Herbs & Botanicals · Ayurvedic cooling root

Sariva

Hemidesmus indicus · also called Indian sarsaparilla, anantmul, anantamul, sariva

Sariva is the root of an Indian climbing plant, used in Ayurveda as a cooling, 'blood purifying' herb for skin, fever and urinary complaints. Research in people is almost nonexistent; nearly all findings come from rats and lab dishes. It is not the same plant as Western sarsaparilla. The key caution is that its effects on blood sugar, kidneys and medicines are untested in people.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Sariva

Sariva is the root of Hemidesmus indicus, a traditional Ayurvedic cooling and 'blood purifying' herb. Evidence in people is essentially absent; safety is unstudied.

What it is

Sariva, also called Indian sarsaparilla or anantmul, is the root of Hemidesmus indicus, a climber in the Apocynaceae family. The root contains an aromatic aldehyde (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde), triterpenes such as lupeol and tannins.

^{17 19 20 3}

Not the same as Western sarsaparilla

Sarsaparilla sold in the West is usually Smilax, a different plant in a different family. Sariva is also a different plant from Cryptolepis. Check the Latin name on the label. Our page on true sarsaparilla covers Smilax.

^{17 22}

What it is used for

Traditionally for skin diseases, fever, urinary complaints, inflammation and as a 'blood purifier'. Nandy and colleagues' 2020 review lists many more uses, and no human trial in its abstract.

¹¹

What the research shows

We found no human trial of the root. The one human item is a Sri Lankan food test of a leaf porridge, which had a low glycaemic index. The rest is rats and dishes: a root compound lowered blood sugar, an extract improved liver markers after alcohol, extracts protected kidneys from two toxic drugs, and an isolated compound acted against MRSA. Each of these may or may not hold in people.

^{15 10 14 13 7}

At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Skin diseases and 'blood purifying'
Fever and cooling
Urinary complaints
Inflammation and joint pain

Studied for research

Blood sugar: rat compound and one leaf-porridge food test, very low
Liver protection: rats only
Kidney protection and urine output: rats only, studies disagree
Germ-killing and cancer-cell effects: laboratory only
Skin, blood purifying, fever: traditional only, no trial

Main compounds

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde
Lupeol
Beta-amyrin palmitate
Tannins

Common forms

Dried root powder
Root decoction
Syrup or cooling drink
Multi-herb Ayurvedic formulas
Lab extracts

Research links: PubMed: Indian Sarsaparilla review of ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacology (2020) · PubMed: Bioactive and therapeutic potential of the root (2013) · PubMed: Beta-amyrin palmitate lowers glucose in rats (2014) · PubMed: Green leafy porridges and glycaemic response (2013) · PubMed: Natriuretic and saluretic effects in rats (2011) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

The plant and its history

Accepted scientific name: Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br.
Naming authority: GBIF backbone: accepted species, exact match, confidence 97 (usageKey 8125676).
Common names: Sariva (Sanskrit/Hindi); Indian sarsaparilla (English); Anantmul (Hindi)
Botanical family: Apocynaceae (dogbane family). Older papers say Asclepiadaceae.
Classification: Plantae > Gentianales > Apocynaceae > Hemidesmus > Hemidesmus indicus
Native range: Not verified in a source read. The reviews describe use across the Indian subcontinent.
Habitat: Not verified.
What the plant looks like: Roots: The root (tuberous root) is the part used. Further description not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Leaves are eaten as porridge in Sri Lanka in one study.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: Not verified.
Cultivation: Not verified.
Harvest and processing: Root is dried and powdered or boiled as a decoction (traditional). Not verified in a source read.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Sarsaparilla (Smilax species); Note: Different plant, different family; sold as sarsaparilla in the West.; Name: Cryptolepis and other roots; Note: Different plants. Whether some are traded as sariva substitutes was not verified; a DNA-barcoding paper reports that substitutes exist.
Sustainability and conservation: Not verified.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Ayurveda and Indian traditional medicine	Root used for skin disease, fever, urinary disease, inflammation, as a 'blood purifier' and cooling herb. Also used in European medicine per the 2020 review.	p32007632

Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde PubChem 69600	aromatic aldehyde	Root	Acted against S. aureus and MRSA in dishes. ^{19 7}	Laboratory research
Lupeol PubChem 259846	triterpene	Root (per our summary)	Studied in the lab; a triterpene found in the root. ^{20 3}	Laboratory research
Beta-amyrin palmitate PubChem 13915599	triterpene ester	Root	Lowered glucose in rats. ^{18 10}	Animal research
Tannins	polyphenols	Root	Listed among constituents in our summary; no single PubChem record (a mixed class) and the figures were not read. ³	Unspecified

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Bacterial cell membrane	Not specified	The isolated aldehyde damaged S. aureus membranes and removed preformed biofilm in dishes. ⁷	Laboratory research
Mitochondrial pathway of cell death	Bax/Bcl-2 ratio	Root preparation reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in leukemia cells. ⁵	Laboratory research
Gut glucose entry	Not specified	The isolated compound appears to block glucose entry from the gut in rats. ¹⁰	Animal research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: No human data.
Distribution: Not established.
Metabolism: Not established.
Elimination: Not established.
Bioavailability: Unknown.

