Tonic Herb of the Month

WILD SARSAPARILLA

(Aralia nudicaulis)

A native woodland species found throughout Appalachia, this plant is not related to the tropical Sarsaparilla most people are familiar with, but it has many overlapping uses.


Description: The Aralia genus also contains Spikenard (Aralia racemosa), another Appalachian plant, and wild sarsaparilla is sometimes referred to as “little spikenard.” They are in the same family as ginseng, and like ginseng, the Aralias are normalizing to the metabolism and strengthening to the adrenals. Jamaican Sarsaparilla (Smilax regeii) is an entirely different plant that grows as a thorny vine in the Caribbean and Central America. Jamaican sarsaparilla and the smilax genus made its way into the European materia medica as a treatment for syphyllis and quickly became known for its blood-cleansing properties. To add to the confusion between these species, we do have another native woodland plant that grows around here called Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), that is related to this tropical sarsaparilla vine. Greenbrier is also used as a more direct substitute for true sarsaparilla. In this materia medica, we’ll be talking about the wild sarsaparilla of Appalachia (Aralia nudicaulis).

Actions: pectoral, diuretic, diaphoretic, alterative, adaptogen, vulnerary, stimulant

Parts Used: Root

Energetics: Cooling, Sweet, Dispersive

Uses: As an alterative, wild sarsaparilla has similar properties to “true sarsaparilla” (Smilax regeii) and both have been used to treat rheumatism, syphilis, inflammations of the skin, hormonal dysregulation, and diseases of the blood. Alteratives are often thought of as “blood-cleansers”, but this is a very vague way of understanding their action. As blood medicine, wild sarsaparilla is particularly suited for conditions where circulation is impeded, resulting in the accumulation of wastes. A syrup from the root can be useful for an irritating, mucus-producing cough or tuberculosis. Externally, fomentations of the root are useful for ringworm. As an adaptogen, wild sarsaparilla is balancing to states of sympathetic excess, when the fight-or-flight response is in constant alert.

Indications: hormonal excess, acne, sluggish cellular metabolism, gout, syphilis, blood infections/toxicity, rheumatism & inflammatory joint conditions, boggy lungs with irritation & excess mucus, skin eruptions, ringworm.

Preparations: Decoction, tincture, syrup, fomentation

Cautions: no side effects or drug interactions found.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 4th ~ Freshly Foraged Herbal Pestos, Dips & Vinegars

As part of Bailey’s Food as Medicine Series, this class will focus on how to enhance the flavor and vitality of your meals by adding freshly foraged herbs in a variety of delicious & nutrient dense ways.

3 pm- 5 pm

Register Here 

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Herbal Beauty Workshop Series

Hey beauties! Let’s make some herbal beauty products for your face, body and hair.

4:00 -5:15 pm on the following Saturdays:

May 3rd: beetroot eyeshadow & a matcha face mask

May 10th: rose blush & a cinnamon lip-plumping scrub

June 7th: rollerball lip oils & a turmeric face-brightening mask/spot treatment

June 14th: marshmallow root hair detangler & castor oil brow/lash serum

Register Here

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Community Medicine Making Circles

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with Jen Halima

Come create botanical medicine and explore the foundations of herbalism. Build a home apothecary from locally grown herbs. You will make herbal oils, syrups, tea blends, tonics, nourishing treats and more! And you’ll get to take something home that we make together.

6 Classes, Starting April 26th

Register Here

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SAVE THE DATE

Tonic’s 9 Year Anniversary

May 18th

We’ll be offering 20% off all retail products + our friend Cree will be offering an AstroHerbalism workshop. Come for a complimentary cup of tea and learn about the astrological influences of herbs!

Register for the AstroHerbalism Class Here

Hope to see you there!

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MOTHER’S DAY TEA CEREMONY

with Silvy Franco

Join Silvy for a meditative ceremony to commune with Camelia sinensis. Ceremony begins at 10:00 am and goes for an hour. Pre-registration is required. Suggested Donation: $20

Register Here