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Dietary supplement

Sarsaparilla Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herb Pharm

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Sarsaparilla is a dietary supplement by Herb Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin conditions like psoriasis, joint pain and arthritis, general tonic or 'blood purifier'.Based on those ingredients, 2 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Sarsaparilla Root Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: sarsaparilla root extract. Sarsaparilla is a plant traditionally used in herbal medicine.

The liquid formulation also includes cane alcohol and distilled water as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Cleanse and detoxify.
  • We looked for evidence on: blood purification, toxin elimination.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for sarsaparilla's usefulness is currently insufficient. We hold no established ratings for cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis — the conditions it's traditionally marketed for — so we can't say whether it works for these purposes based on the data available to us.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sarsaparilla

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Sarsaparilla is thought to be low-risk in food amounts, but human safety data for supplement doses are limited. Occupational exposure to sarsaparilla root dust can trigger rhinitis and asthma-like symptoms, though this typically applies to people handling the raw material.

The safety information for pregnancy and breastfeeding is insufficient, so it's best avoided during pregnancy and lactation unless you've discussed it with your own doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sarsaparilla

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Sarsaparilla.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 2 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check before starting if you take lithium — sarsaparilla may raise its levels. Also flag digoxin (Lanoxin) or any other heart medications, as the product's diuretic effect could increase heart-toxicity risk.

Let your own doctor or pharmacist review your full medication list.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Sarsaparilla Liquid is traditionally used for various conditions, but evidence for its effectiveness isn't established in our data. If you take lithium or digoxin, this product isn't a good fit without your doctor's sign-off.

Talk it over with your own pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any regular medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 24, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Sarsaparilla, straight from the product label.

Brand Herb Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 090800000195
Net contents 1 Fluid Ounce(s); 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 24, 2024
DSLD ID 307677
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Servings per container
42
UPC/BARCODE
090800000195
IngredientAmount% DV
Sarsaparilla Root Extract660 mg--

Other ingredients: Cane Alcohol, Water, Distilled

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use Shake well before using Adults: Add 1 squeeze of the dropper bulb to 2 oz. of water or juice, 2 to 4 times per day. Best taken between meals.

Precautions

Keep out of the reach of children

Storage

Store away from heat & light

Formula

Smilax ornata &/or aristolochiifolia

Sarsaparilla liquid extract

We prepare our Sarsaparilla extract from the root of Smilax ornata &/or aristolochiifolia vines which are responsibly wildcrafted in their natural habitat.

Formulation

Cleanse & detoxify

Gluten-free

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container42 Amounts shown are per serving.

Sarsaparilla Root Extract

Interacts with
2 drugs
660 mg per serving Form: Smilax aristolochiifolia Root Extract, Smilax ornata Root Extract

Sarsaparilla is a traditional root used in teas, tonics, and old-fashioned root beer flavoring. Modern evidence for its health claims is very limited...

Sarsaparilla Root Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cane Alcohol, Water, Distilled. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Sarsaparilla?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2Drugs
2 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Sarsaparilla with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Sarsaparilla Root Extract2 drug types · 2 drugs

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of sarsaparilla with digoxin might increase the risk of cardiac toxicity.
Sarsaparilla is thought to have diuretic properties, which could potentially cause potassium loss. Overuse or misuse of sarsaparilla with cardiac glycoside therapy might increase the risk of cardiac toxicity due to potassium loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, sarsaparilla might increase the effects and adverse effects of lithium.
Sarsaparilla is thought to have diuretic properties. Due to these effects, sarsaparilla might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Sarsaparilla, from the product label.

Herb Pharm

See all Herb Pharm products
Name
Herb Pharm
City
Williams
State
OR
ZipCode
97544
Phone Number
800-348-4372
Web Address
www.herb-pharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm: Common Questions

Does Sarsaparilla by Herb Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Sarsaparilla has a known interaction with 2 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Sarsaparilla contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take sarsaparilla if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to recommend it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best avoided. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in these situations.
Does sarsaparilla actually work for skin problems or arthritis?
The evidence is insufficient right now — we don't have reliable data showing it works for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancer. It's traditionally used for these, but that doesn't mean the science backs it up.
What are the side effects?
Human safety data for supplement doses are limited. The main risk we know about is exposure to sarsaparilla dust, which can cause rhinitis and asthma symptoms — though that's mainly an occupational concern for people handling the raw root.
Is this product just sarsaparilla, or does it have other ingredients?
It's one active ingredient — sarsaparilla root extract — mixed with cane alcohol and distilled water as the liquid base.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Sarsaparilla label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Sarsaparilla's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 3 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Sarsaparilla 3 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  3. Vandenplas O, Depelchin S, Toussaint G, et al. Occupational asthma caused by sarsaparilla root dust. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996;97:1416-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Sarsaparilla monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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