¹¹

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Most lab findings come from isolated compounds (the aldehyde, beta-amyrin palmitate) or solvent extracts. Traditional root powder and decoction have not been tested in the same way, so results do not carry over.

Nutritional composition

Not used as a food in the sources read, apart from leaf porridge in Sri Lanka and a sweet cooling drink in India (traditional).

9benefits and uses looked at

22studies and sources checked

Very low certaintybest evidence rating found

6lab markers tracked in trials

1 very low certainty8 not enough evidence

What is Sariva good for?

The main proposed uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. 'Insufficient' means there are no human studies. Ratings are this profile's own reading, not formal grades.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Skin conditions and the traditional 'blood purifier' idea

Not enough evidence

Sariva root is a classic Ayurvedic 'blood purifier' and is used for skin diseases, fever and inflammation. We found no human trial of it for any skin condition. The idea is traditional only.

2 studiesTraditional forms are root powder and decoction. Studies used lab ext…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

The 2020 and 2013 reviews list skin disease and blood purifying as traditional uses. Neither abstract describes a human trial. We found no controlled human study.

Results

No human results.

Effect sizes as reported

No effect sizes exist for people.

Why this rating

Traditional use only, with no controlled human data.

Form and dose studied

Traditional forms are root powder and decoction. Studies used lab extracts that differ from these.

Who was studied

None in people.

Limits

Cannot say whether it helps, harms or does nothing for skin disease. Skin disease needs proper diagnosis.

Why researchers looked

In Ayurveda the root is used for skin diseases, leprosy and psoriasis, and as a cooling, 'blood-cleansing' herb.

Traditional use

Used across India in traditional medicine, in decoctions, syrups and cooling drinks. 'Blood purifier' is a traditional term, not a measurable body process.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Reviews credit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity seen in lab and animal work. None of this has been shown to clear skin disease in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

See the Safety tab. Do not use it in place of treatment for a skin condition, blood disease or infection.

^{11 3}

Fever, 'cooling' and inflammation

Not enough evidence

Sariva is known as a cooling herb for fever and inflammation in Ayurveda. The reviews list fever and inflammation among its traditional uses and lab findings, but no human fever or inflammation trial was found.

2 studiesNot applicable.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial found. The 2013 review abstract lists antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity from 'in vivo and in vitro studies' only.

Results

No human results.

Effect sizes as reported

None for people.

Why this rating

No human data.

Form and dose studied

Not applicable.

Who was studied

None in people.

Limits

A fever that lasts needs a doctor.

Why researchers looked

Fever and heat-related complaints are among the oldest uses.

Traditional use

Drunk as a decoction or sweet cooling drink in India.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Reviews report anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity in animals and cells.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

See the Safety tab.

^{3 11}

Liver protection (animal studies)

Not enough evidence

In rats given alcohol for 60 days, a root extract moved liver damage markers back towards normal. This has not been tested in people. Reviews list liver protection as a main property, but all of it is from animals and cells.

3 studiesEthanol root extract in rats.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human study. Rat study: ethanol root extract, last 30 days of a 60-day ethanol feeding.

Results

Liver marker enzymes and fat oxidation were raised by ethanol; the extract brought antioxidant enzymes near normal and raised protein levels (rats).

Effect sizes as reported

No numbers are quoted here because only the abstract was read and it is truncated.

Why this rating

Rat evidence only. A separate toxicity study reported 'nonspecific changes in liver' (see Safety), so liver effects point both ways.

Form and dose studied

Ethanol root extract in rats.

Who was studied

Rats.

Limits

Rat results often do not carry over to people.

Why researchers looked

Ayurvedic 'blood purifier' use overlaps with liver complaints.

Traditional use

Not a documented traditional liver remedy in the sources we read; the link is mainly from lab studies.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The authors link the effect to less fat oxidation and better antioxidant enzyme levels in rat liver.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A different animal study found nonspecific liver changes. Do not use it to 'protect' the liver while drinking alcohol.

^{14 1 11}

Blood sugar

Very low certainty

A compound from the root lowered blood sugar in rats. In people, the only data is a food test: a porridge made with sariva leaf had a low glycaemic index. That does not show the herb treats diabetes. Do not replace diabetes care with it.

3 studiesIsolated compound and leaf porridge. Neither is the usual root powder…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One human food test (volunteers, Sri Lanka; health status not in the abstract): sariva leaf porridge had a glycaemic index of 40 +/- 8 (low) and peak blood glucose fell 25 percent or more compared with the glucose control, as with the other leafy porridges tested. The porridge also contains rice and coconut milk, and the abstract frames these as leafy porridges, so the plant part is likely leaf rather than root (not confirmed). No trial in people with diabetes was found.

Results

Rat compound: lowered glucose in normal, alloxan-diabetic and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Porridge: low glycaemic index.

Effect sizes as reported

Glycaemic index 40 +/- 8 for the leaf porridge; animal effect sizes not in the abstract.

