This is a very fine aromatic bush and tree. I have seen large fields of the bush no taller than the common Indian cornstalk, and I have seen the bush in its adult age of growth as tall as the gigantic oak. The bark of the root is the part used in medicine and domestic use. The Indians of many tribes dig it and use it as a tea. If it were used by civilization instead of store tea and coffee, the stomach and digestion of civilization would be much better, and the owner more happy and hopeful.

Medical properties and uses. -- Sassafras is something used by a great many physicians, if for nothing more than merely to make their medicines pleasant and palatable for their patients to take. It is a blood thinner and purifier. It acts gently on the kidneys, and can be smelled on the urine when it is freely taken. Make a tea of it, and drink it either warm or cold at meals, instead of tea or coffee, and during the day instead of water, when you have got bad blood.