botanical name(s): Sassafras albidum, Sassafras variifolium, Sassafras officinalis
synonyms: sassafras, ague tree, cinnamon wood, saxifrax, fenchelholz, bois odorant, sassafraso, lauro degl'Trocchesi
part(s) used: root bark
qualities: aromatic, pungent, sweet, hot, dry
affinities:
actions: alterative, antirheumatic, carminative, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant
dosage:
» note: the essential oil safrole is not water soluble, but is alcohol soluble; therefore it is recommended to use decoctions (Bergner)
» decoction: 1 tbsp. bark to 1 cup water; drink 1 - 3 cups per day
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
therapy:
» internal: chronic rheumatism; scrofula; syphilitic affections; cutaneous eruptions (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1731); Spring tonic; fever; low blood sugar; failure to thrive; topical liniment for arthritis and chronic rheumatism (Anderson Geller 1984-1989)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d
toxicity: 1; essential oil is toxic
» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brinker, pp. 90, 110) due to emmenogogue effect (Farnsworth)
» do not exceed recommended dose; not for long-term use (McGuffin)
» avoid prolonged use of forms containing its essential oil safrole (e.g. alcoholic extract) due to toxic and hepatocarcinogenic effects (De Smet)
» signs and symptoms of overdosing on the essential oil, safrole, include: nausea, vomiting, mydriasis, vertigo, and cardiorespiratory collapse; long-term side effects include fatty degeneration of heart, liver and kidneys
» studies have shown a link between safrole and cancer (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, Tyler et al, Keeler and Tu, pp. 242, 252-253, 262, 276); safrole has also been noted to have hallucinogenic effects following overdose (Duke, pp. 430-431)
» dermatitis may occur due to essential oil and alcohol-based preparations of sassafras (Duke, pp. 430-431); immature roots cause a vesicular dermatitial reaction (Morton, p. 363)
» potential for hepatotoxicity exists due to the tannins contained in the bark (Duke, pp. 430-431)
constituents: essential oil with safrole; resin, tannin
footnotes
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Felter, H. W.; Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Morton, J.F. 1977. Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, Culture, Uses. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Tyler, V.E., Brady, L.R., Robbers, J.E. 1988. Pharmacognosy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.