Blisters

Eastern Deciduous Forest and Tall Grass Prairie

Common Name: Sassafras

Genus and Species Name: Sassafras albidum

Habitat: Pastures, roadsides, thickets, and on the border of dry woods

Seasons: Sassafras roots are available year round.

Medicinal uses: The sassafras oil is an antiseptic (kills germs) and analgesic (pain killer). It also reduces swelling. 

Preparation: The sassafras root is boiled in order to extract its oil. Oil is lighter than water, so it will separate. Then one can remove the oil from the water and apply it to the blisters in order to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and kill germs.

Active Chemical Ingredient: Safrole

Chemical Formula: C10H10O2

Chemical Structure:

Resources:

Safrole. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/safrole#section=Top
Medical Attributes of Sassafras albidum - sassafras. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://klemow.wilkes.edu/Sassafras.html
Sassafras. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/sassafras
Sassafras albidum - Natural medicine facts. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://www.naturalmedicinefacts.info/plant/sassafras-albidum.html
Ayers, C. (n.d.). How to Extract Sassafras Oil. Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://www.ehow.com/how_7766393_extract-sassafras-oil.html