Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
What Are the Dangers of Sassafras Tea?
What Are the Dangers of Sassafras Tea?. Sassafras is a tree-based herb that was popular among native and early American settlers for cooking and drinking. Sassafras tea also was considered a health drink capable of curing disease. However, in 1960 the United States and Canada banned its use because its oil, safrole, was known to cause cancer and...
Sassafras is a tree-based herb that was popular among native and early American settlers for cooking and drinking. Sassafras tea also was considered a health drink capable of curing disease. However, in 1960 the United States and Canada banned its use because its oil, safrole, was known to cause cancer and other serious health problems if consumed in more than trace amounts. Although it can still be purchased, the dangers of sassafras tea should not be taken lightly.
Gastrointestinal and Skin Reactions
Sassafras can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain. The oil also will burn the skin. The amount needed to bring about these reactions varies according to the individual.
Lungs, Nervous System and Kidney's
Changes in breathing patterns, such as becoming too rapid or too shallow, can occur in high doses. Users also can experience dizziness, hallucinations and unconsciousness. Kidney damage can result and it will take months to recover. Be advised that biological changes from toxic levels of sassafras also can cause death.
Cancer
Researchers do not know how much sassafras needs to be consumed by humans in order to cause cancer but the Food and Drug Administration has discovered that sassafras causes cancer in rats. One cup of sassafras contains at least 200 mg of safrole and that is four times the amount considered hazardous.
