Sassafras
|
Botanical Name |
Sassafras albidum |
|
Family |
Lauraceae |
|
Other Names |
Common sassafras, Laurus sassafras, North American sassafras, sassafrax S. officinalis, S. variifolium |
|
Habitat |
Hedgerows |
|
Description |
Deciduous tree up to 40m/132ft. Orange/brown bark. Yellow/Green flowers |
|
Native to |
North America, Canada |
|
Parts used |
Root bark, root |
|
Actions |
Antirheumatic, antiseptic, antiviral, diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative, pediculicide, stimulant |
|
Extraction |
Steam distillation of dried root bark chips |
|
Constituents |
asarone, camphor, menthone Volatile oil: safrole (80-90%), 5-methoxyeugenol, asarone, eugenol, alpha phellandrene, beta phellandrene, alpha pinene, myristicin, thujone, caryophyllene, anethole Alkaloids: boldine, norboldine, isoboldine, norcinnamolaurine, reticuline Lignans: sesamine, desmethoxyaschantin Tannins. Phlobaphene, resins |
|
Circulatory muscle joint |
Rheumatism, gout |
|
Caution |
Do not use |