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Dietary supplement

Sassafras Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Terra

Sassafras label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Sassafras against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Sassafras is a dietary supplement by Herbal Terra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive complaints, cold and flu symptoms, joint and muscle aches.Based on those ingredients, 275 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Sassafras by Herbal Terra

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Sassafras by Herbal Terra — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Sassafras by Herbal Terra

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Sep 10, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract. The extract is prepared with menstruum as the extracting medium — an inactive ingredient that helps deliver the plant compounds.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Sassafras product and its label doesn't state a use — see Sassafras's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

We hold no effectiveness ratings for sassafras in our data, so the strength of evidence for what it may do isn't established here.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sassafras

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Sassafras carries serious safety warnings. It contains safrole, a compound the FDA banned from food because it's linked to cancer and liver toxicity.

The product facts flag it as likely unsafe in pregnancy — safrole is toxic and may harm a developing baby — and likely unsafe while breastfeeding due to safrole's toxicity and lack of safety data. Orally, sassafras is generally regarded as unsafe in medicinal amounts.

Effects can include sweating and hot flashes at lower doses, but larger amounts cause hallucinations lasting days, tremors, vomiting, dilated pupils, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, stupor, collapse, and — in severe cases — liver cancer and death. Even 5 mL of sassafras oil has caused these severe effects in adults.

Topically, it can cause contact dermatitis (skin irritation).

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sassafras

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Sassafras.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 275 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take CNS depressants (sedatives, sleep aids, anxiety medications) — sassafras may strengthen their drowsy or calming effects. Also check if you use CYP1A2 inducers like omeprazole for acid reflux, because lab data suggests they might theoretically increase sassafras toxicity, though this hasn't been confirmed in humans.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Sassafras carries substantial safety and toxicity concerns that make it difficult to recommend. If you're considering it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first — they need to weigh any potential benefit against the documented risks, especially the links to cancer and liver damage.

This is not a product to start, stop, or combine with medications on your own.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Sassafras, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbal Terra
Barcode (UPC) 617503346001
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2020
DSLD ID 235248
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Sassafras by Herbal Terra, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
617503346001
IngredientAmount% DV
certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract970 mg--

Other ingredients: Menstruum

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Origin of plant material: USA.

Manufactured in the USA in an FDA registered facility

Alcohol free

Dried herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3 Expertly extracted Laboratory tested 330 mg/1 mL Premium product Alcohol-free liquid herbal extract

Non GMO

No artificial ingredients, GMO, gluten, color additives, fillers, preservatives or binders. Natural Gluten Free

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Direction Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz of juice or water up to 4 times a day. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking this or any other herbal supplements.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Notice This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Caution May have contraindications.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Formula

Sassafras albidum

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA Made in an FDA registered facility Natural Gluten Free

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Sassafras by Herbal Terra label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Sassafras label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Sassafras by Herbal Terra

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract

Interacts with
275 drugs
970 mg per serving

Sassafras is an aromatic North American tree whose root bark and oil were once popular in teas and as a flavoring, but it contains safrole, a compound...

Certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Menstruum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Sassafras by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Sassafras?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
275Drugs
275 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract 275

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Sassafras interact with 275 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Sassafras interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Sassafras with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract2 drug types · 275 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of sassafras with drugs with sedative properties may cause additive sedative effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Inducers

In vitro research suggests that cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) inducers might increase the cytotoxicity of safrole. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans. Also, it is not known if CYP1A2 inducers increase the toxicity of sassafras. Inducers of CYP1A2 include omeprazole (Prilosec).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
certified organic Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) dried leaf liquid extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Sassafras, from the product label.

Herbal Terra

See all Herbal Terra products
Name
Herbal Terra
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sassafras by Herbal Terra: Common Questions

Does Sassafras by Herbal Terra interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Sassafras has a known interaction with 275 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Sassafras contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is sassafras safe to take while I'm pregnant or nursing?
No. The safety data rates sassafras as likely unsafe in both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Safrole, the main compound in sassafras, is toxic and may harm a developing baby or pass into breast milk. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, do not use this product — talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe alternatives.
What are the side effects of sassafras?
Sassafras is generally regarded as unsafe in medicinal amounts. Lower doses can cause sweating and hot flashes. Higher doses cause hallucinations lasting days, tremors, vomiting, dilated pupils, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Very large amounts (5 mL of sassafras oil) can cause collapse and even death. Liver cancer is a documented risk with regular use.
Can I take sassafras if I take sleep aids or anti-anxiety medications?
Not without checking first. Sassafras has a Moderate interaction with CNS depressants — drugs that calm the nervous system like sleep aids and anti-anxiety medications. Using them together may cause stronger drowsiness or impaired alertness than either alone. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
Does sassafras actually work for anything?
We don't hold effectiveness data for sassafras in our records, so we can't tell you what the evidence shows it does or doesn't do. What we do know is that it carries serious safety concerns — the FDA banned safrole from food due to cancer and liver toxicity links — so any benefit would need to be weighed carefully against those risks.
I take omeprazole for acid reflux. Is sassafras safe with it?
There's a potential Moderate interaction. Omeprazole may theoretically increase the toxicity of safrole (the active compound in sassafras), though this hasn't been confirmed in humans. Because of sassafras's documented safety concerns independently, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using both together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Sassafras label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Sassafras’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Sassafras

Interacts with 275 drugs

Sassafras is an aromatic North American tree whose root bark and oil were once popular in teas and as a flavoring, but it contains safrole, a compound the FDA has banned in foods because it...

Read the full Sassafras monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Sassafras's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 9 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Sassafras 9 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  5. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  6. Ueng, Y. F., Hsieh, C. H., Don, M. J., Chi, C. W., and Ho, L. K. Identification of the main human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in safrole 1'-hydroxylation. Chem Res Toxicol 2004;17(8):1151-1156. PubMed
  7. Kapadia, G. J., Chung, E. B., Ghosh, B., Shukla, Y. N., Basak, S. P., Morton, J. F., and Pradhan, S. N. Carcinogenicity of some folk medicinal herbs in rats. J Natl.Cancer Inst. 1978;60(3):683-686.
  8. Segelman, A. B., Segelman, F. P., Karliner, J., and Sofia, R. D. Sassafras and herb tea. Potential health hazards. JAMA 8-2-1976;236(5):477. DOI
  9. Hu L, Wu F, He J, Zhong L, Song Y, Shao H. Cytotoxicity of safrole in HepaRG cells: studies on the role of CYP1A2-mediated ortho-quinone metabolic activation. Xenobiotica. 2019;49(12):1504-1515. PubMed

See these in context on the Sassafras monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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