Mexican sarsaparilla root is harvested from a climbing vine-like tropical plant in the lily family. Because the plant features sharp thorns and is sometimes grown as a living security fence, it is referred to as a greenbrier, which is also the name given for the thicket in which it is purposely grown to keep intruders and stray animals out.

The people of Mexico and Central America have used the root for centuries as a general tonic and rejuvenator. Merchants engaged in the spice trade learned how to use the herb while in the region and introduced its virtues to European physicians in the early 15th century.

Mexican sarsaparilla contains several active compounds that are responsible for its wider range of pharmacological effects, including a variety of plant sterols, saponins and flavonoids.