MMM Nice! Fresh sassafras root

My brother and sister in law went to a festival yesterday and picked me up a chunk of sassafras root. It's bigger than my fist. So far I've only made one cup of sassafras tea with it. I just shaved little flakes off of it with my pocket knife and let it steep in hot water. Oh, man, it tastes amazing! I can smell it through the bag and it's such a great smell. It smells even better when I'm shaving it and even more wonderful when it's steeping. I don't know about you but it's one of my favorite smells and my favorite tea, besides mint. It's like a cup full of happiness. Yeah, that might sound corny but if you've tried it you know what I'm talking about. Anywho, I'm just writing this because I have some shaved and sitting in a coffee filter, ready to steep, right now. The smell of it is filling my room.

I imagine it tastes way better than anything that comes in a box.
What does it taste like? I really have no clue.

a reply to: Skid Mark

In my younger days, in PA again...I had an uncle who made home made root beer. I loved going over and sit on the porch with him, my aunt, and my parents and drinking that home made concoction. He would always send us home with some!
It had a very distinct flavor so unlike the root beer in the stores today...
I always had a little "dream" in my mind of being in the old west and sashaying up to the bar and asking for a sarsparilla!
Fun times! I loved to listen to their stories while sitting on the porch...innocent times they were!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

You're right. It does taste way better than anything from a box. It tastes sweet. In fact, I read somewhere that they used sassafras and sarsaparilla to make root beer.

a reply to: TNMockingbird
That's great! I'd like to have actual root beer instead of the flavored carbonated water and corn syrup they have now. I bet it's tasty.

a reply to: Skid Mark
We always dug sassafras root in the Spring. It is supposed to be better in the Springtime.

Careful now too much might give you the Sh*ts.
Yes it is very, very good tasting indeed, think I might go out and look for some myself.

Btw thanks for reminding me of this.

a reply to: butcherguy
Thanks for that. There are trees around here and I wanted to dig some but wasn't sure if you had to do it at a certain time. It's something to look forward to then.

a reply to: proob4
You're welcome. Thank you for the warning. I'd rather not have the trots lol.

Here's a warning for anyone that's interested in trying sassafras: Besides giving you the runs if you have too much, like Proob4 said, it can also be a blood thinner. So, be careful of how much you drink. Another thing: It can stain things red. Be careful of dripping it on carpet, clothes, and upholstery. It will also stain white cups red. It should wash out of the cup though, not so sure about the cloth and fibers.

originally posted by: Skid Mark
Here's a warning for anyone that's interested in trying sassafras: Besides giving you the runs if you have too much, like Proob4 said, it can also be a blood thinner. So, be careful of how much you drink. Another thing: It can stain things red. Be careful of dripping it on carpet, clothes, and upholstery. It will also stain white cups red. It should wash out of the cup though, not so sure about the cloth and fibers.

Oh yea I forgot about the blood thinning properties also. Which is cool. Hey I live in Saginaw Michigan and I posted on a FB group of natural plants to help me possibly find some. I hope I score. I had it years ago when i lived in Millington, mi from a friend of mine and I absolutely loved it up until the "runs" happened. But we was kids and did not know and drank well too much.

a reply to: proob4
In case you need to know what the leaves look like here:

I'm not sure if the leaves are edible but they smell good. You'll want the root. I don't know how far down to dig or if it matters. Maybe another member does.

originally posted by: Skid Mark
a reply to: proob4
In case you need to know what the leaves look like here:

I'm not sure if the leaves are edible but they smell good. You'll want the root. I don't know how far down to dig or if it matters. Maybe another member does.

Yep i know what the leaves look like

They look like mittens often, just like Michigan does. I have found a guy on a FB group who is going to dig me up a few pounds of roots to barter with me. He lives about 20 minutes away. Love the interwebs.

originally posted by: Skid Mark
My brother and sister in law went to a festival yesterday and picked me up a chunk of sassafras root. It's bigger than my fist. So far I've only made one cup of sassafras tea with it. I just shaved little flakes off of it with my pocket knife and let it steep in hot water. Oh, man, it tastes amazing! I can smell it through the bag and it's such a great smell. It smells even better when I'm shaving it and even more wonderful when it's steeping. I don't know about you but it's one of my favorite smells and my favorite tea, besides mint. It's like a cup full of happiness. Yeah, that might sound corny but if you've tried it you know what I'm talking about. Anywho, I'm just writing this because I have some shaved and sitting in a coffee filter, ready to steep, right now. The smell of it is filling my room.

Thank you for the images and smells!
I once lived in sassafrass woods and was always making tee!
you can also use root and carving knife to whip up a really sweet temporary (of course) tooth brush!
I think I have heard of local natives using it for that.
And the curly-cue trunks/saplings' make a steady supply of cool canes on ebay!

Not to mention medicinal qualities.
Leave a piece of root (de-barked, of course) on a lightbulb for great scent in room!
Tough wood, also!
Made wooden swords for me and all my boys, for training...
Not a one broke!
And that was about 30 years ago!
They still get bashed!
(So do I! Kids are damn good students! *__- )
Thanks again for the tea!
peace and Love
n

originally posted by: proob4
I'm not sure if the leaves are edible but they smell good.

Can you say 'gumbo file'?
That's sassafras leaves! *__-

a reply to: namelesss
I never heard of using it as a tooth brush. I bet it makes your mouth feel fresh and leaves a pleasant taste in it. What is gumbo file?

Never had it before. However after your description, I feel I need to. I wonder about the blood thinning properties though. If I'm already on a blood thinner, would one cup occasionally be a problem?

Sorry, Mr Skid Mark. It seems I have killed your thread. I don't post often, but when I do.....it's crickets chirping.

a reply to: Skid Mark
File powder is the dried and ground up leaves of sassafras.
It is used as a seasoning and thickener... and is an ingredient in file gumbo.

eattheplanet.org...

Basic cautions on here.....