Sassafras Oil

Sassafras Oil is a potent essential oil distilled primarily from the bark of the Sassafras albidum tree, native to North America. Steam distillation yields a yellow to reddish-brown oil with a strong, sweet, root beer–like aroma due to its primary constituent, safrole. Historically used in perfumery, flavoring, and herbal medicine, Sassafras Oil possesses aromatic, antiseptic, and stimulant properties. Despite its traditional applications, safrole-containing Sassafras Oil is strictly regulated in many countries due to potential hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity associated with safrole. As such, modern uses are limited, and safrole-free versions are required for legal use in personal care or flavoring. In compliant forms, it finds niche use in natural fragrances, industrial solvents, and botanical extracts.