Sassafras is native to eastern North America. It is a tree that can grow up to 90 feet
tall, and it has distinctive three-fingered mitten-shaped leaves, as well as other leaf
shapes. The inner bark of the root is used medicinally and in the preparation of
beverages.
Sassafras has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Reliable
and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies
suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal
or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health
benefit.
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
Sassafras was used by Native Americans for many purposes, primarily for infections and
gastrointestinal problems.1 Sassafras was one of the first and largest exports from
the New World back to Europe as a beverage and medicine.2 Commercially, the
pleasant tasting volatile oil was valued as a flavoring agent in root beer and similar
beverages. Eclectic physicians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries considered sassafras
a useful diaphoretic (a substance that causes sweating) and diuretic plant, primarily for
relieving rheumatism and fevers, and as part of the treatment of urinary tract infections.3
Active constituents
The volatile oil of sassafras is believed to be the major active constituent of the plant.
This oil contains up to 85% of the terpenoid known as safrole.4 Safrole causes
liver cancer when given to laboratory animals in high doses for long periods of
time.5 Sassafras bark, sassafras oil, and safrole are currently prohibited by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration from use as flavorings or food additives. Human studies are
lacking to verify the efficacy of sassafras for any condition. However, one case study has
been published showing that sassafras acted as a diaphoretic in an otherwise healthy
woman.6 While the amount of sassafras that could potentially cause cancer in humans
remains unknown, one cup of strong sassafras tea is reported to contain as much as 200 mg of
safrole, an amount that is four times higher than the amount considered potentially hazardous
to humans if consumed regularly.7
How much is usually taken?
The safety of long-term internal use of sassafras has not been proven. Only guaranteed
safrole-free products should be consumed. Note that safrole-containing food products are
illegal in the United States and Canada.8 Some sources suggest a dilute tincture
can be used in the amount of 1 to 2 ml three times per day.9 Volatile oil of
sassafras can be applied topically three times per day for lice, but should never be taken
internally.10
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Safrole causes liver cancer if given to laboratory animals “in high doses and for
extended periods of time.”11 This requires metabolism of safrole by the liver
into other toxic compounds, though the liver also removes some of these compounds for
excretion through the urine.1213 The overall risk of sassafras causing
cancer in humans is thought to be low because it is only weakly active and the amounts
normally consumed are low.14 To eliminate the risk, sassafras products that contain
safrole should not be consumed.
Safrole and its toxic metabolites do cross the placenta and enter breast milk in laboratory
animals, and thus sassafras should be avoided by women who are pregnant or
breast-feeding.15
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with sassafras.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
1. Vogel VJ. American Indian Medicine. Norman, OK: University of
Oklahoma Press, 1970:361–5.
2. Vogel VJ. American Indian Medicine. Norman, OK: University of
Oklahoma Press, 1970:361–5.
3. Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King’s American Dispensatory, 18th
ed, 2 vols. Portland OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1898, 1983:1730–1.
4. Kamdem DP, Gage DA. Chemical composition of essential oil from the
root bark of Sassafras albidum. Planta Med 1995;61:574–5.
5. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal
Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
1997:152–4.
6. Haines JD Jr. Sassafras tea and diaphoresis. Postgrad Med
1991;90:75–6.
8. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal
Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
1997:103–4.
9. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury,
Dorset, UK: Element, 1990:230.
10. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury,
Dorset, UK: Element, 1990:230.
11. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal
Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
1997:152–4.
12. Luo G, Guenthner TM. Metabolisms of alklylbensene
2’,3’-oxide and estragole 2’,3’-oxide in the isolated perfused rat
liver. J Pharm Exp Ther 1995;272:588–96.
13. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal
Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
1997:152–4.
14. Enomoto M. Naturally occurring carcinogens of plant origin: Safrole.
Bioactive Mol 1987;2:139–59.
15. Vesselinovitch SD, Rao KV, Mihailovich N. Transplacental and
lactational carcinogenesis by safrole. Cancer Res 1979;39:4378–80.
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes
only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical
experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not
necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2009.
Reliable
and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies
suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
