Sassafras tea

Sassafras tea is a herbal tea made from the roots and bark of the sassafras tree. It has a long history of use in traditional Native American medicine and was adopted by European settlers in North America.

History

The use of sassafras tea dates back to the indigenous peoples of North America, who used it for a variety of medicinal purposes. The European settlers in North America also adopted the use of sassafras tea, and it was exported to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Preparation

To prepare sassafras tea, the roots and bark of the sassafras tree are boiled in water. The resulting liquid is then strained and can be sweetened with sugar or honey. Some people also add milk or cream to their sassafras tea.

Health Benefits and Risks

Sassafras tea has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including skin disorders, rheumatism, and fevers. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of sassafras in commercially manufactured foods and drugs due to the presence of safrole, a compound found in sassafras that has been linked to liver cancer in animal studies.

Cultural Significance

Sassafras tea has a significant cultural role in certain regions of the United States, particularly in the Appalachian region, where it is often consumed as a spring tonic.

See Also

• Herbal tea
• Sassafras
• Native American medicine
• Appalachian region