A small tree in the laurel family, sassafras, or Sassafras albidum, is native to eastern regions of the United States, where it thrives in wooded areas. At maturity, the sassafras tree reaches a height of 75 feet. The roots and the bark of the tree, which were once an important part of herbal medicine, are aromatic and have a slightly sweet taste. Today, the United States bans commercial use of sassafras root in internal remedies, due to potential health dangers. Do not use sassafras root in any form.
Historical Internal Uses
Sassafras root provided the flavor for the first root beer, and this medicinal root figured prominently in Native American medicine, where it was valued as a spring tonic, a diuretic, and a treatment for kidney and liver disorders. Folk medicine uses of the root include the treatment of painful menstrual periods, syphilis, bronchitis, colds and flu, arthritis and rheumatism.
Historical Topical Uses
Early medical practitioners combined sassafras oil with oil of cloves to make a numbing dental preparation. Washes, made from infusing the root in water, were important for treating lice. A liniment made from sassafras oil was popular for healing bruises and skin inflammation.
Components
Sassafras contains safrole, a known carcinogen, warns the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." The FDA banned the use of sassafras for any type of internal use, food flavoring, or food additive in 1967. Other root components include volatile oils and isoquinoline alkaloids.
Warning/Danger
As a carcinogen, safrole may produce malignant tumors. Oil of sassafras is highly toxic and may cause vomiting, stupor, miscarriage, low body temperature, heart palpitations, hallucinations, paralysis and even death.
The "Gale Encyclopedia" reports that as little as a single teaspoon of oil of sassafras can kill an adult and a few drops can kill a small child. There is no recommended safe dosage of this herb. Do not use sassafras root or oil of sassafras.
References
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 2"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition"; Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D; 2000
- Drugs.com: Sassafras
