Sassafras albidum
From PIW
This data has been supplied by Thomas A. Naegele, DO from his 1970's book Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Great lakes.
See the main entry on Sassafras albidum.
| Author | |||
| Family | Lauraceae | Genus | Sassafras |
| Synonyms | |||
| Known hazards |  | ||
| Range | North America - Great Lakes. | ||
| Habitat | Rich woods. | ||
| Edibility rating | Medicinal rating | ||
Contents |
[edit] Description
Perennial deciduous tree, in our lower area.
[edit] Identification details
- Stem
- Black to brown furrowed bark, woody tree, up to 40 m, branching, pale green twigs.
- Leaves
- Alternate; 3 lobed, 2 lobed palm-shaped, or ovate; entire, smooth, green, spicy, 5 to 9 cm long, edible.
- Flowers
- Green to yellow, peduncled corymb racemes, bracts, spring.
- Fruit
- Blue, ovoid, fleshy drupe, summer.
- Root
- Lateral spreading roots, aromatic.
[edit] Plant Usage
The roots and root bark are made into a decoction. To make the tea, boil the root for 15 minutes and let it sit for 10 minutes. Dried bark dose 2 to 4 grams or by infusion, liquid extract 1:1 in 25% ethanol dose 2 to 4 ml, all t.i.d. (83). The roots and root bark are dug up in the spring.
[edit] Medical Usage
Through experience I know the root bark tea is diaphoretic (35,36,38,44,63,83). Other attributes are stimulant (35,36,38,44,63), aromatic (5,35,44,51) and a flavoring agent (32). The root decoction is used as a carminative for stomach distress (1,35,36,38,63,82,83). The pith is used in a topical application to inflamed eyes (35,50,68), because of its demulcent properties (5,27,29,32,51). Large quantities of the tea are said to have narcotic properties (18,40).
[edit] Symptoms
The Indians used the root bark tea as a wash for diseased eyes (63). It has been reported that a root bark poultice is used for sore and inflamed eyes (36). The Indians used the fresh or dried flowers for fevers (63). The root bark decoction was used to reduce fever (32,63). The boiled root tea was used to treat measles and scarlet fever (63). The Seminole Indians used the tea for coughing, gallstones and pain in the bladder (63). Others report, the tea was used for kidney disorders (27,36). The tea has been used to slow down the milk flow in nursing mothers (36). To relieve toothaches, the root bark is placed on the tooth (40). Topically, the oil has been used to rid pediculosis capitis (83).
[edit] Biological industrial uses of this plan
The dried leaves, ground into a powder are used to thicken soup (25,27). Bees utilize this plant for honey (92,93).
[edit] Chemistry information about this plan
The oil contains safrole, isosafrole, pinene and camphor (31,82,83). Chromatography has been done (83).
[edit] Commercial application of this plan
The distilled oil of the root bark has been considered official (2,59). Most of the commercial sassafras oil production is in the southern States (53). The oil is used in the perfume industry (82). The wood is used to make canoe paddles and is considered high quality.
[edit] Personal experimentation and use of this plant by Thomas A. Naegel
I have drank over 2 quarts of the decoction at one sitting. I noticed a distinct diaphoretic and diuretic effect. I have drank at least one cup of the tea every day for over one month with no unusual effects.
