Botanical

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous tree native to North America, known for its aromatic leaves and bark. It has been primarily used for its potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, with key active compounds including safrole and other essential oils. Research indicates that sassafras may have applications in herbal medicine, although further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy.

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TRADITIONS

Studies about Sassafras in Akasha →

How it's used

Parts and preparations, and the conditions they're used for.

root · tearespiratory symptoms
root bark · extractpain · inflammation

These uses are flagged for review — traditional-use claims kept as reported, never as advice.

What the studies found

Findings backed by a source paper, not traditional use alone.

root · tea — Traditionally used for respiratory symptoms and as a diaphoretic.

root bark · extract — Sassafras oil shows potential analgesic effects and has been used historically for pain relief.

Read the source study →

Studies about Sassafras

1 completed study · newest first

A Review and Survey of Local Eastern Kentucky Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Benefits.

Pratyusha Veldhi et al. (2025) · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

This 2023 ethnobotanical review investigated the medicinal plants native to Pike County, Eastern Kentucky, and their pharmacological benefits. The study combined a local survey with a literature review to validate the medicinal properties of 14 identified plants: Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata), Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Porcelain (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima). The survey identified various traditional uses for these plants, including nutritional benefits, insect repellent properties, and applications for conditions such as rheumatism, inflammation, and infections. For instance, Pawpaw is traditionally consumed for its nutritional value and has shown potential in modern research for anticancer and antimicrobial activities, with studies indicating its extracts inhibit the HIF-1 transcription factor, which is involved in tumor growth. Beautyberry has been noted for its insect-repelling properties and has demonstrated efficacy against MRSA infections in research settings. Pipsissewa has been traditionally used for rheumatism and has shown antifungal and anticancer properties in scientific studies. Chicory serves as a coffee substitute and has hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects, while Boneset is recognized for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. The findings highlight the rich ethnobotanical knowledge of the local population and the pharmacological potential of these plants. However, this review is limited by the small sample size of survey participants (n=4) and the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce bias. Further research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to validate these findings and explore the therapeutic applications of these plants more comprehensively.

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