Why this rating

One small food test on leaf (not root) and animal work on a single isolated compound.

Form and dose studied

Isolated compound and leaf porridge. Neither is the usual root powder or decoction.

Who was studied

Volunteers eating test meals (porridge); rats (compound).

Limits

Not a treatment trial. Root has not been tested for blood sugar in people.

Why researchers looked

Diabetes is on the traditional list of uses.

Traditional use

Listed among traditional uses in the 2020 review.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In rats the isolated compound beta-amyrin palmitate appeared to block glucose entering from the gut.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Could add to glucose-lowering medicines, in theory. Tell your diabetes team before using it.

^{10 15 11}

Kidneys and urinary complaints (animal studies)

Not enough evidence

Extracts protected rat kidneys from two kidney-toxic drugs, and one rat study found a diuretic (water-passing) effect while another found none. No human study exists. The urinary use is traditional.

4 studiesRoot powder, water and ethanol extracts in rats.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human study. Animal studies only (see results).

Results

Rats: gentamicin kidney injury improved with root powder; cisplatin kidney injury improved (serum urea 41.3 to 34.54 mg/dL, creatinine 1.1 to 0.76 mg/dL with H. indicus extract). Urine output rose in one rat study (higher dose of water or ethanol extract) but another study of water extract found no significant diuretic effect.

Effect sizes as reported

See results; rat numbers only.

Why this rating

Animal only, and the diuretic findings disagree.

Form and dose studied

Root powder, water and ethanol extracts in rats.

Who was studied

Rats and mice.

Limits

Rat findings do not tell us how it acts in people with kidney disease.

Why researchers looked

Urinary disease and burning urine are traditional uses.

Traditional use

Used traditionally in urinary complaints.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Reports of antioxidant protection in rat kidney tissue; possible effects on salt and water handling were mixed.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

If you have kidney disease or take a diuretic, lithium or a kidney-toxic drug, ask a clinician before using it. Do not assume it is protective.

^{8 13 6 4}

Germ-killing effects in the laboratory

Not enough evidence

In dishes, a compound from the root (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde) acted against Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA, and a root extract slowed herpes simplex viruses. This has not been tested in people with infections.

3 studiesIsolated compound and extract in dishes.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial.

Results

Lab: minimum inhibitory concentration 1024 ug/mL for the isolated compound; about 80 percent of preformed MRSA biofilm removed; made MRSA more sensitive to tetracycline in dishes.

Effect sizes as reported

Lab numbers only.

Why this rating

Lab studies on an isolated compound and a hydroalcoholic extract.

Form and dose studied

Isolated compound and extract in dishes.

Who was studied

Bacteria and viruses in cell cultures.

Limits

Concentrations that work in a dish may not be reachable in the body.

Why researchers looked

Skin infections, sexually transmitted infections and fever are traditional uses.

Traditional use

The root is used in traditional treatment of infections.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

The compound damaged bacterial cell membranes and removed most of a preformed MRSA biofilm in dishes; the extract blocked early steps of herpes virus infection in cells.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Do not use it to treat an infection; see a clinician.

^{7 2 3}

Cancer cells in the laboratory

Not enough evidence

A root preparation killed leukemia and colorectal cancer cells in culture and boosted three chemotherapy drugs in cells. This is cell-culture work only. It does not show that the herb treats cancer.

2 studiesRoot preparations in cell culture.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial.

Results

Lab: killed leukemia cell lines; enhanced methotrexate, 6-thioguanine and cytarabine in cells; induced immunogenic death markers in DLD1 colorectal cells.

Effect sizes as reported

Not quantified here.

Why this rating

Cell culture only.

Form and dose studied

Root preparations in cell culture.

Who was studied

Human cancer cell lines.

Limits

Cells in a dish are not people. No animal-to-human step shown.

Why researchers looked

Cancer is on the traditional list of uses.

Traditional use

Listed in the 2020 review among traditional uses.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

In leukemia cells the preparation reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and raised the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; in colorectal cells it triggered signs of immunogenic cell death.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

If you have cancer or take chemotherapy, tell your oncology team before using it, because it may change how drugs act.

^{5 16}

Antioxidant activity

Not enough evidence

The 2013 review calls antioxidant and antimicrobial effects the best documented, but this means test-tube and animal measures. It is not proof of any health benefit in people.

2 studiesExtracts.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial.

Results

None for people.

Effect sizes as reported

None.

Why this rating

Lab and animal measures only.

Form and dose studied

Extracts.

Who was studied

Not applicable.

Limits

Antioxidant tests do not predict health effects.

Why researchers looked

General 'cleansing' and cooling uses.

Traditional use

Not separate from the traditional uses above.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Phenolic and triterpene compounds neutralise free radicals in test tubes.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

^{3 11}

Gut water absorption and diarrhoea (rat)

Not enough evidence

In rat gut, the root's water extract increased absorption of water, sodium and potassium, which led the authors to suggest it for oral rehydration drinks. This is an idea, not a tested treatment. The ethanol extract did the opposite.

2 studiesWater extract of the root, not tested in people.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human trial.

