The parts used are the root bark and leaves. Sassafras has a spicy odor, reminiscent of fennel and a sweetish, aromatic flavor. Sassafras its extract and oil were formerly extensively used in flavoring root beer. Only safrole-free bark extract is reported used in nonalcoholic beverages and in candy with average maximum use levels of 0.022% and 0.015% respectively.
Safrole-free bark extract also used in ice cream, ices and baked goods.
The essential oil contains a number of questionable plant constituents: safrole, cineol, thujone, anethol, myristicine, eugenol, B-asarone, estragole.
The oil used by the perfume industry as an aromatic and fragrance material primarily for scenting soaps.
In addition to its flavoring uses, sassafras bark tea was used in folk medicine as a diuretic and ‘blood cleansing’ agent. It is traditionally used in treating bronchitis, high blood pressure of elderly people, and rheumatism.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
