Herbal Uses of Sassafras in Southwest Louisiana
Natural Remedies and Recipes Using a Cajun Spice - Gumbo File'
Jul 23, 2009
As late as the 1970s Sassafras trees were commonly found as large backyard shade-tree specimens in Southwest Louisiana, “sometimes reaching a height of 100 feet and a trunk diameter of up to 6 feet.” (Mountain Rose Herbs, ©2002-2007)
These days local residents tend to forgo the native Sassafras for more rapidly growing, albeit less useful, ornamental trees in their home landscaping. Today if one desired a Sassafras tree it would most likely have to be obtained in the same way that 96 year-old Cajun native, Beulah Richard, had—it was given to her by a friend who had dug it up as a young shoot while wildcrafting in the nearby woods (personal communication, 1997)
Richard was an herbalist of a relatively ancient tradition, which in Louisiana, goes back as far as the exile of the French settlers from Acadia (modern-day Nova Scotia) in 1755 by the English. Many of these Acadians settled in Louisiana and, befriended by the local Native Americans, were taught much about survival and healing techniques for typical dangers and pathogens inherent to the humid-subtropical climate.
Herbal Preparations for Natural Healing
In interviewing Richard it was revealed that the roots and root bark of the Sassafras tree were used liberally in preparing spring tonics; for purifying the blood in acute illness such as measles and other childhood diseases; in the treatment of scarlet fever and rat-bite fever; and to ease rheumatic pains and inflammation. Furthermore, the dried and powdered leaves, file’, was used as a demulcent (Bown, 2001, p.249), as was the pith. In particular, Sassafras pith (sassafras medulla) can also be used to calm eye inflammation or as a soothing drink in catarrhal affection by adding 3.88 grams of the pith to one pint of boiling water. (Grieve, botanical.com - A Modern Herbal, n.d.)
One traditional preparation which was kept on hand at all times by Richard was her Sirop d’File’.¹ This was made by taking a piece of Sassafras root, “a little bigger than your little finger,” and boiling it in a pint of water, “for a long time”; until the water volume had been reduced to half the original amount. At this point, cane sugar was added until a syrupy consistency was achieved. The root was removed and the liquid stored in a dark brown bottle. Richard related that Sassafras is a mild herb—mild enough to use daily in various culinary preparations—yet highly efficacious if used in strong doses.
Does Sassafras Cause Cancer?
According to Tierra (1998), however, the carcinogenic properties of safrole, which is present in small concentrations in Sassafras root bark, has brought up debatable concerns regarding the safety of Sassafras’ use as either a medicinal or culinary herb. Regardless, it must be conceded that Sassafras bark should not be used during pregnancy. In one case, “a teaspoon of the oil produced vomiting, dilated pupils, stupor and collapse in a young man" and moreover, "…its use has caused abortion in several cases.” (A Modern Herbal, n.d.)
Fortunately, the leaves of the sassafras tree do not contain safrole, according to Zatarain’s, Louisiana’s traditional producer of Gumbo File’. So while Zatarain’s has had to use newer methods of flavoring their root beer extracts, their File’ product remains completely safe and authentic; which leaves many safe applications available to the herbalist who would choose to utilize the Sassafras tree.
Additionally, in 1977 Swiss toxicologists performed a study giving Sassafras by mouth to human volunteers and found that safrole was not metabolized into l-hydroxysafrole, which is the metabolist for safrole's carcinogenicity. (Tierra)
Medicinal Uses of Sassafras
- Eczema
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Arthritis and Rheumatic complaints
- Colds & Flu
- Gout
- Menstrual obstructions
- Postpartum pain
Culinary and Other Uses of Sassafras
- Teas, jellies, meads and candies
- Scenting soaps and perfumes
- Yellow dye
- Repelling fleas, bedbugs and lice (Todd, 2005, p.248, and, Gillaspie, 2007)
- Thickening and flavoring Gumbo
References
Bown, D. (2001). Herbal: The essential guide to herbs for living. Parksgate Road, London SW11 4NQ: Barnes and Noble, Inc., by arrangement with Pavilion Books, Ltd.
Gillaspie, A. (2007). Southernangel's sassy sassafras. Retrieved November 2;9, 2007
Glenbrook Farms Herbs and Such (copyright 2006). The great American sassafras tea - Habitat and growing conditions. Retrieved November 29, 2007
Grieve, M. (n.d.) A modern herbal. Retrieved November 29, 2007, from Botanical.com, "Sassafras"
Mountain Rose Herbs (copyright 2000-2007). Sassafras root bark and powder profile. Retrieved November 29, 2007, from MountainRoseHerbs.com, "Sassafras Root Bark"
Tierra, M. (1998) The way of herbs. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020; Pocket Books.
Todd, J. (2005) Jude's herbal home remedies. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125: Llewellyn Publications
Footnotes
- Roughly translates as, “syrup of the File’ tree”. The Cajun people commonly refer to Sassafras officinale as a “File’ Tree” since it is the source of the culinary herb, Gumbo File’.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is given for informational purposes only. No diagnosis should be made nor treatment undertaken without first consulting a Physician or other qualified health professional, as neither suite101 nor the author will be responsible for readers' actions. Images are provided for illustrative purposes only.
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