Have you ever heard of the sassafras?
Here's one in Binghamton, New York.
The sassafras is a small tree or large shrub - use whichever term you prefer. We had several on the property in Arkansas we lived on many years ago. You can tell the tree by its distinctive leaves, some of which look like mittens and some have three "fingers"- and, if you dig up a root, it smells just like root beer (which, at least most times, is a non alcoholic drink with a distinctive taste).
That isn't by accident. At one time, root beer came from an extract of sassafras, but one of the chemicals in the root, safrole, is known to be a carcinogen in animals. In days past, many used to drink a spring tonic type tea made from the roots or bark.
I love root beer.
Medicinal uses. The flavoring (at one time) of root beer. What is there not to like?
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My son Charlie loves Root Beer as does David so this will be a fun post to share with them and a tip he can share with his teacher when he returns to school. Have a Blessed day.
ReplyDeleteI do not think I have ever seen a sassafras tree. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have sassafras in my yard
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts. I haven't heard of this name before, maybe I would recognise it with it's local name here.
ReplyDeleteAnd, today, maybe we can hide under it and get some relief from the triple digits!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware about this tree and the medicinal value. This is an informative piece
ReplyDeleteIt was fascinating to read about a sassafras tree and beer-- would have never thought of a connection between the two!
ReplyDeleteHuge root beer drinkers here. And I do mean huge! ;) Now have one more reason to love trees!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting story with the tree. I had no idea that root beer was made from this plant once upon a time! ThursdayTreeLove
ReplyDeleteBesides seeing some beautiful trees, I'm learning information on them! I love root beer also! Thanks for hooking me up to the Tree Lover hop!
ReplyDeleteI had heard of sassafras, but I couldn't identify one if I tripped over it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting and informative post, Alana. Am intrigued by the mitten like and three-finger type leaves. And root beer... that's fascinating too. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteDoes this tree grow in New Jersey? I would love to be able to identify it when I visit again in September.
ReplyDeleteI had heard about Sassafras but never seen one. The info about root beer is interesting indeed! Thanks :)
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