Sarsaparilla is a plant, with the root used for medicinal purposes. Used for treating psoriasis and other skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease, for increasing urination and promoting sweating. Athletes sometimes use sarsaparilla as a steroid for performance enhancement, particularly in bodybuilding. In manufacturing, sarsaparilla is used as a flavouring agent in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals. In the American “Old West” sarsaparilla was the most popular drink of the cowboys,