China Root, the dry tuberous rhizome or rootstock of Smilax China, a climbing shrubby plant, closely allied to sarsaparilla; a native of China, Cochinchina, and Japan (see SARSAPARILLA and SMILACEÆ). It was formerly held in high medical repute in Europe, but is now disused; in China, however, it retains its reputation, especially in rheumatic or syphilitic cases. Various American species have been from time to time introduced as substitutes.
China Root
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 3: Catarrh to Dion, p. 196
Source scan(s): p. 0207