Witnessed by: Western
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), of the Lauraceae family. Aromatic deciduous tree bearing variously mitten-shaped and three-lobed leaves; native range: woodlands and clearings of eastern North America. Globally recognized as ague tree · cinnamon wood · saxifrax in English. The part used is root bark, root. Sweetly aromatic and pungent, the root bark scented of root beer and warm to the tongue.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SASSAFRAS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- sassafras
- Scientific name
- Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees
- Family
- Lauraceae
Form
- Part used
- root bark, root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- aromatic · pungent · sweet
Temperature
- Western
- warm, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- blood · skin · kidneys · joints
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- alterative, diaphoretic, carminative, aromatic stimulant, diuretic
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation; not for prolonged internal use
Toxicity: the volatile oil is rich in safrole, a hepatotoxic and carcinogenic compound; safrole and sassafras oil are prohibited as food additives
Interactions
- Western
- CYP450-metabolised drugs: safrole and metabolites alter hepatic CYP activity · hepatotoxic drugs: additive liver injury from safrole
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.