Table of Contents
“Sassafras as a drink has the effect of tasting good and there is no reason to remove the safrole,” says author and wild plant expert Samuel Thayer. “The amount of safrole is very small and is mostly or wholly eliminated through boiling.” To Thayer’s point, Steven Foster and James A.
How do you extract oil from sassafras?
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. The oil is dried by mixing it with a small amount of anhydrous calcium chloride.
Does sassafras root bark contain safrole?
Sassafras is a native plant to North America and was used by the Native Americans for various medicinal cures and cooking spice. The roots and barks of sassafras contain a high concentration of the chemical safrole, whereas the leaves do not contain safrole.
How do you clean sassafras root?
After harvest, spray the roots with cold water to remove dirt, mud and debris. Light brushing may be required for cleaning larger roots prior to removing the bark. Sassafras root bark is very susceptible to mold. To dry root bark, you really need to have access to heat either from the sun or furnace as well as airflow.
Is sassafras illegal in the US?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently prohibits sassafras bark, oil, and safrole as flavorings or food additives. Among one of the biggest potential pitfalls of sassafras is its reported link with cancer. The FDA banned sassafras use in 1979 following research that showed it caused cancer in rats.
Can safrole oil get you high?
It’s derived from the oil of the sassafras plant. This oil, called safrole, can be used to make MDA. MDA causes your brain to release more chemicals called neutrotransmitters, which produces the high.
What is safrole oil?
Safrole (94-59-7) is a colorless or slightly yellow, oily liquid that has been commonly used in cosmetics and as a food flavoring, extracted as sassafras oil from the root-bark or the fruit of sassafras (Lauraceae) plants.
How much safrole is in a sassafras root?
But sassafras tea contains a lot of safrole, the chemical in sassafras that makes it poisonous. One cup of tea made with 2.5 grams of sassafras contains about 200 mg of safrole. This is about 4.5 times the dose that researchers think is poisonous.
Why did the FDA ban safrole?
Well, sassafras and sarsaparilla both contain safrole, a compound recently banned by the FDA due to its carcinogenic effects. Safrole was found to contribute to liver cancer in rats when given in high doses, and thus it and sassafras or sarsaparilla-containing products were banned.
How much safrole is bad for you?
Because safrole is carcinogenic, the FDA has banned the use of the oil as a food additive. A dose of safrole of 0.66 mg/kg is considered hazardous for humans.
How do you harvest safrole?
Sassafras and Filé Foraging Pick the leaves to dry for filé. To harvest the roots, go find a big sassafras tree and look for the smaller saplings that have probably popped up around the parent. Grip the sapling at the base and slowly pull it up to gather young roots.
How long do you boil sassafras root?
Sassafras tea is made by boiling the root bark of the tree in water for 15–20 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse the liquid.
Can you smoke meat with sassafras?
Taste. According to Scott Thomas of GrillinFools.com, a website devoted to smoking foods of all kinds, the wood of the sassafras tree produces musky, mild, sweet smoke that is especially well-suited for smoking beef, pork and poultry.
Is safrole carcinogenic?
Safrole and oil of sassafras has been banned as a food additive by the FDA due to carcinogenic concerns, and should not be used to treat medical conditions. However, sassafras contains safrole, a volatile oil, which has been classified as a likely carcinogen to humans, and banned as a food additive by the FDA.
Does A&W root beer contain safrole?
Nonetheless, the root was removed from the beer and has since been replaced with wintergreen and other proprietary flavors by major root beer manufacturers like A&W, Stewart’s, and Barq’s. Meanwhile, just in case you were wondering, safrole can also be found in anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper.
How much is sassafras root worth?
You can buy 1 pound of sassafras root on Mountain Rose herbs website for $19. Seems like $13 for 1 ounce is a bit steep. This is a huge waste of money.
How much sassafras should I take?
One cup of tea made with 2.5 grams of sassafras contains about 200 mg of safrole. That equates to a dose of about 3 mg of safrole per 1 kg of body weight. This is about 4.5 times the dose that researchers think is poisonous.
Can you grow sassafras?
Sassafras trees will grow in part shade to part sun and are soil tolerant. They will grow in clay, loam, sand and acidic soils, provided there is adequate drainage.
Does nutmeg contain safrole?
Both nutmeg and mace contain myristicin, which can, in turn, be isolated to help produce more potent psychotropic drugs, like MMDA and its more popular, potentially therapeutic analog MDMA. They also contain the compound safrole, which is a known precursor to MDMA.
Does safrole float on water?
Safrole is a member of the class of benzodioxoles that is 1,3-benzodioxole which is substituted by an allyl group at position 5. Safrole appears as clear colorless or slightly yellow liquid with the odor of sassafras. Denser than water (density 1.09 g / cm3) and insoluble in water. Hence sinks in water.
How do you germinate sassafras seeds?
Sassafras requires a cold period to germinate. Plant seeds in containers in fall and watch for sprouting the following spring. Seeds can be planted directly in the ground, in shade, but be sure to mark the area (I use a section of low fencing, folded into a triangle), and make sure the soil does not dry out.
