Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

The roots are the parts of the plants which are used. Sarsaparilla is official and occurs in the pharmacopoeias of Britain and India. It was formerly imported from Central America via Jamaica. Sarsaparilla is very commonly used with china root and other plants (see Desmodium supinum to make a tonic. It may also be used alone for the same purpose and for general pain.

Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts I & II. – p. 16.