Herbs & Supplements

Should I take it?

One species of sassafras tree is native to the plains of North America, while others are thought to have originated in eastern parts of Asia. Sassafras trees generally stay relatively small in cool areas, but they can grow quite large (75 feet or more in height) in warmer regions. Usually, they are easily identified by their unique, mitten-shaped leaves that turn bright red or orange in the fall. The trees produce small white or yellow flowers in the spring followed by grape-sized blue fruits in the autumn. Although they produce seeds, sassafras trees multiply mainly by sending out runners. Runners are woody extensions of tree roots that spread along or just under the ground and often produce shoots for new trees.

The part of sassafras used for medicine was the "root bark", a thick covering that surrounds the roots and runners of sassafras trees. Root bark turned from white to a characteristic red-brown color after being dug up and dried. Pieces of the dried bark were brewed into tea by Native North Americans who used it to treat many conditions. The "spring tonic" routinely taken by native people and colonists usually included sassafras as one of the main components. Later, root beer and candies were flavored with sassafras, which was also used in dental products, perfumes, and soaps until the 1950s. Sassafras leaves do not contain the harmful chemicals found in its roots. For many decades, sassafras leaves have been ground into a powder known as file that is the traditional flavoring and thickening agent for gumbo.

Dosage and Administration

Sassafras should not be taken by mouth. Estimates are that one cup of sassafras tea may contain four or more times the amount of safrole that has been found to be harmful to humans if ingested on a regular basis.

Just a few drops of sassafras oil by mouth resulted in the death of a small child, as reported in the medical literature. Cases of adult fatalities have also been reported from ingesting sassafras oil. In addition, unknown amounts of safrole potentially may be absorbed through the skin after sassafras oil is applied.

The oral use of sassafras is discouraged strongly. Individuals who decide to use a topical sassafras product should purchase a commercially prepared safrole-free product. Even when safrole has been removed, however, oral use of sassafras may still have a risk of serious adverse side effects both immediately and long-term. All sassafras products should be kept away from places that children and pets might be able to reach them.

Summary

Taking any form of sassafras by mouth is strongly discouraged because it contains safrole, a chemical that has been proved to cause liver damage and cancer in laboratory animals.

The oil of sassafras may be applied to insect bites and soft tissue injuries, but its use is discouraged because of the danger that it may be ingested accidentally. Due to its pleasant smell and taste sassafras oil may be mistaken for a beverage by children. In addition, unknown amounts of harmful chemicals from sassafras oil may be absorbed through broken skin.

Risks

Oral sassafras contains a chemical known as safrole, which has been associated with cancer and/or permanent liver damage in laboratory mice. Case reports also link taking sassafras with nerve damage and miscarriage in humans. Children and the elderly are thought to be more likely to experience side effects from sassafras.

Side Effects

Deaths have been reported from taking sassafras or sassafras oil by mouth. Potentially life-threatening side effects such as rapid heartbeat and paralysis are also reported to have occurred. Ingesting or applying safrole-containing products may produce drowsiness, excessive sweating, high blood pressure, and vomiting.

Interactions

Because it may be absorbed through the skin, topical sassafras oil may increase drowsiness associated with certain prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, herbal products, and alcoholic beverages.

Last Revised July 18, 2007