Best recipe for Sassafras Tea ?

Wait until dead of winter, dig up a root and really scrub the heck out of it. Take a knife or potato peeler and peal off just the the root bark. Place the bark in a piece of cheese cloth or a Tea strainer. Boil water and put the bark in and let it steep for about 10 >15 minutes. Throw away the bark afterwards.DO NOT boil the water with the bark in it! Add sugar or honey and enjoy :-)

Pretty much it except I always dug in early spring just before green up. Sweeten with honey and throw in a sprig of mint if you got fresh available. Usually don't in spring.

I love the smell of sassafras root. When I was a kid, I used to keep a piece of sassafras root and scratch and sniff it. I have heard it's a carcinogen. How much sassafras root can you safely drink?

I've never hear people claim the file from sassafras leaves, that is used in gumbo, is carcinogenic. Can you make a tea from the leaves?

Keith

The red and white runner roots on mint and spearmint, that are just under the surface, have good flavor all year.

Keith

Thanks, I'll file that away for future use.

I always wait until Winter because the tree is going dormant and the root flavor is more condensed. It takes very few bark peelings to be flavorful so I suggest to "new drinkers" experiment first with less and then adjust to their taste. :-)

They have backed off on the warnings for safrole somewhat as it's the concentration level not it's presence that is of concern.

I don't know of a tea with the leaves but they can be chewed as a breath freshener and once pulped are good to ease the itch of mosquito and chigger bites.

The leaves make a pleasant tasting tea. I prefer it to the root tea. I usually have a supply dried and in my cupboard at all times.

Thanks, I'll try the sassafras root and leaves, next time I find some. I only know one farm near me that sassafras trees. I am going to collect hickory nuts there in a few weeks. Last year was terrible for hickory nuts in my area. I'm hoping there's a bumper crop this year.

Keith

Be forewarned, sassafras tea is a diuretic.