sassafras oil

noun

1. a yellowish or reddish-yellow, aromatic volatile oil distilled from sassafras root, used in flavoring, perfumery, and medicine.

sassafras oil

noun

1. a clear volatile oil that is extracted from the root of the sassafras tree and contains camphor, pinene, and safrole

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassafras oil¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

In 1844, he wrote a book in which he finally revealed the ingredients: licorice, myrrh, sassafras oil and quinine.

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The former is made from sassafras oil, which is derived mostly from endangered rain forest trees in Brazil and Southeast Asia.

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Safrol, an ether which is the chief constituent of sassafras oil, and also found in considerable quantity in camphor oil.

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Rheumatic Liniment.—Olive oil, spirits of camphor and chloroform, of each two ounces; sassafras oil, 1 drachm.

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It is sold as an artificial sassafras oil, and is very much used in perfuming cheap toilet or household soaps.

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