Sassafras Side Effects

Sassafras albidum, a deciduous tree native to eastern North America and eastern Asia, serves as an herbal remedy and cooking additive. The leaves of the sassafras tree aid in preparing teas and the bark as a spice in cooking. Medicinally, the roots and bark supply an herb used as a remedy for treating many illnesses, including gout, arthritis, skin problems, bronchitis, high blood pressure and sprains. Sassafras even serves as a blood purifier or thinner and also as a treatment for head lice. However, sassafras oil has several dangerous side effects, even proving to contain a carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent.

Toxic Effects

• Sassafras oil contains a carcinogenic chemical, called safrole, which is highly toxic. It can cause liver damage and even cancer, according to horticulturist Ronald Smith. It can also cause trembling, shock, nerve damage, paralysis and hallucinations. The National Institute of Health states that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of safrole in teas, spices and herbal supplements in 1960. Tea infused with large doses of safrole can cause vomiting, low body temperature, liver damage, dilated pupils, stupor, confusion, kidney damage, itchiness, difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, chest pain, paralysis, skin inflammation and swollen throat. According to Prevention Magazine Online, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with kidney, liver or heart problems should not consume sassafras tea. Merely 1 cup of strong sassafras tea contains approximately 200 mg of safrole, which is four times higher than the amount considered potentially harmful if consumed regularly by a human. Sassafras root extracts, which do not contain safrole, are still permissible, but the sale of sassafras products containing safrole still persist today, according to Drug Information Online.

Emmenagogue

• Drug Information Online states that sassafras is no longer considered a safe herb. Furthermore, it is an emmenagogue. This means that it can cause or provoke menstruation, leading to abortion or miscarriage in pregnant women. Therefore, women desiring to become pregnant should not take this herb as a supplement. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid all forms of this herb.

Other Side Effects

• According to Amy Christine Brown, University of Hawaii at Manoa, sassafras may also cause central nervous system depression, ataxia, hypothermia and hypersensitivity to touch. Sassafras can also cause diaphoresis, sleepiness, accelerated heart rate, dermatitis and hot flashes.