Sassafras Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Ague Tree, Bois de Cannelle, Cinnamon Wood, Common Sassafras, Kuntze Saloop, Laurier des Iroquois, Saloop, Sasafras, Saxifrax
Scientific Name
Sassafras albidum
Why Do People Use Sassafras?
Oral preparations of Sassafras albidum (Sassafras), like sassafras powder, can be used for mucous membrane inflammation, urinary tract disorders, bronchitis, syphilis, gout, geriatric high blood pressure, skin problems, arthritis, cancers, kidney disorders, as "blood purifier" and as a general tonic.
Topically - Sassafras is also used topically to treat rheumatism, skin eruptions, sprains, eye inflammation, for relief of insect stings or bites and swelling. Sassafras oil is also applied to the skin as pediculicide and antiseptic.
In Preparation of Beverages and Candy - Safrole-free bark extract has restricted use as a flavoring agent in various commercial beverages and candy items.
Is It Safe To Use?
Possibly Safe - Oral consumption of sassafras powder is considered safe when combined with food items. Safrole-free sassafras has attained Generally Recognized As Safe status (GRAS) as in ingredient in foods items in the United States.
Possibly Unsafe - There are adverse effects reported by using safrole-free sassafras in medicinal amounts. According to some studies, even sassafras extract free of safrole may lead to tumor development.
Likely Unsafe - Oral consumption of sassafras powder as medicinal agent has a number of lethal side effects. Sassafras oil and root bark contain safrole and other associated compounds that are hepatotoxic and carcinogenic in animals. Oral consumption of sassafras oil in a dosage 5 mL can be lethal in adults. Topical consumption of sassafras may also come up with severe side effects because of its toxic safrole constituent.
Likely Unsafe For Infants - Oral consumption of sassafras may adversely affect the infants. Even some drops of sassafras oil can be dangerous for infants.
Avoid In Pregnancy & Lactation - Due to abortifacient effects of Sassafras oil, pregnant and breastfeeding females should avoid oral consumption of sassafras.
How Effective Is Sassafras?
To rate the effectiveness of sassafras powder, there is insufficient and unreliable information available.
How Sassafras Works?
The most effective part of Sassafras albidum is the root bark. Main constituent of the safrole, volatile oil is carcinogenic (one of the reason for malignant liver tumors in experimental animals). Safrole and its associated L-hydroxysafrole, metabolite are neurotoxic.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Sassafras?
Oral consumption of sassafras powder may lead to hot flashes and diaphoresis. On other hand, excessive use of sassafras oil may cause side effects such as hallucinations lasting for couples of days. In adults, sassafras oil in a dosage of 5 mL can cause vomiting, shakes, hypertension, dilated pupils, stupor, tachycardia, abortion, collapse, liver cancer, paralysis and even death as well. Also, few drops of sassafras oil may come up with sever adverse effects in children.
Topically - Sassafras can be responsible for contact dermatitis.
How Sassafras Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Herbs and Supplements Containing Sedative Properties - Combination of sassafras powder and herbs that have sedative characteristics may increase the therapeutic and adverse effects. Supplements in such category include California poppy, Jamaican dogwood, hops, calamus, 5-HTP, catnip, St. John's wort, yerba mansa, kava, valerian, skullcap and other supplements as well.
Herbs Containing Safrole - Don’t use sassafras powder along with herbs containing safrole, because of potential for additive toxicity. Other herbs that consist of safrole include camphor, basil, nutmeg and cinnamon.
How Sassafras Interacts With Drugs?
CNS Depressants - Interaction rating between sassafras powder and drugs having CNS depressant effects is moderate so be careful about this mixture. Additive effects are reported due to concomitant use of drugs with sedative properties.
How Sassafras Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Sassafras Interacts With Lab Tests?
Phenytoin - Sassafras oil leads to false-positive blood phenytoin test results.
How Sassafras Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Surgery - Sassafras powder contains CNS depressant activity. Sassafras may lead to additive CNS depression, when used in combination of anesthesia and other medications, after and during surgical procedures. So, patients should not use sassafras minimum too weeks of their suggested surgical procedures.
Urinary Conditions - Sassafras can interact and worsen condition of individuals with urinary irritation.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Sassafras?
There is no typical dosage of sassafras.
Comments
Health advisers recommend only leaves and safrole-free extract of Sassafras albidum. Sassafras is in use for last number of decades to taste root beer. Marketing of sassafras as sassafras tea was banned in 1976 by the FDA authority. According to a clinical study, safrole consumption up to 0.66 mg per kg could be lethal. Using one cup of tea made with sassafras 2.5 grams is expected to contain 200 mg of safrole, which makes approximately 3 mg per kg.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