Results

Rat gut sac: water extract raised water, sodium and potassium absorption; ethanol extract lowered them; no effect on gut motility in mice.

Effect sizes as reported

Not quantified here.

Why this rating

One rat paper.

Form and dose studied

Water extract of the root, not tested in people.

Who was studied

Rats and mice.

Limits

Results depend on the extract used.

Why researchers looked

Dysentery and diarrhoea appear among traditional uses.

Traditional use

Listed in the 2020 review.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The water extract appeared to increase absorption of water and salts across rat jejunum.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Do not use it in place of rehydration salts or care for diarrhoea.

^{4 11}

Connections to the rest of health

How Sariva connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Healthy Skin	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Skin conditions and the traditional 'blood purifier' idea: Sariva root is a classic Ayurvedic 'blood purifier' and is used for skin diseases, fever and inflammation. We found no human trial of it for any skin condition. The idea is traditional only.	^{11 3}
Detoxification Support	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Skin conditions and the traditional 'blood purifier' idea: Sariva root is a classic Ayurvedic 'blood purifier' and is used for skin diseases, fever and inflammation. We found no human trial of it for any skin condition. The idea is traditional only.	^{11 3}
Inflammation Balance	Traditional use	Not enough evidence	Fever, 'cooling' and inflammation: Sariva is known as a cooling herb for fever and inflammation in Ayurveda. The reviews list fever and inflammation among its traditional uses and lab findings, but no human fever or inflammation trial was found.	^{3 11}
Liver Support	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Liver protection (animal studies): In rats given alcohol for 60 days, a root extract moved liver damage markers back towards normal. This has not been tested in people. Reviews list liver protection as a main property, but all of it is from animals and cells.	^{14 1 11}
Blood Sugar Balance	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Blood sugar: A compound from the root lowered blood sugar in rats. In people, the only data is a food test: a porridge made with sariva leaf had a low glycaemic index. That does not show the herb treats diabetes. Do not replace diabetes care with it.	^{10 15 11}
Detoxification Support	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Kidneys and urinary complaints (animal studies): Extracts protected rat kidneys from two kidney-toxic drugs, and one rat study found a diuretic (water-passing) effect while another found none. No human study exists. The urinary use is traditional.	^{8 13 6 4}
Immune Support	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Germ-killing effects in the laboratory: In dishes, a compound from the root (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde) acted against Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA, and a root extract slowed herpes simplex viruses. This has not been tested in people with infections.	^{7 2 3}
Cellular Protection	Potential benefit	Not enough evidence	Cancer cells in the laboratory: A root preparation killed leukemia and colorectal cancer cells in culture and boosted three chemotherapy drugs in cells. This is cell-culture work only. It does not show that the herb treats cancer.	^{5 16}
Cellular Protection		Not enough evidence	Antioxidant activity: The 2013 review calls antioxidant and antimicrobial effects the best documented, but this means test-tube and animal measures. It is not proof of any health benefit in people.	^{3 11}
Digestive Support		Not enough evidence	Gut water absorption and diarrhoea (rat): In rat gut, the root's water extract increased absorption of water, sodium and potassium, which led the authors to suggest it for oral rehydration drinks. This is an idea, not a tested treatment. The ethanol extract did the opposite.	^{4 11}

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Integumentary System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Skin conditions and the traditional 'blood purifier' idea Studied for: Antioxidant activity	^{11 3}
Immune System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Fever, 'cooling' and inflammation Studied for: Germ-killing effects in the laboratory	^{3 11 7 2 5 16}
Hepatic System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Liver protection (animal studies)	^{14 1 11}
Endocrine System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Blood sugar	^{10 15 11}
Urinary System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Kidneys and urinary complaints (animal studies)	^{8 13 6 4}
Digestive System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Gut water absorption and diarrhoea (rat)	^{4 11}

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Blood glucose	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{10 15}
Kidney markers (urea, creatinine)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹³
Urine output (rats)	Biological association	Mixed findings	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{6 4}
Liver damage markers	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{14 1}
Bacterial growth (S. aureus MIC)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁷
Cancer cell survival	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁵

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptosis	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and mitochondrial depolarisation in leukemia cells.	⁵

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde	Biological association	In vitro	Acted against S. aureus and MRSA in dishes. Preparation or compound: Root	^{19 7}
Lupeol	Biological association	In vitro	Studied in the lab; a triterpene found in the root. Preparation or compound: Root (per our summary)	^{20 3}
Beta-amyrin palmitate	Biological association	Animal	Lowered glucose in rats. Preparation or compound: Root	^{18 10}
Tannins	Biological association	Unspecified	Listed among constituents in our summary; no single PubChem record (a mixed class) and the figures were not read. Preparation or compound: Root	³

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 6 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Metabolic1 Organ function1 Other31

The evidence

The research centre for Sariva. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing sariva summary, re-read PubMed abstracts for the main studies and added a handful of new ones on diuretic effect, gut action, a food test and product quality. We checked the GBIF accepted name and PubChem compounds. Certainty ratings are the compiler's reading. No study is cited that we could not verify.

