Iramusu tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from Iramusu (Hemidesmus indicus), also known as Indian sarsaparilla. Laksuba’s Iramusu tea is 25 tea bags of finely ground Iramusu leaf and stem from Sri Lanka, with nothing else added. In Sri Lanka, Iramusu is traditionally taken as a cooling herbal drink, although most traditional preparations use the root rather than the leaf.
- What Is Iramusu Tea?
- Iramusu Leaf and Stem Tea vs Root
- Iramusu Benefits: Tradition and Research
- How to Make Iramusu Tea, Hot or Iced
- What’s Inside Every Pouch
- Before You Drink It
- Shipping to the USA, Australia and Worldwide
- You May Also Like
- Storage and Quality
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Iramusu Tea?
Iramusu is the Sinhala name for Hemidesmus indicus, a slender, twining climber of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) that grows across India and Sri Lanka. You may also see it sold as Indian sarsaparilla, Nannari (the Tamil name), or Anantamul and Sariva (its Ayurvedic names). Anantamul means “endless root” in Sanskrit, a clue to which part of the plant the tradition cares about most.
Despite the name, Indian sarsaparilla is not the true sarsaparilla (Smilax species) used in traditional tonics and sarsaparilla sodas. It is also unrelated to the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, which is why Iramusu tea contains no caffeine.
Laksuba’s Iramusu tea uses the leaf and stem of the plant, dried and finely ground into tea bags. It is a single ingredient, with no added flavoring, sweetener or preservatives.
Iramusu Leaf and Stem Tea vs Root: What’s the Difference?
Most of what you will read about Iramusu, in Ayurveda, in Sri Lankan tradition and in scientific papers, is about the root. A 2020 review of the plant’s ethnobotany and pharmacology notes that the plant’s traditional uses are attributed especially to the roots, and that its safety and efficacy in people have not been fully assessed.
Our tea is different: it is made from the leaf and stem, not the root. We say so plainly because the two parts are not interchangeable. In a laboratory comparison by researchers in Sri Lanka, root extracts contained more phenolic compounds and flavonoids than leaf extracts, and the leaf has been studied much less than the root.
What that means for you: if you want the aromatic root, which is known for a sweet, vanilla-like scent that people often compare to root beer, a root product is the closer match. If you want a simple Iramusu infusion in tea-bag form, made from the leaf and stem, this is it.
Iramusu Benefits: What Tradition Says and What Research Shows
Traditional use
In Sri Lanka, Iramusu is known as a cooling herb and is taken as a drink in hot weather. In Ayurveda, where it is called Sariva or Anantamul, the plant is classed as cooling and appears in many traditional formulations, mainly as the root, for everyday skin, urinary and digestive comfort.
That is tradition, not scientific proof, and we have not found a well-controlled study in people showing that Iramusu tea has any health effect.
What research shows
Laboratory studies have tested Iramusu extracts for antioxidant and other activity, mostly using the root. A few have looked at the leaf, and those are test-tube studies, not trials in people. We have not found human studies on the leaf or stem.
Our position
We sell Iramusu tea as a traditional herbal drink. We do not claim that it treats, prevents or cures any condition, and a cup of tea is not the same as the concentrated extracts used in laboratory research.
How to Make Iramusu Tea, Hot or Iced
Here is how to make an Iramusu drink at home. The hot method matches the instructions on the pack.
Hot Iramusu tea
- Place 1 tea bag in a mug
- Add warm water at about 85°C (185°F)
- Steep for 3 to 5 minutes, then remove the bag
- Sweeten with a little honey or jaggery if you like, or enjoy it plain
Iced Iramusu tea
- Steep 1 tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes, then let it cool
- Pour over ice and add a slice of lime if you like
- Or cold brew: leave 1 tea bag in a glass of cool water in the fridge for 6 to 8 hours
- Adjust the strength to your taste
What’s Inside Every Pouch
- 25 tea bags of finely ground Iramusu (Hemidesmus indicus) leaf and stem, about 1.5 g each
- Net weight: 37.5 g (1.32 oz) of tea
- Ingredients: 100% dried, finely ground Iramusu leaf and stem. Nothing else is added.
