Many people simply enjoy the flavor of sassafras. However, 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
... here's the kicker
It is also used in the manufacture of the drug
ecstasy, and as such, its transport is monitored internationally.quote]
And to think when I was a little girl in girl scouts we used to go out in the woods naming the different trees and once we found a sassafras sapling, we all took turn taking a chew on the young bark!!
I never had sassafras tea, but we grew up on A-Treat Sassafras soda!