Sassafras root bark Herbal Information
NAME
Sassafras
LATIN NAME
Sassafras officinale
ALSO KNOWN AS
Ague tree, Saxifrax, Cinnamonwood, Saloop, Smelling-stick
ORIGIN
North America.
PARTS USED
Roots.
TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Sassafras is a root bark from North America. It is good for skin, as it is a natural disinfectant and healing salve, it is useful in conditions of psoriasis and eczema. It makes an excellent mouthwash, and can treat head lice and bodily infestations.
It is also a purifyer of the blood, and has a positive healing effect on conditions such as kidney ailments, rheumatism, gout, fevers and infections. It can also be taken as a spring tonic to cleanse, purify and tonify the system.
FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
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. In the southern U.S., the roots were boiled, then combined with molasses, and allowed to ferment into the first ROOT BEER.
CONSTITUENTS
The root-bark contains a heavy and a light volatile oil, camphorous matter, resin, wax a decomposition product of tannic acid called Sassafrid, tannic acid, gum, albumen, starch, lignin and salts.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE
1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb per 1 cup of water will make a medicinal tea. 1-2 ml tincture x 3 daily, or as recommended by a herbal practitioner.
PRECAUTIONS
None known
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