China root
noun1
An East Asian plant of species Smilax glabra and the drugs made from the root, used in traditional Chinese medicine and formerly as a treatment for syphilis.
- In his first report on the condition of the island he informed the King that "sugar, ginger, indigo, cotton, tobacco, dyeing woods and cocoa may be had and are produced as well as anywhere ; but pimento, chinaroots, aloes, rhubarb, sarsaparilla, tamarinds, cassia, vaignillios, hides and tallow are the proper commodities.1893, The Handbook of Jamaica, page 44:
2
An East Asian liana of species Smilax china.
- Derived terms
- false chinaroot