Sassafras tree grows mainly in North America and East Asia, and it has a delightful smell. (1)
The medicinal trees can grow more than 100 feet and has an unusual yellow-orange or black bark making them easy to identify. (4)
People use almost every part of the tree, including the bark, stems, leaves, branches, roots, fruit, and flowers for its medicinal properties. The parts of the tree are directly consumed in traditional medicine or topically applied.
Sassafras is a traditional medicinal herb that has extraordinary healing abilities including– its ability to cleanse the body, reduce cold symptoms, improve kidney health, relieve pain, prevent cancers, boost the immune system, soothe inflammation, minimize menstruation pain, and increase energy. (2)
America has banned sassafras tea because of its health risks of overdosing. The essential oil of sassafras is used to create drugs like MDA and MDMA. (3)
Even though these facts might seem discouraging, one will be surprised to know the possible health benefits of sassafras tea to the human body in recommended dosage.
Here are some evidence based health benefits of sassafras tea, plus its possible side effects, and precautions to follow.
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8 Incredible Sassafras Tea Benefits and Uses
1. Sassafras Tea May Improve Skin Health
Sassafras tea has antibacterial and antiseptic properties which make its tea effective for proper skin health. It can treat boils, sores, rashes or scars on the skin. (5)
Even applying a poultice, can help with discoloration of the skin.
Drinking Sassafras tea heals many skin problems. Some of them are eczema, skin irritation, and insect bites. (6)
2. It May Soothe Menstrual Pain
For many women, menstruation symptoms can be very painful such as bloating, cramps and heavy bleeding.
Sassafras tea has analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties are very helpful to soothe and lessen the discomfort of menstruation for women. (4)
So, women who suffer from painful periods are recommended by herbalists to use sassafras tea as a natural remedy.
3. Sassafras Tea Can Regulate Blood Circulation
When there is proper circulation throughout your body, it gets all the nutrients needed. Sassafras tea has anticoagulant nature that helps with the thinning of the blood which improves blood circulation.
Camphor, a substance found in sassafras, can improve blood circulation.
Drinking sassafras tea reduces the risks of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. It thins and purifies the blood but only in fixed quantity. (7)
This helps the metabolic process and will keep the body healthy in the long run.
4. It Can Improve Urinary Tract Health
Sassafras tea is a liver stimulant; it causes the body to sweat which can eliminate toxins through the skin. (8)
The tea acts as a diuretic, which means it speeds up urination. This means drinking this tea will help remove toxins, excess fat, and salt boosting immunity. (9)
Health benefits of sassafras tea also include its capability to boost kidney health and reduce risks of kidney infections.
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5. Sassafras Tea May Alleviate Inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of sassafras may assist in inflammatory conditions like arthritis. It may also help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by these conditions. (10)
When consumed is a measured amount, this tea can relieve pain and other inflammatory conditions such as gout, joint disorders, and even arthritis. (11)
6. It May Relieve Fever
Sassafras tea helps cure fever caused by the flu and controls a cough by removing nasal congestion.
It has a spicy aromatic flavor which is good for relieving cold symptoms. (4)
It also keeps your lungs healthy as the tea can reduce symptoms of bronchitis.
7. Sassafras Tea May Help with Digestion
If sassafras tea is consumed in small amounts, it can help with digestion by reducing inflammation inside the digestive tracts. It helps regulate bowel movements.
Health benefits of sassafras tea include relief from diarrhea and constipation.
Sassafras tea is good for the digestive system, and it helps relieve gastrointestinal problems.
8. It May Be a Natural Treatment for Certain Cancers
Sassafras contains compounds that are considered to be carcinogens. The most notable compound found is known as safrole.
Safrole has the potential to fight the effects of certain types of cancer, such as gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, oral cancer, breast cancer and many more. (12)
The compounds found in sassafras can fight back the effects of cancer not ‘cure’ cancer. It only shows a result that is significant in the fight to develop natural cancer.
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How to Make Sassafras Tea?
Sassafras tea is usually made at home using either the leaves of the sassafras tree or parts of the root. You can find sassafras tea bags in stores as well. There is sassafras essential oil too that gives the same benefits.
The health benefits of sassafras tea can be obtained very easily by preparing it at home.
Here’s how you should prepare it:
- Wash the sassafras root and cut off any excess material such as green plant material, saplings or tips of the root.
- Boil the root in some water until the tincture turns into brown or deep red color.
- Leave it in for 5-10 minutes then strain the mixture to separate the roots.
- Pour yourself a cup of the tea and add honey or preferred sweetener for taste.
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Sassafras Risks and Side Effects
Although there are many health benefits of sassafras tea, one needs to be cautious while consuming it. Always try to use small amounts of this plant or herb.
Restrict to not more than 2-3 cups per day and avoid it for a prolonged period.
It is strictly recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers, to refrain from drinking this tea. With many benefits, sassafras tea is an effective herbal remedy for various diseases.
Keep a check on its dosage, and you can experience the benefits of this aromatic tea! (13)
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