Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Other Names: Ague tree, Saxifrax, Cinnamonwood, Saloop, Smelling-stick

Sassafras Herb Use

Sassafras was used extensively for food and medicine by Native Americans long before European settlers arrived. Sassafras bark was one of the first exports of the New World. Then the FDA gave a bunch to rats and said they got cancer. One woman says it made her hot flashes worse. Now no one is supposed to use it for anything. WebMD is even saying that external use causes problems. For this reason, I shall only discuss historical uses here.

Caution: May be harmful in excessive doses.
The FDA has banned Sassafras from being sold for internal use unless the safrole is removed.

Sassafras tea was made from the root bark, it was considered refreshing and tonic. The root bark and root pith were used in alternative medicine as an alterative, anodyne, antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and vasodilator. An Infusion was used to treat gastrointestinal complaints, colds, liver and kidney ailments, rheumatism skin eruptions and as a blood purifier.

The essential oil (Safrole) from the root bark was used as an antiseptic and anodyne in dentistry. The production of sassafras oil by distillation of the root and root bark is a small industry in the southeastern section of the country. Sassafras is now prohibited for use as a flavoring or food additive because it is said to have carcinogenic properties, though according to acclaimed herbalist James Duke Ph. D., it is less likely to cause cancer than alcohol.

A sassafras tree is said to repel mosquitoes and other insects. All parts of the tree contain essential oils and give off a pleasant spicy aroma when crushed.

In the southern U.S., the roots were boiled, then combined with molasses, and allowed to ferment into the first ROOT BEER. The young leaves have been added to salads and have a mild aromatic flavor.

Sassafras Habitat and Description

Sassafras is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America From Maine to Ontario, south to Florida and Texas. In the North it is a shrub growing only to 7 or 8 feet, but in the Southern States it sometimes attains a height of 100 feet. Found growing in thickets, rich woods, forest openings and edges, roadsides and fence rows. Root sprouts grow vigorously and colonize the area around the main tree. The leaves are alternate, simple, with smooth margins and different in shape, some with three lobes and others with one lobe on the side looking like a mitten and some with none, turning yellow to bright red in autumn. The yellow-green fragrant flowers bloom in clusters in early spring. The fruit is a dark blue berry, about the size of a pea, in a red cup, on a red stalk, in a cluster, ripening in Aug.-Oct.. All parts of the tree are aromatic. Gather the root bark anytime, dry for later use.

Sassafras History and Folklore

Explorers and settlers associated the pleasant aroma of the tree with healing and protection from evil influences, and extracts of the bark and roots soon became a panacea elixir sought by Europeans.