2 mg 14.57%
    Potassium, K 180 mg 3.83%
    Zinc, Zn 2.13 mg 19.36%
    Manganese, Mn 0.551 mg 23.96%


     
    Fat soluble Vitamins
    Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 29.1 mg 194.00%
    Tocopherol, beta 4.5 mg N/D

     

    *Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weighs 194 lbs.

    Source:
    https://www.springer.com/

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