Sassafras Oil
/ˌsæsəˈfræs ɔɪl/noun
A fragrant essential oil distilled mainly from the roots or bark of the sassafras tree.
Did you know?Sassafras oil can contain safrole, a compound once used to flavor traditional root beer but later prohibited as a food additive in the United States because of carcinogenicity concerns.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Indigenous American languages
sassafras
“The ultimate source is uncertain; the name was adopted by Spanish and European writers for the North American tree.”
1570s
Spanish
sasafrás
“A name recorded for the aromatic North American sassafras tree.”
Late 16th Century
Latin
sassafras
“A learned botanical form used in European medical and herbal texts.”
17th Century
English
sassafras
“The tree Laurus sassafras, valued for its fragrant wood, bark, and roots.”
14th Century
Old French
oile
“Oil; a liquid substance obtained from plants or animals.”
Modern English
English
sassafras oil
“Essential oil distilled from sassafras material, historically used in flavoring, fragrance, and traditional remedies.”