Sassafras Root Bark (Sassafrass albicium) 1/4 Oz. Package

Product Details

One quarter ounce, cut and sifted.100% Certified Kosher.

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), or simply, is a fascinating North American tree. Native Americans have used sassafras for centuries, using its roots and bark for a variety of medicinal purposes. A decoction of the root bark was traditionally used as a stimulant, an antiseptic, and a supposed treatment for various ailments. However, it's important to note that modern medicine has found sassafras to contain safrole, a carcinogenic compound, and its medicinal use is no longer recommended.

Culinary uses of sassafras have also been prominent throughout history. The fragrant root bark was once a common flavoring in root beer, and filé powder, a gumbo thickener made from the ground pith of the sassafras stem, was once a staple in Cajun cuisine. However, due to safety concerns with safrole, filé powder is now typically made from okra or other substitutes.

Folklore suggests that sassafras wood can be used for divination or as a charm for good luck and prosperity. The aromatic leaves were also sometimes burned as incense for purification or to create a protective atmosphere.