Sarsaparilla (smilax officinalis) has been used for its beneficial properties for hundreds of years by many different cultures. In Roman times, the young shoots were eaten, and the mature vines were worn as garland at festivals of Bacchus by the common people. According to ancient Roman writings, Sarsaparilla came from the maiden Smilax, who upon her love being slighted by the young Crocus, was transformed into this shrub. In other cultures, the herb was not popular until the 16th century when Spanish explorers discovered the Caribbean species, a prickly (zarza) vine (parra) that was small (illa). That description became our word Sarsaparilla, and for the next 300-400 years, Sarsaparilla was used extensively for its beneficial properties.