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Definition

Sassafras oil is an oil taken from the root-bark of the sassafras tree. Sassafras oil overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this substance.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient
  • Safrole, a clear or slightly yellow and oily liquid
Where Found
  • Sassafras oil

Note: The United States and Canada have banned sassafras oil (other than trace amounts of safrole) from foods and medications since 1960. It's active ingredient, safrole, is a recognized cancer-causing substance.

SymptomsHome Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Breathing support
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Laxative
  • Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Sassafras oil is very toxic. If damage to the kidneys has occurred, it may take several months to heal. Sassafras oil can also cause cancer with long-term exposure.

References

Smolinske SC, Daubert GP, Spoerke DG. Poisonous plants. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 24.

Kingston RL, Foley C. Herbal, traditional, and alternative medicine. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 68.

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Related Questions

What is the average Yield of sassafras oil from one pound of sassafras albidum root bark?

The average yield of sassafras oil from one pound of sassafras albidum root bark is typically around 0.8%-1.5%. This yield can vary depending on factors such as the extraction method used and the quality of the root bark.


What is safrole?

An oil derived from the sassafras tree bark and fruit. Mdma is synthesized from this oil..


How many grams in 5 liters of sassafras oil?

1 grams


Can sassafras kill?

It has been reported that as little as one teaspoon of pure sassafras oil can kill an adult, and only a few drops can kill a toddler. The signs of sassafras poisoning include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and paralysis.


What research has been done on sassafras?

Many reputable studies, however, indicate that there is a definite health hazard in using even small amounts of sassafras either as oil or tea.


Can sassafras cause cancer?

In the 1960s scientists determined that the volatile oil derived from sassafras root contains safrole as its chief component. Safrole is a known carcinogen in animal studies.


Is tea carcinogenic?

Sassafras should not be taken internally or used for healing except for topical applications. In the 1960s scientists determined that the volatile oil derived from sassafras root contains http://www.answers.com/topic/safrole as its chief component. Safrole is a known http://www.answers.com/topic/carcinogen in animal studies. Safrole in concentrations of 80-90%, similar to its concentration in the volatile oil, produced tumors in the livers of laboratory animals. In 1960 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned sassafras volatile oil as a food and flavoring additive. In 1976 it prohibited the interstate shipment of sassafras bark for making tea. A safrole-free sassafras extract is now available; however, there are questions about its potentially cancer-causing properties. Prior to the discovery that sassafras contains a carcinogen, it had a long and widespread history of use as a folk medicine. Native Americans used sassafras to cure many different conditions, but especially as a spring blood tonic. Before long, Native Americans introduced the European settlers to sassafras. It became a sought-after herb in Europe. Sassafras root bark was imported from the United States, and sassafras trees were also planted in Europe. Sassafras tea, sold under the name saloop, was a popular beverage in London.


How was sassafras taken traditionally?

Sassafras should not be used. In times past, before its potentially harmful effects were recognized, it was available as a volatile oil, as bark that could be brewed into tea, and as a component of tonic formulas and tonic teas.


What is sasafra roots for your body?

Sassafras is a tree known for its fragrance, native to the northern hemisphere. The bark of sassafras roots produces an essential oil once used as a perfuming (fragrancing) agent, but it is expensive to produce, and its production is restricted; today a similar oil is produced during the manufacture of camphor. The dried leaves of the sassafras tree are ground to make filé powder, which is used in the famous Louisiana okra stew, gumbo, as a flavoring and thickening agent.


Can a dog overdose on flax seed oil?

absolutly bring him to the clinique quick


Is it safe to burn sassafras in a wood stove?

Sassafras is a good source of firewood, because it is slow to burn and releases a pleasant fragrance. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of sassafras in food and beverages because it contains safrole, an oil believed to be carcinogenic.


Is root beer carbonated?

No. Back in the days of real, honest root beer (pre-1974), root beer contained oil of sassafras, which was the basis of all true root beer flavor. The Feds discovered that oil of sassafras - used for countless things since the time of our colonial ancestors - would give a rabbit a rash if you soaked the rabbit in it for 40 straight days or something. That was the end of oil of sassafras in root beer, and no root beer since has been harmful to humans - or worth drinking, either. But then it's very doubtful it it was truly harmful to humans before that point.