Sarsaparilla
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| Sarsaparilla | ||||||||||||||
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| Smilax regelii Killip & C.V.Morton |
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Smilax ornata Hook.f. |
Sarsaparilla (IPA: /ˌsæspəˈɹɪlə/ or /ˌsɑːspəˈɹɪlə/ ) Honduran Sarsaparilla, or Jamaican Sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii) is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Central America.[1] Its name (which is zarzaparrilla in Spanish) comes from the Spanish words zarza for "shrub" and parrilla for "little grape vine."[2]
Sweet Sarsparilla (Smilax glyciphylla) is a vine native to East Australia.[3]. It is sometimes confused with Native Sarsparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), an unrelated vine. [4]
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[edit] Usage
The primary uses of sarsaparilla include the flavoring of beverages such as root beer, and in folk medicine. As a medicinal product, sarsaparilla is supposedly a "blood purifier", aid to detox, and a general "pep agent" that is traditionally used in cordials and tonics to invigorate and cleanse the body, although there is no evidence to support its uses. Nevertheless, in many countries Sarsaparilla cordials or extracts can sometimes be purchased from health food stores. Research articles listed at the National Library of Medicine indicate Sarsaparilla is an immunomodulator via cytokine expression, and is useful in some dermatitis via its anti inflammatory properties, has estrogenic effects useful in treating menopause, has antiviral glycoproteins, is neuroprotective by inhibiting amyloid beta protein formation, and has an anti-proliferative effect on the human hepatoma cell lines.
Sarsaparilla is not readily available in most countries, although many pubs and most major supermarket chains in Australia, including Woolworths and Coles, stock sarsaparilla flavored soft drinks. It is marketed as a refreshing drink, much like Coca-Cola is.[citation needed] Heysong Sasparilla soda in Taiwan is also ubiquitous in convenience stores such as 7-11, vending machines, and other outlets. In the Philippines, sarsaparilla was commonly known as root beer under the brand, SARSI.
[edit] In popular culture
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (December 2008) |
- It is the favorite drink of Stuart Little and Calamity Jane in the 1963 musical of the same name.
- In The Smurfs comic strip, the Smurfs' preferred food is sarsaparilla leaves.
- In the animated series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, a special recipe sarsaparilla is the most popular beverage served at the Tumble Weed Saloon.
- In the motion picture The Big Lebowski, the sarsaparilla soda is the Stranger's drink of choice.
- In Meet the Robinsons, the old man uses it as an exclamation upon receiving his teeth.
- The installment of School House Rock that deals with pronouns has a character named Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla.
- In The Simpsons, during an outing, Abe Simpson declares that sarsaparilla angries up the blood.
- In Mcfly's Song Don't Wake Me Up. "My Sky Has Turned Vanilla, Like Sugar Sarsaparilla."
- In Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV series), episode 94 Wild Wild Witch, rule 143 in the town is "No sarsaparilla, ever."
- In 1970's British sitcom Robin's Nest, series 2, episode 2, Hot Sarsaparilla is advertised on the side of Fred's Tea Van.
- In the 1999 Touched by an angel episode "Beautiful Dreamer", the angel "Andrew" orders a sarsaparilla in a bar, set in the 1800's.
- In Camp Lo's Song "Black Nostaljack AKA Come On". "Now here we are star apport a sarsaparilla"
- In the Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place", in episode 16 "Alex In The Middle", Alex says to Uncle Kelbo, "Partner, I fancy me a sarsaparilla, whatever that is. I hope its root beer!"
- In Back to the Future Part III, Doc Brown asks a barman for "something a little stronger than usual" and the bartender offers him a sarsaparilla.
- The titular character of the 1937 film Stella Dallas starring Barbara Stanwyck had a distinct fondness for sarsaparilla, often offering it to her guests.
- In NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo's drink of choice while on the clock
- To the best of Captain Parmenter's knowledge, it is the hardest beverage served at the saloon outside Fort Courage on F Troop
[edit] See also
- Aralia nudicaulis, false sarsaparilla
1953 story by Ray Bradbury, "A Scent of Sarsaparilla".
