I use the leaf/stem trimming in my soap, and infuse it in oil for a massage oil. It gives a nice brownish/reddish color to the soap.

The root of the plant Sassafras albidum contains safrole, which converts naturally, in the liver, into MDA. I was curious about the effect of drinking the tea, I've heard it gives you a real mellow, content feeling (like MDA). I Don't think I made the tea strong enough for a full effect, but i definately felt a little more chilled out. Some friends of mine went to a festival this summer and people had a drug called sass, maybe it was made from the oil? not sure. I plan to experiment some more....I wonder if you can steam distill the oil from the root?

Sassafras is a main ingredient i Gumbo- Louisiana's style laissez les bons temps roulez- it is also used in Thailand for cholesterol and blood pressure. Definitely a must in my herbal kitchen.The thin spindly red hairs can be ground into food or brewed into tea, and ain't nothing like it to make the gumbo mambo and get the mojo moving!

I don't know how healthy it it is, but my father used to give us the root to chew on when we were little (cleaned, of course). It tastes just like commercial root beer, hence the name. As a root beer fan, I ate tons of it as a kid.