Oil of Sassafras

Commercial Production of Volatile Oils in the United States 

The principal commercial oils produced in this country may conveniently be placed in three groups (1) Those obtained from wild plants (2) those obtained from plants grown commercially for the purpose and (3) those obtained as byproducts in other industries. 

The common sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees), is widespread and abundant on wastelands in the eastern third of the country, is the source of sassafras oil. The oil is widely used as a flavor in carbonated beverages and dentifrices and for its medicinal properties in some pharmaceutical preparations. It is produced mainly in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and southern Indiana and Ohio. All parts of the sassafras tree contain the oil in varying quantities, but only the roots and stumps are used. Some of the oil is distilled in small, rather primitive stills that are probably moved from one place to another as new supplies of the needed material must be found. There are several larger operators with more modern stills. 

The raw materials for them is obtained either from farmers, who procure it from their land and deliver it to the still, or through the distiller s collection crews, who are provided with the necessary equipment. The trees are felled and the stumps pulled out of the ground. The stumps are cleaned of adhering dirt and hauled to the distillery where they are run through a hogging machine and reduced to small chips. The chips are stored above the still, into which they are loaded as needed. The hark of the root contains from 5 to 9 percent oil, whereas 

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But, safrole is the major component of the essential oil of sassafras which is still quite legal to obtain. Sassafras oil has a strong licorice smell which is imparted to it from the safroie molecule. Commercially, there are two kinds of sassafras... 

It is found to a considerable extent in oils of sassafras, camphor, and Ilicitim religiosum. When pure it is a white crystalline mass at low temperatures, melting at + 11°. At ordinary temperatures it forms a colourless oil of characteristic, pleasant odour, and having the following characters —... 

Safrole, a substance isolated from oil of sassafras, is used as a perfumery agent. Propose a synthesis of safrole from catechol (1,2-benzenediol). 

Liquorice root, in moderately coarse powder, each, two troyounces. Oil of sassafras. 

The methylene ether corresponding to eugenole is known as safrole and is the chief constituent of oil of sassafras. Its alpha isomer is iso-safrole. 

Safrole is a mutagenic and animal carcinogenic monoterpenoid. It is the major component of oil of sassafras, and lesser quantities occur in essential oils from cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, and star anise. Some of its known or possible metabolites have mutagenic activity in bacteria and it has weak hepatocarcinogenic effects in rodents. Experiments in mice have suggested the possibility of transplacental and lactational carcinogenesis. 

Oil of sassafras Sassafras alhidum]. About 25,000 pounds produced annually in homemade stills from Maine to Florida and in the hills of Kentucky and the rolling country of Ohio . The oil goes into root-beer, sarsaparilla, candies, chewing gums, mouthwashes, toothpastes, soaps and perfumes. Source Fulling 1948... 

Oil of sassafras is obtained from the root of Sassafras officinale, Nees et Eberm., a tree which grows in Virginia to a height of 20 to 30 feet, in Carolina to 100 feet. Although this tree is widely distributed in the eastern part of the United States, its distillation is mostly confined to Carrol Country, Tennessee. The supply is said to be exhausted throughout large areas, but sufficient remains to meet future demands,provided the price available will cover the cost of collection and distillation. 

Oil of sassafras is employed as a soap perfume and for tooth pastes. It is also used as a parasiticide, but in this connection it is not without danger, for it has been recorded that a dog treated with the oil for lice died after a week s treatment. When taken internally and absorbed, it exerts a poisonous effect on the liver, kidneys and heart. 

It is of interest to note how these differ from the constituents contained in the root bark neither the leaf oil of sassafras nor that of the closely allied camphor tree contains safrole, although the leaves of the allied New South Wales sassafras contain from 80 to 60 per cent. (See beiow.)... 

Oil of sassafras has been reported to interfere with serum phenytoin concentration determination. A 4-mo-old boy was admitted to the hospital for failure to thrive and possible child abuse after an outpatient visit revealed that he was below the third percentile for height and weight, and had scattered bruises, including one above the left eye. The child s mother had a seizure disorder and was taking phenytoin and phenobarbital. It was suspected that she may have... 

Falk s Antacrid Tincture. This alterative has been found a valuable remedy In secondary syphilis and other disorders. Macerate for 7 days 1 ounce powdered guaiac, 1 ounce Canadian balsam, and 2 fluid drachms oil of sassafras, in 8 fluid ounces alcohol. Filter, and add I scruple corrosive eublimatc. Dose, 20 drops in wine or sweetened water, night and morning. 

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