Rocha S.F.R. and Lin Chau Ming. The oil is insoluble in water, very soluble in alcohol, miscible with ether and chloroform.
Sassafras oil is important to several products.
It has been used as a topical antiseptic and pediculicide, but it may be carcinogenic. Safrole has many fragrance applications in household products such as floor waxes, polishes, soaps, detergents, and cleaning agents. Markets and Demand Japan, Italy, and the United States are the most important markets for sassafras oil, and the total annual demand is estimated to be around 2,000 tonnes. Heliotropin consumption is increasing, particularly in Eastern Europe, Asia, and some developing countries, and sassafras oil is the favorite raw material for its manufacture. If price rises markedly, synthetic heliotropin would become more attractive.