Study library: every study we checked 22

Design Research type Plant part Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Result
Austin 2002 Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens R.Br. Anc Sci Life · PMID 22557084	Animal research animal	Crude aqueous ethanolic root extract, oral and intraperitoneal	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Bonvicini 2018 Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. extract inhibits the early step of herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 replication. New Microbiol · PMID 29874387	Laboratory research virus/cells	Hydroalcoholic root extract against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in cell culture	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Das 2013 The bioactive and therapeutic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) root. Phytother Res · PMID 22887725 · DOI	Narrative review n/a	Review	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Evans 2004 Enhancement in the absorption of water and electrolytes from rat intestine by Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root (water extract). Phytother Res · PMID 15305307 · DOI	Animal research rat/mouse	Rat jejunal sac; rats; mice	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Fimognari 2011 Mitochondrial pathway mediates the antileukemic effects of Hemidesmus indicus, a promising botanical drug. PLoS One · PMID 21738701 · DOI	Laboratory research human cells	Leukemia cell lines	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Gadge 2011 Natriuretic and saluretic effects of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root extracts in rats. Indian J Pharmacol · PMID 22144781 · DOI	Animal research rat	Dehydrated rats, single dose	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kannappan 2023 Antibacterial activity of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and its possible mechanism against Staphylococcus aureus. J Appl Microbiol · PMID 37422440 · DOI	Laboratory research bacteria	S. aureus including MRSA in dishes	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kotnis 2004 Renoprotective effect of Hemidesmus indicus, a herbal drug used in gentamicin-induced renal toxicity. Nephrology (Carlton) · PMID 15189175 · DOI	Animal research rat/mouse	Mice (toxicity) and rats (gentamicin kidney injury)	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kulhari 2013 Investigation of heavy metals in frequently utilized medicinal plants collected from environmentally diverse locations of north western India. Springerplus · PMID 24386622 · DOI	Laboratory survey n/a	Stem and leaf samples of ten medicinal plants including H. indicus, Haryana and Rajasthan	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Nair 2014 Promising anti-diabetes mellitus activity in rats of beta-amyrin palmitate isolated from Hemidesmus indicus roots. Eur J Pharmacol · PMID 24726843 · DOI	Animal research rat	Normal rats and alloxan- or streptozotocin-diabetic rats	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Nandy 2020 Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 32007632 · DOI	Narrative review n/a	Review of the literature up to 2019	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Rai 2012 DNA barcoding of authentic and substitute samples of herb of the family Asparagaceae and Asclepiadaceae based on the ITS2 region. J Ayurveda Integr Med · PMID 23125510 · DOI	Laboratory method n/a	Dry root samples, authentic and substitute	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sandeep 2010 Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by extracts of Hemidesmus indicus and Acorus calamus. Pharm Biol · PMID 20645815 · DOI	Animal research rat	Rats given cisplatin	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Saravanan 2008 Hemidesmus indicus protects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity. Cell Mol Biol Lett · PMID 17952378 · DOI	Animal research rat	Rats given ethanol for 60 days	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Senadheera SPAS 2013 Green leafy porridges: how good are they in controlling glycaemic response? Int J Food Sci Nutr · PMID 22849311 · DOI	Controlled trial	Volunteers eating test meals (number and health status not in the abstract)	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Turrini 2018 Hemidesmus indicus induces immunogenic death in human colorectal cancer cells. Oncotarget · PMID 29849952 · DOI	Laboratory research human cells	DLD1 colorectal cancer cell line, monocytes and dendritic cells	Methods, limits and funding Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
s-gbif-hemidesmus GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. (usageKey 8125676) · Source	Database record n/a		Methods, limits and funding Read: full-record
s-pubchem-amyrin-palmitate PubChem: Beta-Amyrin Palmitate (CID 13915599, C46H80O2) · Source	Database record n/a		Methods, limits and funding Read: full-record
s-pubchem-hmb PubChem: 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (CID 69600, C8H8O3) · Source	Database record n/a		Methods, limits and funding Read: full-record
s-pubchem-lupeol PubChem: Lupeol (CID 259846, C30H50O) · Source	Database record n/a		Methods, limits and funding Read: full-record
s-regulators-none Regulator search: EMA/HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed for Hemidesmus indicus · Source	Search record n/a		Methods, limits and funding Read: searched-not-found
s-site-sarsaparilla alternativemed.com: Sarsaparilla (Smilax) page · Source	Site page n/a		Methods, limits and funding Read: status-checked

What we do not know yet

No human trial of the root for any use.
No human safety, pregnancy, breastfeeding or interaction data.
Rat studies disagree on diuretic effect and have not been repeated.
No EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed entry found; WHO monograph not read.
Quality and standardisation of commercial products unknown.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed into the data files, then this page is rebuilt.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Metabolic 1

▼

Blood glucose

Lowered in trials

Sugar in the blood.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Tracks diabetes control.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A test-meal and animal finding; not a treatment result.

Safety implication

Could add to diabetes medicines (theory).

