Deciduous tree, Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees, Lauraceae; also known as S. variifolium (Salisb.) Kuntze, and S. officinale Nees & Eberm. Medicinal parts are the peeled and dried root bark, root wood, and essential oil of the root wood; traditionally used as carminative, diuretic, dermatologic and antirheumatic. Habit. North America. Constit. Volatile oil (5-9%), isoquinoline alkaloids (<0.1%), lignins such as sesamin, resin, sitosterol, starch, tannins, wax. Review of pharmacology: D. Hutson, M. J. Cupp in Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products, M. J. Cupp, Ed. (Humana Press, Totowa, 2000) pp 245-252; of constituents and traditional uses: J. Barnes et al., Herbal Medicines (Pharmaceutical Press, London, 2nd Ed., 2002) pp 414-416.
Obtained from the root. Constit. 80-90% safrole, eugenol, α-pinene, α- and β-phellandrene, asarone, d-camphor, myristicin.