⚠
Active regulatory warning
Review required: Check FDA MedWatch, EMA, WADA for current status.
Last checked: 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD📎 Cite 📄 PDF
1 Identity

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum (safrole)
BannedEvidence: StrongRestricted
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) root bark contains SAFROLE — classified as a CARCINOGEN (hepatocarcinogenic in rodents) and a DEA-watched precursor chemical for MDMA/ecstasy synthesis [1]. FDA banned safrole as a food additive in 1960. Sassafras tea (traditional root beer flavoring) is technically illegal if it contains safrole. 'Safrole-free' sassafras extract is available but of questionable safrole removal. The DEA monitors bulk sassafras oil purchases for MDMA manufacturing [1].
5
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum (safrole)
BannedEvidence: StrongRestricted
Clinical verdict: Sassafras contains SAFROLE — carcinogen + DEA-watched MDMA precursor. FDA banned as food additive (1960). Traditional root beer ingredient now illegal with safrole. DEA monitors sassafras oil purchases. A folk tea that is simultaneously a carcinogen and a drug precursor [1].
RDA
BANNED internally
Target range
N/A
Upper limit
No safe dose (safrole carcinogenic)
Evidence
Strong
Population dosing — click to filter
2 Risk self-assessment
DANGEROUS [1].
Select factors above to see your risk level
Clinical pearl for practitioners
SupplementIndex
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum (safrole) · Banned · Evidence: Strong
RDA
BANNED internally
Upper limit
No safe dose (safrole carcinogenic)
Evidence
Strong
Clinical bottom line
Sassafras contains SAFROLE — carcinogen + DEA-watched MDMA precursor. FDA banned as food additive (1960). Traditional root beer ingredient now illegal with safrole. DEA monitors sassafras oil purchases. A folk tea that is simultaneously a carcinogen and a drug precursor [1].
Do not miss
⚠ DANGEROUS — see overview [1]
Pregnancy
AVOID — carcinogenic [1].
4 Lab interpreter

See overview

<12 Deficient
12–20 Insufficient
20–50 Optimal
50–100 Excess
>150 Toxic
Your level:
Enter a value above
⚕ For healthcare professionals. Does not replace clinical judgment.
5 Quick facts
CategoryRestricted
Safety levelBanned
EvidenceStrong
RDABANNED internally
Upper limit (UL)No safe dose (safrole carcinogenic)
Scientific nameSassafras albidum (safrole)
DANGEROUS/RESTRICTED — see overview[1]
6 Dosage by population

Adults Moderate

See product label

Elderly Moderate

See product label
Consider reduced renal/hepatic clearance. Start at lower end of range.

Pregnancy Moderate

See guidance
AVOID — carcinogenic [1].

Pediatric Moderate

See guidance
ABSOLUTELY NOT [1].

Athletes Limited

Standard dose

Obesity Limited

Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.

Renal Limited

Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.

Vegan Moderate

Standard dose
DANGEROUS — NOT for supplementation. See overview [1].
7 Form comparison
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost/day
['See overview', 'restricted/banned', 'See overview [1].']StandardCheck label
8 Clinical evidence

Strong evidence

See overview [1]. HIGH

Moderate evidence

See overview [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient evidence

See overview [1]. LOW
9 Safety

🚩 Red flags — when to stop and refer

● DANGEROUS — see overview [1]

Pregnancy

AVOID — carcinogenic [1].

Pediatric

ABSOLUTELY NOT [1].
10 Toxicity and overdose

11 Drug interactions
See overview Lethal/major
Mechanism: See overview [1].
Effect: See overview [1].
Action: DO NOT USE [1].
12 Supplement interactions
13 Laboratory monitoring
See overview Primary
Target: N/A · N/A
See overview [1].
14 Deficiency and prevalence
0%
[1]

Risk factors

• DANGEROUS [1].
15 Frequently asked questions
DANGER ▼
Sassafras contains SAFROLE — carcinogen + DEA-watched MDMA precursor. FDA banned as food additive (1960). Traditional root beer ingredient now illegal with safrole. DEA monitors sassafras oil purchases. A folk tea that is simultaneously a carcinogen and a drug precursor [1].
16 Regulatory status
BANNED/RESTRICTED — see overview: [1].
17 References
[1]See overview. REVIEW
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19 Cite this page
Vancouver
Pkhakadze G. Sassafras — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: Public Health Institute of Georgia; 2026 [cited 2026 May 30]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/sassafras/
APA 7th
Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Sassafras — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/sassafras/
CC BY 4.0
🛡 SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
GP
Reviewed by Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal · Chair, PHIG
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next: November 2026
This entry is provided for educational and public health purposes under CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. For corrections: info@accreditation.ge.
Publisher: PHIG · Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD