DOG GRAPE (zarzaparrillasmilax aspera)

	D
	DOG GRAPE
	*zarzaparrillasmilax aspera*

Name
DOG GRAPE

Scientific Name
zarzaparrillasmilax aspera

DOG GRAPE

Other Names:

Salsaparrilla, Grape of Dog, Morisca Bramble

Well-known by Dioscórides and Teofrasto, also they mention Lagoon and Mattioli. Nevertheless, its popularity reached the maximum levels when the Spaniards applied the name of zarzaparrilla to several American species of the Smilax sort (century XVII), like:

Mexican Zarzaparrilla or of Veracruz (Smilax aristolochiifolia Miller), that as its name indicates mainly gives in Veracruz and other places of Mexico.

Zarzaparrilla of Honduras (Smilax regelii Killip.-Morton), own of Central America and the Antilles.

Zarzaparrilla of Jamaica (Smilax of- ficinalis Kunth.), that occurs in Central America and the Antilles.

Zarzaparrilla of Lisbon, (spruceana Smilax To D.C.), also called of Marañón or Pará, own of Brazil.

Philippine Zarzaparrilla (Smilax leu- cophylla Blume), that is cultivated in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The composition and properties of all these species of the Smilax sort are very similar to zarzaparrilla rough and were used by the natives like depurativas, and as curativos powers were attributed to them on sífilis, they raised great expectations, that soon were demonstrated infundadas.

Habitat: dry forests of Centro and South America and the south of Europe.

Description: thorny subshrub of the family of the Liliáceas, that climbs to trees of up to 40 ms of height. Their leaves are great, bordered of thorns and with form of heart. The flowers are white, and the red or blackish fruits.

Used parts: rizoma and the root.

Properties and indications: it contains glucósidos saponínicos, it draws resin from, and oil essential, that to him diuréticas properties confer, sudoríficas, depurativas, aperitive and tonificantes. It favors the elimination of urea, úrico acid and other organic remainders, and diminishes the cholesterol level in the blood. It is used in the following cases:

Reumatismo, arthritism, drop.

Diseases of the kidneys: renales calculations, nefritis, renal insufficiency.

Febrile affections: tropical influenza, fevers, et cetera.

Heavy lack of appetite, digestions.

Dermatológicas affections: acne and eccemas.

In the treatment of sífilis it can be solely interesting but as complement from the specific treatment, by its purifying action.

Use: in infusion with 30-40 crushed grams of rizoma or root in a liter of water, by which they are consumed of 3 to 5 daily cups, before the meals.

Precautions: high doses produce nauseas and vomits. The consumption of the berries of zarzaparrilla is not recommended. Not to confuse its berries with those of the nueza or those of the ivy, that is very toxic.

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