SASSAFRAS TEA
My grandmother, being part Creek Indian used to dig the roots and make a fairly strong tea (by adding extra pieces of the root, and steeping a little longer than usual, about 10 minutes) in the springtime for a tonic. Several things she had a habit of doing, she learned from her mother, grandmother, and other relatives. Any other time of the year it was made weaker and simply drank because of its pleasant taste. It has a pleasant taste similar to root beer, even though sassafras does differ from sarsaparilla. Both are beneficial to your health, in small amounts,***READ WARNING NOTE,. Some people use the bark of the root, while others use the whole root itself. It varies within different regions, according to their knowledge or lack of knowledge.. All the different parts of sassafras can be used for food and/or medicine. The dried leaves can be ground up and used in gumbo, as a thickener, and also has a subtle, but unique flavor as well. WARNING NOTE: In large quantities, tea made from the root, is said to be toxic. Pregnant ladies shouldn't drink it unless okay'ed with her doctor or natural practitioner, just to be on the safe side. Do your own research and decide for yourself. And according to webMD, "The safrole in sassafras root bark and oil can cause cancer and liver damage. Consuming just 5 mL of sassafras oil can kill an adult. Sassafras can cause sweating and hot flashes. High amounts can cause vomiting, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and other severe side effects." WebMD Disclaimer in footnotes! |
The use of a great many of these native simples was not imbecile, but, on the contrary, highly efficacious, as Dr. Porcher pointed out during the Civil War.
Sassafras tea was used in cases of pneumonia, measles, bronchitis, or cold. Disclaimer in footnotes!
Sassafras tea was used in cases of pneumonia, measles, bronchitis, or cold. Disclaimer in footnotes!