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	Lowered in normal and diabetic rats by an isolated compound (no numbers in the abstract)	Rats	Beta-amyrin palmitate from the root
¹⁵	Peak glucose reduced by 25 percent or more versus glucose control after a leaf porridge; glycaemic index 40 +/- 8	Volunteers eating test meals	H. indicus leaf porridge with rice and coconut milk

^{10 15}

Organ function 1

▼

Liver damage markers

Lowered in trials

Blood or tissue markers of liver damage.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to detect liver injury.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Rat finding only; another animal toxicity paper reported nonspecific liver changes.

Safety implication

See Safety tab.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	Ethanol raised liver marker enzymes; the extract brought related measures towards normal (abstract truncated, no numbers read)	Rats fed ethanol	Ethanol root extract

^{14 1}

Other 4

▼

Kidney markers (urea, creatinine)

Lowered in trials

Waste products the kidneys clear.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Rise when kidneys are injured.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Rat finding only.

Safety implication

None known in people.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹³	Urea 41.3 to 34.54 mg/dL; creatinine 1.1 to 0.76 mg/dL after cisplatin plus extract	Rats given cisplatin	H. indicus extract

¹³

▲

Urine output (rats)

Raised in trials

How much urine is made.

Mixed findings

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A sign of a diuretic effect.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Two rat studies disagree.

Safety implication

Might matter with water pills or lithium (theory).

Study	Result	People	Product
⁶	Raised at the higher dose of water and ethanol extracts, lasting up to 24 hours	Dehydrated rats	Root extracts
⁴	No significant diuretic effect with the water extract	Rats	Root water extract

^{6 4}

▼

Bacterial growth (S. aureus MIC)

Lowered in trials

The lowest concentration that stops growth in a dish.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Lab measure of antibacterial strength.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A high MIC suggests modest potency; lab only.

Safety implication

None known.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁷	MIC 1024 ug/mL; about 80 percent of preformed MRSA biofilm removed	S. aureus and MRSA in dishes	Isolated 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde

⁷

▼

Cancer cell survival

Lowered in trials

How many cells stay alive after treatment.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Lab measure of killing cells.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cell culture only.

Safety implication

May alter how chemotherapy works (cells only).

Study	Result	People	Product
⁵	Cell death with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and higher Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; enhanced three chemotherapy drugs	Leukemia cell lines	Root preparation

⁵

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 6

There is almost no human safety information. We found no human safety trial, no case report of harm, no interaction study and no regulator document for sariva (Hemidesmus indicus). That is an absence of data, not proof it is safe. Use with caution and tell your doctor or pharmacist. Absence of evidence ^{21 11}
Animal studies point to possible liver changes. One rat extract study reported 'nonspecific changes in liver'. Another rat study found a liver-protective effect. Neither tells us about people. If you have liver disease, ask a clinician first. Animal research ^{1 14}
Diabetes medicines. A root compound lowered blood sugar in rats, and a leaf porridge had a low glycaemic index in a food test. In theory sariva could add to the effect of diabetes medicines and cause low blood sugar. Not shown in people. Pharmacological theory ^{10 15}
Water pills, kidney disease and lithium. Rat studies disagree on whether root extracts act as a diuretic. If it does change salt and water handling, it could in theory matter with water pills, with kidney disease and with lithium, whose blood levels depend on salt and water balance. No human data exist. Pharmacological theory ^{6 4}
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid unless a clinician agrees. No pregnancy or breastfeeding data were found. Menorrhagia (heavy periods) appears among its traditional uses, which does not show safety. Avoid unless a clinician agrees. Absence of evidence ^{11 21}
Do not confuse it with Western sarsaparilla (Smilax). Sariva (Indian sarsaparilla) is Hemidesmus indicus, a plant in the Apocynaceae family. 'Sarsaparilla' sold in the West is usually Smilax, a different plant. Check the Latin name on the label. Database record ^{17 22}

Side effects 3

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
No human adverse effects recorded in the sources read The 2020 review abstract covers toxicology but gives no human adverse-event data.	Not established	unknown unknown	Absence of evidence ^{21 11}
Nonspecific liver changes in animals The abstract gives no species, dose or detail.	Not established	unknown unknown	Animal research ¹
Low acute toxicity in mice Root powder was called relatively safe in mice up to 7 g per kg body weight. This cannot be turned into a safe human amount.	Not established	none seen at tested levels not applicable	Animal research ⁸

Liver

No LiverTox entry was found (an NCBI Books search returned no match). There is no human liver case report in the sources read. In animals, one extract study reported nonspecific liver changes and another reported protection against ethanol injury. Human liver safety is unknown. ^{1 14 21}

How often. No frequency is available.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found. Stop and seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools or severe tiredness.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Sariva supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 5

