Sassafras Soap

[ilove2soap]

We have several Sassafras trees in the yard and my husband asked me to make sassafras tea soap. I told him that the sassafras scent would not come through in the cured soap, but I thought I had read somewhere that you shouldn't drink sassafras tea because it can be bad for you. Do you think it would be harmful in soap? Wouldn't want to accidentally hurt the hubby.

 

[carebear]

From what I've read, the wood is problematic - it contains safrole which is a carcinogen and can be a sensitizer.

But the leaves are apparently benign.

Still, I'm far from an expert so please don't take my word for it.

 

[tlm884]

The dangerous chemicals are found in the wood and roots. Any essential oils containing the dangerous chemical are banned from sale in the US, however, you can get it with the chemical removed.

That being said, I am not sure whether or not that the chemical is present in the leaves. I don't believe it is as the leaves are dried into a powder that can be used in gumbos. However, don't quote me on this.

 

[fiddletree]

Don't take my word for it 100%, but I am with what others have said... leave are probably fine. I've spent a lifetime chewing on sassafras leaves and I don't think it has done any damage yet .

Also, I always heard that it was the bark that was harmful, including the bark like coating on the roots. I think the roots are actually ok, as long as they are peeled. Doubt any of the fragrance will come through, though.

Anyhow, and again I might be wrong, but I think that it is only if the sassafras is ingested that it can cause liver (if I remember correctly) toxicity. Topically it should, in theory, be fine.

 

[ilove2soap]

Thanks for all the good info! I will try to make the soap with tea made from the leaves ONLY and see if I can find a sassafras fragrance oil. Your comment made me laugh Fiddletree! Are sassafras trees common in Italy??

 

[fiddletree]

Thanks for all the good info! I will try to make the soap with tea made from the leaves ONLY and see if I can find a sassafras fragrance oil. Your comment made me laugh Fiddletree! Are sassafras trees common in Italy??

No, not at all, unfortunately! I am American, and grew up munching on sass, but I married an Italian and am now in the (beautiful) land of no sassafras. There are a lot of other tasty things growing wild, though. Whenever I visit my folks in NC you can guess which stems I am usually chewing on

I've never heard of a sass FO, but maybe you can find a root beer one? RB was made originally as a sassafras imitation, I believe.

 

[Maythorn]

Ages ago, there was a Sassafras at Cybilla's fragrance oils. It might still be available at Brambleberry's.

 

[ilove2soap]

Thanks, Maythorn. I have not checked Brambleberry yet, but saw that Wellington carries a Sassafras fo. I have never ordered from Wellington before and don't know anything about the company or quality of their oils, so I will check with Brambleberry first (love, love Brambleberry!)