Sassafras Root Bark Powder

Once a major ingredient in root beer, sassafras root bark has the same distinct, nostalgic aroma and flavor as the soft drink — a warm, woody blend of cinnamon, star anise, citrus and vanilla. Native American tribes (and later European settlers) widely used the shrubby tree’s leaves for food and its root bark to make flavorful teas and medicines.

Sassafras root bark was a popular flavoring agent for chewing gum, toothpaste, root beer and many foods until the 1960s when researches discovered that one of the compounds found in sassafras (safrole) is a possible carcinogen. The FDA banned safrole as a food additive, and in modern herbal medicine, sassafras root bark is typically not considered safe for internal use.

Wildcrafted sassafras is ideal for topical applications. The fragrant root bark powder reputedly deters insects, including mosquitoes, and is often used as a natural treatment for insect bites and lice. Sassafras infusions may also be used to scent candles, soaps and perfumes.