Smilax glabra
Smilax glabra, commonly known as Sarsaparilla, is a perennial climbing vine valued for centuries in traditional medicine. Renowned for its revitalizing properties, its roots are utilized to treat skin conditions, inflammation, and blood impurities. This potent botanical serves as a vital tonic, promoting overall vitality and systemic detoxification.
- Scientific name: Smilax glabra
- Family: Smilacaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Smilax glabra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Liliales. Finally, it is classified under the family Smilacaceae and the genus Smilax.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Liliales | WCVP |
| Family | Smilacaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Smilax | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Smilax glabra, is recognized by various common names across different regions and languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 光滑菝葜 (zh-hans), 光滑菝葜 (zh-hant), and 光滑菝葜 (zh-hk). In Japan, it is commonly called ドブクリョウ (ja), while in Vietnam, it is known as Thổ phục linh (vi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 光滑菝葜 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 光滑菝葜 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 光滑菝葜 | Wikidata |
| ja | ドブクリョウ | Wikidata |
| vi | Thổ phục linh | Wikidata |
| az | Hamar mərəvcə | Wikidata |
| zh | 光滑菝葜 | Wikidata |
| fa | اسمیلاکس گلابرا | Wikidata |
| th | ข้าวเย็นใต้ | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 光滑菝葜 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to several distinct regions across China, showing a widespread presence throughout the country. Its distribution includes the diverse landscapes of China South-Central and the tropical environment of Hainan. Furthermore, it can be found growing in the areas of China North-Central and China Southeast. The species also extends its range into the high-altitude terrain of Tibet. Collectively, these locations highlight the broad geographical footprint of Smilax glabra across the Chinese mainland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Smilax glabra, is traditionally utilized in herbal medicine, with its therapeutic properties primarily derived from its underground structures. The medicinal components are found within the rhizomes, which are harvested and processed to extract their bioactive compounds. Whether referred to in botanical studies as the rhizome or more formally in pharmacopoeias as radix, these thickened stems serve as the essential part of the plant used for healing purposes.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| radix | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Smilax glabra has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 40 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include astilbin, flavonoids, isoastilbin, neoastilbin, neoisoastilbin.
- Total chemicals
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 40
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| astilbin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| isoastilbin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| neoastilbin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| neoisoastilbin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| engeletin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astilbin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Engeletin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Smilax glabra has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Smilax glabra has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Arthritis, Clonorchis sinensis, E. coli, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Clonorchis sinensis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Osteoarthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella enteritidis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperuricemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |