Description
Sassafras essential oil is extracted from Sassafras albidum (a.k.a. Sassafras officinale, S. variifolium and Laurus sassafras) from the Lauraceae family. It is also called Sassafrax.
Oil Properties
This oil is high in safrole (80-90%) which is banned by the FDA because it is carcinogenic (cancer causing) and can be lethal even in small doses.
Origin Of Sassafras Oil
Sassafras is a deciduous tree that grows up to 130 feet high with several branches that are slender and covered in soft, spongy bark. The flowers are a yellowish green color. It is the bark and the wood of the tree that are aromatic.
Ancient herbal medicine used Sassafras to treat arthritis, gout, hypertension, kidney disorders, menstrual disorders, rheumatism and skin disorders.
It is the high content of saftole present in the oil that deems it carcinogenic. It was listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia in 1983 for the treatment of cutaneous skin eruptions, gout, head lice and rheumatic pain.
Precautions
NEVER USE IN AROMATHERAPY! EVEN A FEW DROPS ARE CONSIDERED LETHAL!