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Diabetes medicines (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas and others) prescription	A root compound lowered glucose in rats and appeared to block gut glucose entry; a leaf porridge had a low glycaemic index.	Unknown in people; the concern is low blood sugar.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ^{10 15}	Tell your diabetes team before using it and check blood sugar as advised.
Diuretics ('water pills'), lithium and other kidney-cleared medicines prescription	One rat study found more urine and urinary sodium and potassium; another found no diuretic effect.	Unknown. Lithium blood levels depend on salt and water balance, so any herb that shifts it is a theoretical concern.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ^{6 4}	Ask a pharmacist, especially if you take lithium.
Blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban) and antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel) prescription	No data on platelet or clotting effects of sariva were found.	Unknown. Absence of data does not mean no interaction.	Absence of evidence Not enough evidence ²¹	Tell the clinician who manages your blood thinner.
Chemotherapy and kidney-toxic drugs (cisplatin, gentamicin) prescription	In cells the root preparation enhanced three chemotherapy drugs; in rats extracts reduced cisplatin and gentamicin kidney injury.	Unknown in people. It might change drug effect or toxicity.	Laboratory research Not enough evidence ^{5 8 13}	Do not combine with cancer treatment unless your oncology team agrees.
Other herbs and Ayurvedic formulas herb	Sariva is an ingredient in several multi-herb formulas, so combined effects and side effects cannot be credited to it alone.	Unknown.	Clinical judgement Not enough evidence ¹¹	Show product labels to your pharmacist.

Who should check first 4

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy and breastfeeding	Avoid unless a clinician agrees. No data were found.	Absence of evidence ²¹
Children	No data. Ask a paediatrician.	Absence of evidence ²¹
Liver disease, kidney disease	Ask a clinician first; human safety unknown and animal liver signals are mixed.	Animal research ^{1 14}
Diabetes treated with medicine, or lithium treatment	Talk to your prescriber first.	Pharmacological theory ^{10 6}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. Only animal data exist. Mice tolerated root powder up to 7 g per kg body weight in one study, and a separate extract study reported nonspecific liver changes.

Animal. Mice: 'relatively safe up to 7 g/kg' (root powder). Another study of an aqueous-ethanolic extract gave oral and injected doses and reported nonspecific changes in liver; details are not in the abstract.

Human doses studied. No human dose studies of the root were found.

High dose or long term signals. Not studied in people.

Overdose response. Not described.

Genotoxicity. Not found in sources read.

Toxic plant parts. Root is the part used. Toxicity of stem, leaf or latex was not found; leaves are eaten as porridge in Sri Lanka in one study, which does not show safety.

Ayurvedic herbs are often misidentified or substituted, and a DNA-barcoding paper found H. indicus can be told from substitute samples. A survey of stems and leaves of ten Indian plants including H. indicus found chromium above the WHO limit in some industrial-area samples, naming two other plants. Quality of commercial sariva was not tested.

Substitution. Ayurvedic herbal drugs are often misidentified or adulterated; DNA barcoding can separate H. indicus from substitute samples (substitute plants not named in the abstract). ¹²

Heavy metals. Heavy metals (Mn, Cr, Pb, Fe, Cd, Co, Zn, Ni, Hg) were measured in stem and leaf of ten plants including H. indicus; all but chromium were within limits, and over-limit chromium was named only for Bacopa and Withania. ⁹

Name confusion. Hemidesmus indicus (Apocynaceae) is a different plant from Smilax sarsaparilla and from Cryptolepis. Whether Cryptolepis or other roots are sold under the name sariva was not verified. ^{17 22}

Body	Action	Date

When to get medical help

Yellow skin or eyes, very dark urine, pale stools or severe tiredness (possible liver trouble).
Signs of low blood sugar if you take diabetes medicine: shaking, sweating, confusion.
Rash, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing (allergic reaction).
Much less urine, or swelling in the legs.

Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is sariva?

Sariva is the root of Hemidesmus indicus, an Indian climbing plant also called Indian sarsaparilla or anantmul. It is used in Ayurveda as a cooling, 'blood purifying' herb.

^{11 17}

Does sariva purify the blood?

That is a traditional idea, not a measured effect. We found no human study showing it cleans the blood or helps skin disease.

^{11 3}

Is there any human research?

Almost none. The only human item we found is a food test in which a leaf porridge had a low glycaemic index. Everything else is from animals or dishes.

^{15 3}

Does it lower blood sugar?

A compound from the root lowered blood sugar in rats. In people only a leaf-porridge food test exists. It is not shown to treat diabetes and could add to diabetes medicines.

^{10 15}

Does it protect the liver?

In rats given alcohol, a root extract improved liver markers. A separate animal study reported nonspecific liver changes. There is no human evidence either way.

^{14 1}

Is it a diuretic, and is it safe for the kidneys?

One rat study found more urine after root extracts, and another found no diuretic effect. Extracts protected rat kidneys from two toxic drugs. Nothing is known in people. If you have kidney disease or take a water pill or lithium, ask a clinician.

^{6 4 8 13}

Is it the same as sarsaparilla?

No. Sarsaparilla sold in the West is usually Smilax, a different plant. Sariva is Hemidesmus indicus. It is also a different plant from Cryptolepis. Check the Latin name on the label.

^{17 22}

Is it safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

No safety data were found. Avoid it unless a clinician agrees.

²¹

Can it interact with medicines?

No interaction studies exist. In theory it could add to diabetes medicines, affect water pills or lithium, or change how chemotherapy acts. We found no data on blood thinners. Tell your pharmacist.

