Sassafras

(sas‘af-ras) [1,1. A genus of lauraceous trees. The root-bark of S. vaviifo'lia, a Σ tree of North America, is aromatic, stimulant, diaphoretic, and carminative. It is somewhat employed in the treatment of syphilis and skin diseases. The volatile oil contains safrene and safrol. It is an anti narcotic and carminative, but is chiefly used as a flavoring agent. Dose of fluidextract, 30-60 min. (2-4 c.c.); of volatile oil, 1-5 min. (0.066-0.333 c.c.). The pith of the stems of sa afras (s. medul’la) affords a mucilage (mucsta’go sas’safras medul'le) which is used as a demulcent in bronchial and gastric affections, and as an application in eye diseases.