Named in the 16th by the famed botanist Nicolas Monardes, the word Sassafras is generally agreed to be a corruption of the Spanish word for saxifrage. Since this time, it has long since been known for its medicinal and culinary properties, as well as having been the subject of a variety of folklore. With the saplings often growing in clusters, you can usually find larger Sassafras trees in bunches, with many shoots and branches deviating from a main trunk. Known for this clustering and its distinctive leaves and flowers, it is also famed for the sweet fragrances it is said to produce. Many say that the roots and leaves possess an aroma that reminds them of citrus, though, depending on who you are speaking with, some might tell you that the crushed leaves produce a scent that is very similar to root beer. In Spanish lore, this Sassafras was well known for its treatment of syphilis, rheumatism, and similar such illness, and it`s leaves still finds use in some regions as a condiment or thickening agent for soups. Some lore also speaks of it in a supernatural light, fearing that if it is burned that it will cause another`s death as it crackles and pops-perhaps in part due to the fact that its oily wood does not burn well, and produces much smoke. Today, it is mostly viewed as a wonderful ingredient for tea, with many using its bark and leaves to produce a flavorful tea blend. Though there is some controversy over the matter, Sassafras is still often viewed as a potent holistic aid in relieving the pains of menstruation and rheumatism. This is a 2 oz packet of cut Sassafras.