Also Known As:

Ague Tree, Cinnamon Wood, Common Sassafras, Kuntze Saloop, Sassafrax, Saxifrax.  Sassafras ablidum, synonyms Sassafras officinale, Sassafras varifolium.  

Family: Lauraceae.

Indications:

pertains to Ying and Wei Qi levels – exterior cold with deficiency
warms channels, disperse cold – wind-cold, painful joints, dysmenorrhea
unblocks Yang Qi in chest – palpitations

Dosage: 3- 9g.  

Also Used For:

Orally, Gui Zhi is used for urinary tract disorders, mucous membrane inflammation, syphilis, and as a tonic and "blood purifier".

Topically, Gui Zhi is used to treat skin eruptions, rheumatism, eye inflammation, sprains, swelling, and for relief of insect bites or stings. Sassafras oil is also used topically as an antiseptic and pediculicide.

Folk medicine, Gui Zhi is used for bronchitis, geriatric high blood pressure, gout, arthritis, skin problems, kidney disorders, and cancers.

In beverages and candy, a safrole-free bark extract has limited use as a flavoring agent.