- Plant part: leaf and stem (not root)
- Caffeine: none
- Origin: Sri Lanka
- Packaging: sealed, resealable pouch. The tea bags and the pouch are made with eco-friendly materials.
Before You Drink It
Iramusu is a traditional herb, but there is little human safety research on it, so a few cautions apply:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: there is not enough human safety information, so we suggest avoiding it unless your healthcare provider says otherwise.
- Medication: Iramusu is a traditional herb with little human safety research, and herbs can interact with medicines. If you take medication for diabetes, a diuretic (“water pill”) or any other prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist before drinking it regularly.
- Health conditions: if you have a kidney or urinary condition, or any ongoing medical condition, check with your healthcare provider first.
- Surgery: tell your doctor you drink herbal teas if you have an operation planned.
- Reactions: stop drinking it if you notice any unusual reaction.
This is general information, not medical advice.
Shipping to the USA, Australia and Worldwide
Laksuba ships Iramusu tea from Sri Lanka to the USA, Australia and countries worldwide. The delivery estimate for your country is shown at checkout.
For orders to the USA, import duties are collected at checkout, even for a single pouch. For other countries, an order of one to ten pouches usually arrives without import duties, but rules differ by country and larger orders are more likely to be charged, so we cannot promise that no duties or taxes will apply.
Australia handles herbal teas under its biosecurity import conditions. Australia’s Department of Agriculture explains that these conditions depend on the ingredients and how the tea is prepared, including whether it comes in tea bags, and that some herbal teas need an import permit. Our Iramusu tea is a single-ingredient, dried, finely ground tea in sealed tea bags, packed in a small 37.5 g pouch. If you are ordering from Australia and want to be sure, check the Department’s BICON system for “tea for human consumption” before you buy.
You May Also Like
If you enjoy traditional Sri Lankan herbal drinks, Bael Tea (Belimal) is made from the flower of the bael tree and is another tea with a cooling tradition. Ceylon Gotukola Tea is a classic Sri Lankan leaf tea. Ceylon Ranawara Tea is another traditional Sri Lankan herbal tea, made from the dried yellow flowers of the Ranawara shrub. To see how another native Sri Lankan plant is used and studied, read our Heen Bovitiya guide, or browse the full Ceylon herbal tea collection.
Storage and Quality
- Press the pouch closed after each use
- Keep it somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and moisture
- Backed by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iramusu the same as Indian sarsaparilla or Nannari?
Yes. Iramusu, Indian sarsaparilla, Nannari, Anantamul and Sariva are all names for the same plant, Hemidesmus indicus. It is not related to true sarsaparilla (Smilax species), which is a different plant.
Is this Iramusu tea made from the root or the leaf?
It is made from the leaf and stem, finely ground, not from the root. Most traditional use and research on Iramusu is about the root, so we do not borrow root claims for this tea. If you are looking for Iramusu root, this is not that product.
What does Iramusu tea taste like?
It is a simple herbal infusion. Because it is made from the leaf and stem, do not expect the root beer-like aroma that Indian sarsaparilla root is known for. Honey, jaggery or a slice of lime are easy ways to adjust it to your taste.
Does Iramusu tea have caffeine?
No. Iramusu is not related to the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), so this tea is naturally caffeine-free and suits any time of day.
How do I brew Iramusu tea?
Place one tea bag in a mug, add warm water at about 85°C (185°F), steep for 3 to 5 minutes, and remove the bag. Add honey or jaggery if you like. For an iced version, let the brewed tea cool and pour it over ice.
Can I drink Iramusu tea every day?
There is no established daily amount for Iramusu leaf and stem tea, because it has not been studied in people. Many people start with one cup a day and see how they feel. Talk to your healthcare provider first if you take medication or have a medical condition.
Is Iramusu tea safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There is not enough human safety information, so we suggest avoiding it unless your healthcare provider says otherwise.
Can I drink Iramusu tea if I take medication?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first. Iramusu has little human safety research, and herbs can interact with medicines, so this matters most if you take diabetes medication, a diuretic or other prescriptions. Iramusu tea is not a substitute for any prescribed medicine.
This page describes traditional uses of Iramusu and published laboratory research. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and individual experiences vary. Please check with your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a medical condition.
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