# Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

**Sassafras*; the ague tree*

**Known today as.** The root bark of *Sassafras albidum*.

Kind: Plant  
Toxic: yes

> **Caution.** Safrole is a carcinogen.

## What was it used for?

Against the French disease, rheumatism, and fevers; shipped from Virginia in the first colonial cargoes.

## What does modern science say?

Its safrole causes liver cancer in animals, and the United States banned it as a food additive in 1960.

## Pharmacognosy and toxicology

- **safrole**: 80 per cent of the root oil

**Mechanism.** Safrole is activated in the liver to a DNA-binding epoxide and caused liver tumours in rodents; it is also the starting material of MDMA.

**Dose.** Chronic; a cup of sassafras tea held a few milligrams.

**Standing.** Banned as a food flavouring in the United States in 1960; safrole-free extracts flavour root beer.

## Sources

- Monardes, N. (1574). *Historia medicinal*, part II.
- IARC (1976). *Monographs*, vol. 10: safrole, Group 2B.
- Homburger, F., et al. (1961). “Toxic and possible carcinogenic effects of 4-allyl-1,2-methylenedioxybenzene (safrole).” *Medicina Experimentalis* 4.

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*Sassafras.* In *Materia Medica*, edited by B. C. P. Statema. Version 1, revised 2026-09-25. The Thinking Press. https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/sassafras

Historical description, not medical advice.