Smilax China (China Root) Chobchini

Botanical Name: Smilax glabra

Smilax is an aquatic plant that belongs to the lily family, with large, circular green leaves and a thin stem. In China, smilax grows predominantly in the Yangtse river valley and the country's southern provinces. The dried rhizome of the plant is used in herbal remedies.

Smilax Glabra has been used in China as a detoxification agent to treat sexually transmitted diseases (like syphilis). Its recorded use in history dates back to approximately the 5th century A.D. It has been prescribed to heal gout in Latin America, and contains at least four phytosterols that feature wide-ranging curing properties.

It also is a source of carotenoids, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that work synergistically to support the prostate health of men.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Smilax Glabra Rhizoma is used to treat an additional variety of urinary conditions, such as urinary tract infections and related cyst growth.