Homemade Sarsaparilla. ● One Part Sarsaparilla Bark ● One Part Water ● One Part Sugar ~ Boil water and make a tisane from the Sarsparilla Bark. Then make a Syrup with the Sugar. Use about one Tablespoon of the Syrup with Club Soda or Perrier for you Sarsaparilla drink.
There is a real danger with sassafras bark (from which sarsaparilla in derived). Sassafras contains a known carcinogen and has been banned by the FDA. There is a process to remove the carcinogen but not all sarsaparilla marketed has been thru the process. It’s very important to check. When I worked in the Ozarks Sassafras was everywhere and I frequently drank Sassafras tea. This was before it’s potent carcinogenic properties were known and I remember having a nagging stomachache with no obvious cause.
Like how Absinthe was banned for a while, because of its hallucinogenic properties and toxicity. Not sur eif they do anymore, but way back it was so toxic and gave hallucinations because it was fermented in Copper vats, and copper would leech into the end product. That is what gave it its green color.
Sassafras and Sarsaparilla are two separate things, though they're often confused because they taste similar. Sarsaparilla pop in old west times used to be made with Sassafras. Sassafras and Birch Oil. Is that what you meant? Most people today make their homemade Sarsaparilla pop with Sarsaparilla bark from Africa, which is much easier to find. What is the difference between Sassafras and Sarsaparilla? - Quora Sassafras vs Sarsaparilla: What's The Difference? - Miss Vickie The Difference Between Root Beer and Sarsaparilla | Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.
True, but the FDA Still warns that the use of sarsaparilla vine, root, or extract, can cause serious gastrointestinal irritation, and may increase the absorption rate of some prescription medications, while decreasing the effectiveness of others. If you take prescription medications for serious health conditions you should consult your physician before using it. Anise Seed (not star anise, that is a totally different plant) and Licorice Root or Licorice Root Extract are safer, more acceptable alternatives.
You are so right…I was interchanging the two. Given the amount of root beer I drank in the 50’s I’ve since been a bit nervous. I cruised timber in th Ozarks and sassafras was very common. Probably as big a danger as all the poisonous snakes!
