Sassafras Tree

This tree is so beautiful in the fall.

Sassafras is a member of the Lauracea family, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia.

They usually grow 50 to 100 tall but usually are low growing when in woodlines. Click for closer look, really vivid color.

The Sassafras root bark was once steam distilled to produce an essential oil consisting mostly of safrole that once was used as a fragrance in perfumes, soaps, food and for aromatherapy. The dried and ground leaves are used to make file` powder, a spice used in the making of some types of gumbo. The roots can be steeped to make tea and were used in the flavoring of root beer until being banned by the FDA. Lab animals were given excessive amounts of this sassafras oil and developed permanent liver damage or various types of cancer. In 1960 the FDA banned it's use for food products . The tea was once used as an anticoagulant.

My family on both sides drank Sassafras tea and swore by it that it was a blood purifier. I have drank it myself--it's delicious! I wondered why you could not by the tea or roots anymore, now we know why.

Sassafras leaves and twigs are consumed by white-tailed deer in both summer and winter. Other browsers include groundhogs, rabbits and American Black Bears. Rabbits love to eat the bark in winter.

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things! Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine give their full yield."

Joel 2:21-22