26 



AMERICAN MEDICINAL BARKS. 



Collection, prices, and uses. — Sassafras bark is collected in early spring or 

 autumn from the root, and the outer layer removed. 



Sassafras bark is used for its tonic properties. It forms a popular domestic 

 " spring medicine," and in early spring the market women display on their 

 stands bundles of sassafras bark, to be made into a tea, by many people 

 regarded as a useful remedy. 



Sassafras oil, also official in the United States Pharmacopoeia, is distilled 

 especially from the root bark, but often also from the whole root. Maryland. 

 Virginia, and Pennsylvania are the most important centers of production. It 

 is used as an anodyne, also as a stimulant in neuralgia, and for the purpose 

 of flavoring confectionery and soaps. 



The dried pith (or medulla) from the branches is likewise official. It yields 

 a mucilaginous liquid with water, and forms a soothing application for in- 

 flamed conditions. 



The price paid to collectors may range from 2 to 10 cents a pound, according 

 to quality. 



SPICEBUSH. 



Benzoin benzoin (L.) Coulter. 



-Laurus benzoin L. ; Lindera benzoin Meissn. 



Benzoin odorif- 

 -Feverbush, Benjamin-bush, wild allspice, spicewood, 



Synonyms.- 

 erum Nees. 



Other common names.- 

 snapwood. 



Habitat and range. — This indigenous shrub frequents damp, shady woods and 

 is seen along streams from Ontario south to North Carolina and Kansas. 



Description of shrub.— The stemless 

 clusters of yellow flowers of the spice- 

 bush appear very early in spring, about 

 March or April, before the leaves. 

 This shrub, ' a member of the laurel 

 family (Lauraceae), ranges from 4 to 

 20 feet in height, and has a smooth 

 bark and slender green twigs. The 

 leaves are oval, sharp pointed, 2 to 

 5 inches long, about half as wide and 

 narrowing toward the base, lighter 

 colored on the lower surface, and with 

 margins entire. Some of the leaves 

 are rounded at the top. The flowers 

 are small, bright yellow, with a fra- 

 grant odor, and about four to six in a 

 cluster, the staminate and pistillate 

 flowers produced separately. The clus- 

 ters of fruit ripen in autumn, and each 

 bright red, obovate fruit contains one 

 large white seed. (Fig. 21.) 



Description of bark. — The thin quilled 

 pieces of bark, as found in commerce, 

 are dark brown on the outside, with 

 small corky warts, and lighter brown and smooth on the inner surface. In 

 older bark the corky excrescences will be found more prominent, and the color 

 is also more ashen. The bark of the spicebush breaks with a short, granular 

 fracture, has a faint, pleasant odor, and a warm, spicy, and astringent taste. 

 139 



Fig. 



!1. — Spicebush (B enzoin benzoin) , leaves, 

 flowers, and fruits. 



