Sassafras Herbal Remedies
Sassafras is used externally as a wash for poison oak and insect bites. Taken as a tea, sassafras is used as a diaphoretic during colds and flu and is a traditional "blood purifier" taken in the spring as part of a cleansing program. The root bark provides much of the flavor one associates with root beer, and it is used to form an important part of a traditional root beer brew, along with burdock and other cleansing herbs. As a warming diuretic, it is useful for arthritic and rheumatic conditions. Sassafras has a taste of SPICY and a temperature of WARM.
Sassafras Proper Dose
| Type | Dossage |
| Sassafras Decoction | 1 cup 2-3 x daily |
Sassafras Reference Information
| Latin Name | Sassafras albidum |
| Other Names | Common sassafras |
| Part Used | Root Bark |
| Herb Forms | Bulk herb, tincture. |
| Affects | Blood, Liver, Urinary system |
| Cautions | Not for use during pregnancy. Sassafras contains the essential oil ingredient, safrole, which has demonstrated carcinogenic activity in animals--this has provoked the Food and Drug Administration to restrict the trade of the herb. Many herbalists feel t |
| Botanical Info | An aromatic deciduous tree with broad one-to-three lobed leaves, small yellow flowers, small bright blue fruits in the laurel family. |
Supporting Research
Newall, C. et al.. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Leung, A. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
McGuffin, M. et al. 1997. Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs. Essex: C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd.
Madaus, G. 1976. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Heilmittel. Hildesheim: Georg Olms Verlag.