Sassafras - International, Historical Uses; Industry Opportunity

Safrole is also consumed in China, Chinese Sassafras

Sassafras has a revered place in many cultures.

Hospitality: In 1884, Ellen Emerson of Boston published a work of myths of "aborigines" (the term as used), from Hindustan, America, Egypt, Assyria, Persia, and China.* See the role of sassafras for hospitality world-wide. See  also ://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/3base/safrole.plants/fafopo/sassafras_oil.html

Long history: from the Cretacean Period

Good uses: It once was seen as Plague cure: see "The Tree With Red Mittens," in the Missouri Conservationist at mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2000/02/50. See how it was used in early Virginia at nps.gov/archive/fora/hariotpart3. It is a tonic, a pick-me-up, an essential for tasty root beer, sarsaparilla, tea and more. See henriettesherbal.com/archives/best/1996/sarsaparilla for sarsaparilla from sassafras

Native Americans and Westerns thrived on it. Its age gives it a venerable place in evolution. See Joseph McCabe, 1910-1920, at arthurwendover.com/arthurs/science/evolution.

Other effects useful to some, deplored by others: Safrole has been known to cause abortion. With appropriate dosage, can it be a natural birth control method, and private? As with any ingestible, its effect depends on dosage. See thedance.com/herbs/sassafras. Safrole is used as an abortifacient for heifers, so its capacity in that function is no news here.

And yet: Safrole is banned, with all its good uses,
While other substances such as aspartame are not,
Even though a more direct impact on disease or ill effect seems clear.
Is ban then required, or could we simply limit the use?
Is it worse than, example, aspartame?
Aspartame reviews.

There are studies against safrole's use: as here,
Sassafras Carcinogen factors, at fax.libs.uga.edu/E98xR3xE5x1884/1f/indian_myths.txt at p. 141; and beta.blogger.com/bs.uga.edu/E98xR3xE5x1884/1f/indian_myths at p. 565.

For more on sassafras used for hospitality and rural cures, and edibles, see recipes for candy, jelly, tea. Here are recipes for sassafras tea, mead, "quarreling," and candy: www.southernhumorists.com/sassafras. A good chew will improve your breath. Yes, yours, says Wildman Steve at econetwork.net/%7Ewildmansteve/Plants.Folder/Sassafras.

A promoter of file gumbo, describes it in: generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/prof/Recipes/File-Sassafras/file.
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* Photo, see China Road Ways