Sassafras

History and Uses:
Sassafras comes from a tree native to eastern North America, which grows up to sixty feet in height. The root bark of the Sassafras has been used medicinally since the pre-Columbian era. Native Americans used Sassafras Root to reduce fevers and also smoked Sassafras Root Bark for pleasure. The Cherokee used Sassafras Root Bark in the treatment of liver disorders, and Sassafras was one of the first American medicinal plants to be used in European medicine, being used in Spain in the sixteenth century and in England in the seventeenth century. Sassafras is most famous for being the original source of root beer, and Sassafras tea has also been a popular beverage, especially in the South. It has been observed that Sassafras tea drinkers are less susceptible to colds and infections than others. Sassafras Root Bark naturally contains safrole, a suspected carcinogen, but since 1976, commercially available Sassafras Root Bark has been treated to remove safrole. Research has shown that Sassafras Root Bark has a general antiseptic power and stimulates the cleaning of toxins from the liver. In the past, Sassafras Root Bark has been used in the treatment of gonorrhea, skin diseases and rheumatism, where it was used in conjunction with Sarsaparilla. Sassafras tea was prescribed as an alterative, diaphoretic and carminative, and it was used in the treatment of cystitis and dysmenorrhea. Sassafras Root Bark has also been used to aid in the treatment of acne, dysentery, gout, herpes, syphilis, measles and shingles.