Sassafras

 MM says safrole is is carcinogenic but only from steam distillation. Tea and tincture are safe. Caraway is higher in safrole than sassafras. Either way, don't use pure distilled oil.

Herb: Sassafras

Latin name: Sassafras albidum

Synonyms: Laurus albida, Sassafras officinale, Sassafras sassafras

Family: Lauraceae (Laurel Family)

Medicinal use of Sassafras: Sassafras has a long history of herbal use. It was widely employed by many native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a wide range of complaints, valuing it especially for its tonic effect upon the body. It is still commonly used in herbalism and as a domestic remedy. The root bark and root pith are alterative, anodyne, antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and vasodilator. A tea made from the root bark is particularly renowned as a spring tonic and blood purifier as well as a household cure for a wide range of ailments such as gastrointestinal complaints, colds, kidney ailments, rheumatism and skin eruptions. The mucilaginous pith from the twigs has been used as a poultice or wash for eye ailments and is also taken internally as a tea for chest, liver and kidney complaints. An essential oil from the root bark is used as an antiseptic in dentistry and also as an anodyne. The oil contains safrole, which is said to have carcinogenic activity and has been banned from use in American foods - though it is less likely to cause cancer than alcohol. In large doses the oil is poisonous, causing dilated pupils, vomiting, stupor, collapse and kidney and liver damage. The oil has been applied externally to control lice and treat insect bites, though it can cause skin irritation.

medicinal herbs: SASSAFRAS - Sassafras albidum (naturalmedicinalherbs.net)