Sassafras Leaf Honey
Like so many, I'm deeply enamored by the fall foliage, but even more so when I can make medicine with it. The Sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) puts on such a show in the fall and, although the essential oils in the leaves are certainly more concentrated in the summer, the mucilage is still potent in the fall and lots of their aromatic and unique flavor is still present. I love gathering them now- when the trees are about to drop them anyway and they're in their full autumnal glory.- and make a potent and delicious herbal honey with them. You can even gather recently fallen leaves for medicine!
This is an easy one to ID. It's very distinctive in that it has 3 different shaped leaves (ovate, mitten-shaped, and three-lobed) that smell very fruity when crushed. In our bioregion, Sassafras grows as either a woody shrub or small tree in mostly sandy soils, the edges of dirt roads and/or areas that receive lots of disturbance.
Although the root bark is what's most commonly worked with in herbalism, Sassafras leaves are also quite medicinal! They're rich in mucilage- a thick, gooey, complex carbohydrate that excels at nourishing and protecting the skin and mucous membranes, both inside and out. It's the same plant as filé, which is used to thicken gumbo, and the leaves are an excellent bioregionally abundant demulcent herb (a category of herbs that are mucilage-rich), which can be quite sustainably harvested when gathered in the fall in this way.
Sassafras Leaf Honey
Ingredients:
Fresh Sassafras leaves (Sassafras albidum)
Honey (preferably local and raw)
Directions:
Gather your Sassafras leaves- this can be done in the summer when they’re green or you can wait until the fall when they turn brilliant colors and make the medicine then- it’s up to you! The essential oils are more concentrated in the summer but the mucilage remains strong through the fall. Chop well and put into a dry glass jar. Cover with honey and mix well until the leaves are thoroughly coated in honey. Let sit at least a week until you use it (if you can wait that long!).
Use:
I love eating it straight from the jar or it can be added to hot water for an instant cup of tea. Edible applications are only limited by your imagination! Try putting it on toast or a cheeseboard for the fanciest charcuterie ever. You may also choose to strain it although you’ll lose most of the moistening mucilage if you do. This honey lifts the spirits and brings-in buoyancy and joy and also is an excellent, moistening tonic for the lungs and dry mucous membranes in general. Have as-needed- 1-3 cups/day or 1-3 spoonfuls
If you’d like to learn more about our locally abundant herbs and folk medicine-making, our 2025 From the Roots Up Apprenticeship in bioregional herbalism is now OPEN for registration!
Class meets 1 sunday or monday/month and we have Year 1 and Year 2 options. In these hands-on, in-person, experiential classes we dig deep and build relationships with our locally abundant medicinal plants, learn sustainable wildcrafting, build our home apothecaries and nurture relationships with our locally abundant medicinal plants.