^{10 6 5 21}

Does it kill bacteria or cancer?

In dishes, an isolated root compound acted against MRSA and root preparations killed leukemia cells. Those lab results do not show it treats infection or cancer in people.

^{7 5}

Are there quality problems with products?

Ayurvedic herbs can be misidentified or substituted, and a DNA study shows substitutes exist. We did not find a quality test of commercial sariva. Look for the Latin name and third-party testing.

^{12 9}

How much should I take?

This page does not give amounts, because the evidence is too weak to set them. Ask a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take medicines or have liver or kidney disease.

Explore by health goal

Detoxification Support Cellular Protection Healthy Skin Inflammation Balance Liver Support Blood Sugar Balance Immune Support Digestive Support

Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records and plant and chemical databases.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We started from our existing sariva summary, re-read PubMed abstracts for the main studies and added a handful of new ones on diuretic effect, gut action, a food test and product quality. We checked the GBIF accepted name and PubChem compounds. Certainty ratings are the compiler's reading. No study is cited that we could not verify.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.

Sources 22

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Austin A, Jegadeesan M. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens R.Br.. Anc Sci Life. 2002. PMID 22557084. (abstract)
Bonvicini F, Lianza M, Mandrone M, et al.. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. extract inhibits the early step of herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 replication.. New Microbiol. 2018. PMID 29874387. (abstract)
Das S, Bisht SS. The bioactive and therapeutic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) root.. Phytother Res. 2013. PMID 22887725. DOI 10.1002/ptr.4788. (abstract)
Evans DA, Rajasekharan S, Subramoniam A. Enhancement in the absorption of water and electrolytes from rat intestine by Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root (water extract).. Phytother Res. 2004. PMID 15305307. DOI 10.1002/ptr.1402. (abstract)
Fimognari C, Lenzi M, Ferruzzi L, et al.. Mitochondrial pathway mediates the antileukemic effects of Hemidesmus indicus, a promising botanical drug.. PLoS One. 2011. PMID 21738701. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0021544. (abstract)
Gadge NB, Jalalpure SS. Natriuretic and saluretic effects of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root extracts in rats.. Indian J Pharmacol. 2011. PMID 22144781. DOI 10.4103/0253-7613.89833. (abstract)
Kannappan A, Jothi R, Tian X, et al.. Antibacterial activity of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and its possible mechanism against Staphylococcus aureus.. J Appl Microbiol. 2023. PMID 37422440. DOI 10.1093/jambio/lxad144. (abstract)
Kotnis MS, Patel P, Menon SN, et al.. Renoprotective effect of Hemidesmus indicus, a herbal drug used in gentamicin-induced renal toxicity.. Nephrology (Carlton). 2004. PMID 15189175. DOI 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2004.00247.x. (abstract)
Kulhari A, Sheorayan A, Bajar S, et al.. Investigation of heavy metals in frequently utilized medicinal plants collected from environmentally diverse locations of north western India.. Springerplus. 2013. PMID 24386622. DOI 10.1186/2193-1801-2-676. (abstract)
Nair SA, Sabulal B, Radhika J, et al.. Promising anti-diabetes mellitus activity in rats of beta-amyrin palmitate isolated from Hemidesmus indicus roots.. Eur J Pharmacol. 2014. PMID 24726843. DOI 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.03.050. (abstract)
Nandy S, Mukherjee A, Pandey DK, et al.. Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020. PMID 32007632. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112609. (abstract)
Rai PS, Bellampalli R, Dobriyal RM, et al.. DNA barcoding of authentic and substitute samples of herb of the family Asparagaceae and Asclepiadaceae based on the ITS2 region.. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012. PMID 23125510. DOI 10.4103/0975-9476.100177. (abstract)
Sandeep D, Krishnan Nair CK. Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by extracts of Hemidesmus indicus and Acorus calamus.. Pharm Biol. 2010. PMID 20645815. DOI 10.3109/13880200903116048. (abstract)
Saravanan N, Nalini N. Hemidesmus indicus protects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity.. Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2008. PMID 17952378. DOI 10.2478/s11658-007-0032-z. (abstract)
Senadheera SPAS, Ekanayake S. Green leafy porridges: how good are they in controlling glycaemic response?. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013. PMID 22849311. DOI 10.3109/09637486.2012.710895. (abstract)
Turrini E, Catanzaro E, Muraro MG, et al.. Hemidesmus indicus induces immunogenic death in human colorectal cancer cells.. Oncotarget. 2018. PMID 29849952. DOI 10.18632/oncotarget.25325. (abstract)
. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. (usageKey 8125676). . . (full-record)
. PubChem: Beta-Amyrin Palmitate (CID 13915599, C46H80O2). . . (full-record)
. PubChem: 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (CID 69600, C8H8O3). . . (full-record)
. PubChem: Lupeol (CID 259846, C30H50O). . . (full-record)
. Regulator search: EMA/HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed for Hemidesmus indicus. . . (searched-not-found)
. alternativemed.com: Sarsaparilla (Smilax) page. . . (status-checked)

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.