DMT-Nexus member
Posts: 27 Joined: 09-Feb-2013 Last visit: 05-Jul-2013 Location: Fluxing Topology
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Sassafras was one of the most important exports for the American colonies. There are wild plants that contain sassafras oil all over the eastern US, and probably other places too. I see documentaries about the forests in Asia being ruined by safrol rustlers, because it is worth so much money for a drum of the stuff. If it is worth so much money why haven't Americans been exploiting their own trees to get saffrol? I don't think it is illegal to produce, is it?
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analytical chemist
   
Posts: 7463 Joined: 21-May-2008 Last visit: 09-Aug-2025 Location: the lab
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:laughs: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." ~ hassan i sabbah
"Experiments are the only means of attaining knowledge at our disposal. The rest is poetry, imagination." -Max Planck
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DMT-Nexus member
Posts: 152 Joined: 30-Dec-2012 Last visit: 17-Mar-2014
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I'm not sure on the legality of distilling sassafras essential oil, but selling it would definitely be illegal.
It's true that safrole can be toxic/carcinogenic, thing is you would be hard pressed to ingest enough plant material to reach a dangerous level. Sassafras has a long history of traditional use as a herb that can actually enhance health, and like many "toxic" substances a small amount can actually be good for you. Unless you are planning on pounding teas made from kilos of sassafras bark on a daily basis, or drinking shots of the pure essential oil, I wouldn't worry about the supposed carcinogenic and toxic effects.
I've made a tincture of sassafras bark (cold extraction in alcohol for a month, then strained it out and boiled the remaining plant material, combined the cold alcohol and hot water extracts at the end). I would say I notice a subtle stimulation and sometimes a mild heart-opened feeling from taking the tincture. Very gentle but enjoyable herb. It's good for enhancing circulation in the body, kind of like cayenne or ginger.
Interesting to hear about cold water extraction, I may give that a try sometime and see how it compares to the tincture.
benzyme, you mentioned back on the first page of this thread that aporphine is a 5-HT7 antagonist, is there any evidence that aporphine is found in sassafras? I have only heard of its occurence in some species of Nymphaea/Nelumbo.
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analytical chemist
Posts: 7463 Joined: 21-May-2008 Last visit: 09-Aug-2025 Location: the lab
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Aporphine and tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Sassafras albidum. Chowdhury, B.K.; Sethi, M.L.; Lloyd, H.A.; Kapadia, G.J. Phytochemistry vol. 15 issue 11 1976. p. 1803-1804 "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." ~ hassan i sabbah
"Experiments are the only means of attaining knowledge at our disposal. The rest is poetry, imagination." -Max Planck
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DMT-Nexus member
Posts: 152 Joined: 30-Dec-2012 Last visit: 17-Mar-2014
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Sweet, thanks for the reference benzyme!
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DMT-Nexus member
Posts: 27 Joined: 09-Feb-2013 Last visit: 05-Jul-2013 Location: Fluxing Topology
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Well if sassafras oil is illegal there sure are a lot of people breaking the law by selling it on line.
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Not I
Posts: 2007 Joined: 30-Aug-2010 Last visit: 23-Sep-2019
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Hiyo Quicksilver wrote:endlessness wrote:Are you saying its for sure not carcinogenic? Can you please explain your critique to the studies/data? No, I am not saying that it is or is not carcinogenic or toxic. No, I won't explain with studies or data because I'm assuming you're bright enough to think for yourself, do your own research and make your own decisions as an intelligent individual. The burden of proof is not on me and you're not obligated to read or believe what I post. I am not going to spend my time scouring the internet for your edification. It is the god-given right of every living being to consume what he, she or it pleases. Please stop putting words in my mouth, I don't care to put up with that... I am not making decisions for anyone or saying that one should use the substance. I'm saying that many people do use the substance in moderation to great benefit and live long healthy lives. The came can be said for cigarettes and other potentially deadly substances. Petty picking on people who offer a point of view other than your own is not harm reduction. Telling other humans what they should and should not eat, asking them to justify their thoughts and opinions, and abstracting words in order to start ridiculous arguments seems such a sorry waste of time that divides people and causes stress. In my opinion it would be kind of you not to alienate others and spread tension. So to summarize. You have no clue what you are talking about and feel compelled to make dubious claims that could potentially harm someone. Then when endlessness posts legitamite scientific publications and very politely asks for you rebuttal to your claim that: Quote:There's about as much info indicating that safrole is toxic as there is indicating that one can consume moderate amounts on a regular basis and lead a long, healthy life as many cajuns I know do. The best response you can muster is this standoffish BS of "Do your own research post". Dude that's flat out pathetic. HE BROUGHT RESEARCH TO YOU. You are the one to lazy (and to wrong) to scour the internet. If you want to make false statements that could potentially endager the lives of others then the Nexus is not going to be the place for you. I recommend dropping the hostile standoffish attitude and showing a little more respect to those that actually DO take the time to search the internet for said information. Peace If your religion, faith, devotion, or self proclaimed spirituality is not directly leading to an increase in kindness, empathy, compassion and tolerance for others then you have been misled.
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