PDR for Herbal Medicines

662 /SARSAPARILLA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Further information in:

Hansel R. Keller K. Rimpler H. Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg. New York, 1992-

1994.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs. Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York

1980.

Madaus G. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck. Georg Olmserlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L. Daunderer M. Kormann K. Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl.. Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E. Biogene "Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl.. Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wagner H. Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche Homoopathika. Fischer-Verlag. Stuttgart, Jena, New
   York, 1995.

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

V -

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the essential oil of

the root wood, the peeled and dried root bark, and the root

wood.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers appear before the leaves.

They are dioecious, small and yellowish, and form loose

cymes. The perigone has 6 tepals. The male flower has 6

filaments and the female has 1 ovate ovary and 6 bent

stamens. The fruit is a pea-sized, oval drupe that, when ripe,

is dark blue and appears in the beaker-shaped receptacle.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Sassafras albidum is a deciduous

tree up to 30 m tall with numerous branches. The bark of the

trunk and of the thicker branches is rough, deeply grooved

and grayish. The bark of the outer branches is green. The

alternate leaves are petiolate and 7 to 12 cm long. Some are

simple ovate, others deeply 2- or 3-lobed. The root bark is a

bright, rusty-brown and its irregular pieces are soft, brittle

and corky. They grow in distinct layers and show numerous

oil glands. The root itself is brownish-white with clear

concentric rings traversed by narrow medullary rays.

Characteristics: The taste is sweet and slightly astringent

and the odor is pleasantly aromatic. Sassafras' carcinogenic

effect, however, has made its use inadvisable.

Habitat: The plant is common to eastern North America,
Mexico, and Taiwan.

Production: Sassafras wood is the root wood of Sassafras
albidium. The woody roots (up to 20 cm thick) are dug up in

autumn, then shredded, cut or sawn into cubes. The wood

must not be moistened when being cut because moisture will

cause a deterioration of smell and taste in the later drying

process.

Not to be Confused With: Sassafras root wood is sometimes

confused with the wood of the tree's trunk, which has

distinctive annual ring growth and marrow, or with the bark,

which has calculus and primary fibers. Another difference is

that the trunk wood and bark have little smell or taste.

Other Names: Ague Tree, Cinnamon Wood, Saxifrax,

Sassafrax

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY ' .7-

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (6-9%): chief components safrole (up to 90%), 5-

methoxyeugenol (up to 30%), asarone (up to 18%), camphor

(up to 5%)

Isoquinoline alkaloids: representatives of the aporphine and

reticuline type (less than 0.1%)

EFFECTS

The drug is said to have a mild diuretic effect, which is

undocumented. The toxic characteristics are determined by -

the essential oil, which contains safrole (sassafras aetherole-

um that is renal toxic and carcinogenic).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Sassafras is considered obsolete, but

previously was used for disorders of the urinary tract. The

drug, which was formerly an ingredient of "blood-cleaning

tea," has also been used for skin disorders, inflammation of

the mucous membranes, rheumatism and syphilis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Because of the carcinogenic effect of the safrole, neither the

drug nor its volatile oil should be administered.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is a constituent of tea

mixtures.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, add 50 g of the drug to

1 liter of water. To prepare a tea, add 1 teaspoonful (3 g) of

the drug to boiling water and strain after 10 minufes. A

tincture is prepared using 200 parts coarse powder mixed

with 100 parts diluted wine spirit.

Daily Dosage: A single dose of tincture consists of 5 g.

Storage: Keep Sassafras in a tightly sealed tin container.

LITERATURE

Albert K, Sassafrasol zum Abtanzen? In: PZ 142(11):878. 1997.

Borchet P et a!., (1973) Cancer Res 33:575.

Brophy JJ, Goldsack RJ, House APN, Lassak EV, J Ess Oil

Res 5:117-122. 1993.