The herb 'sarasaparilla' better known as 'nannari' is a wonder herb which would come in handy during summer with its cooling medicinal property of protecting one from common summer ailments.The syrup made from this herb root is called nannari syrup.Our ancestors used to drink a mixture of extracts from 'nannari' roots adding a tint of lime juice and palm sugar (panamkalkandam) to keep them cool during summer. However the palm sugar was replaced with white sugar and in course of time people were drawn towards other attractive alternatives. The exposed part of the root is brown in colour while the inner part is whitish. The root has an astringent taste and a pleasant odour. The herb is found in foothills and only the roots of the herb are used for extraction. The 'nannari' extract is prepared from its roots through steam distillation after which it is mixed with citric acid water and sugar in certain proportions to constitute the 'nannari' concentrate or syrup.