Sarsaparilla is a drink that is supposed to contain a plant grown in tropical climates named Smilax ornate. For centuries, indigenous people around the world used the root of the sarsaparilla plant to treat joint problems and skin problems. It became a popular treatment for syphilis in Europe and America. American versions of sarsaparilla may use another plant, sassafras, instead.
A testimonial from a satisfied customer claimed “I had scrofulous sores that ran all the time. I took six bottles of Hood’s Sarsaparilla, and they are gone.” Mrs. Louisa Corson (75 years old) Bridgton Maine.
Image courtesy of New York Academy of Medicine
To learn more about the history of medicine and quack cures, see Discovering Quacks, Utopias, and Cemeteries