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Dietary supplement

Smilax Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals

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

Smilax is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals 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 Smilax by Source Naturals

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.

Smilax is a single-ingredient supplement: sarsaparilla root extract, traditionally used in herbal medicine. The liquid comes in a base of purified water and grain alcohol 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: athletic performance support.
  • We looked for evidence on: exercise performance, endurance, stamina.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for sarsaparilla isn't established in our data. We hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis — the three conditions linked to this ingredient in our monograph.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the studies we have aren't strong enough yet to say.

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 at food levels is generally well tolerated, but safety data for supplement doses in humans are limited. Occupational exposure to sarsaparilla root dust can trigger rhinitis and asthma symptoms in sensitive people — that's not a concern for taking the supplement itself, but it's worth knowing.

There isn't enough safety information to know whether sarsaparilla is safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or nursing.

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 with your pharmacist if you take lithium or digoxin before starting this product. Both can be affected by sarsaparilla's diuretic properties, and both interactions carry Moderate severity — meaning your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitoring.

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.

Smilax may appeal to you if you're exploring traditional herbal remedies, but the evidence for it isn't solid yet. If you take lithium or digoxin, you need to check with your pharmacist first — this product could affect how those medications work.

Either way, run it by us before you start.

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 Dec 22, 2017.

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 Smilax, straight from the product label.

Brand Source Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 021078007180
Net contents 1 fl. Oz.; 29.57 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 22, 2017
DSLD ID 81383
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Smilax by Source Naturals, 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:
1.2 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1.2 mL
Servings per container
24
UPC/BARCODE
021078007180
IngredientAmount% DV
Sarsaparilla root extract1.2 mL--

Other ingredients: purified Water, Grain Alcohol

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.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Sarsaparilla extract

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 15 drops 30 to 45 minutes before workouts.

Precautions

Note: If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your health care professional before using this product.

Do not use if tamper-evident seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

General

SN0718 REV H172

General Statements

Smilax, also known as sarsaparilla, is a popular herbal extract.

See for yourself

Smilax by Source Naturals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Smilax by Source Naturals

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

Serving size1.2 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container24 Amounts shown are per serving.

Sarsaparilla root extract

Interacts with
2 drugs
1.2 mL per serving

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: Purified Water, Grain Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Smilax by Source Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Smilax?

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 Smilax 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 Smilax, from the product label.

Source Naturals

Name
Source Naturals, Inc.
Street Address
P. O. Box 2118
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
ZipCode
95062
Web Address
www.sourcenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Smilax by Source Naturals: Common Questions

Does Smilax by Source Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Smilax 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?
Smilax 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.
Is sarsaparilla safe to take if I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough safety information to know either way. It's best to avoid it during pregnancy and to talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What is sarsaparilla root extract used for?
Sarsaparilla is a traditional herbal remedy explored for conditions like cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the evidence in our data isn't strong enough yet to rate how well it works for any of these.
Can sarsaparilla cause side effects?
In supplement doses, human safety data are limited. The main concern we track is occupational exposure to the root dust, which can trigger rhinitis and asthma — not a risk from taking the supplement itself.
Is this product safe while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information available. Avoid it while breastfeeding and talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions about alternatives.
What's in this liquid besides the active ingredient?
Smilax is suspended in purified water and grain alcohol as inactive ingredients — no fillers or binders beyond that.

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

Not sure if Smilax is safe with your meds?

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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.

Smilax label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Smilax'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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