Is sassafras oil illegal?

Since 1960 the United States and Canada have banned sassafras oil (other than trace amounts of safrole) from foods and medications. Sassafras oil should not be consumed orally or used externally as even small amounts can be fatal.

What is sassafras essential oil used for?

Despite serious safety concerns, sassafras is used for urinary tract disorders, swelling in the nose and throat, syphilis, bronchitis, high blood pressure in older people, gout, arthritis, skin problems, and cancer. It is also used as a tonic and “blood purifier.”

Can you make sassafras oil?

Safrole can be obtained through natural extraction from Sassafras albidum and Ocotea cymbarum. Sassafras oil for example is obtained by steam distillation of the root bark of the sassafras tree. The resulting steam distilled product contains about 90% safrole by weight.

Is sarsaparilla and sassafras the same thing?

Both beverages are named after their distinct differences in ingredients when they were first made. Sarsaparilla was made from the Sarsaparilla vine, while Root Beer, roots of the sassafras tree. These days, Root Beer recipes do not include sassafras as the plant has been found to cause serious health issues.

What are the side effects of sassafras tea?

Sassafras can cause sweating and hot flashes. High amounts can cause vomiting, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and other severe side effects.

What is the benefits of sassafras tea?

Sassafras tea is produced from the root bark of the sassafras tree, which is native to parts of North America and Eastern Asia. Test-tube studies show that sassafras and its components may reduce inflammation, act as a diuretic, and help treat leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection.

Is sassafras toxic to humans?

The safrole in sassafras root bark and oil can cause cancer and liver damage. Consuming just 5 mL of sassafras oil can kill an adult. Sassafras can cause sweating and hot flashes. High amounts can cause vomiting, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and other severe side effects.

Why is sassafras bad for you?

Sassafras contains safrole, which causes liver cancer in animal models and is classified as a carcinogenic substance. Risk increases with length of exposure and amount consumed. Hot flashes and diaphoresis: due to the ingestion of sassafras tea.