Grown chiefly in India and the West Indies, sarsparilla is reputed to
be an excellent remedy for purifying the blood. It is not an uncommon
thing to see hawkers at country fairs selling it as a beverage. The
usual preparation used is the Decoction which is made as follows:
Decoction of Sarsparilla.
Take 1 part of Jamaica roots cut up transversely, add to it 12 parts of
boiling distilled water, allow it to soak for 1 hour, boil 10 minutes,
cool, strain, and add water to make 8 parts. A wineglassful of this
decoction can be taken at intervals.