Sassafras is a sturdy tree found in the bayous of Louisiana. When the tree is young, its leaves are shaped like "mittens," sometimes with two "thumbs." As the tree matures, sometimes reaching a height of 100 feet (30 meters) and a trunk diameter of up to 6 feet (200 cm), the leaves grow more rounded, free of indentation. Cajun cuisine uses sassafras leaf to make file (FEE-lay), the seasoning and thickening agent for gumbo. The early Cajuns learned to use file' from the Choctaw Indians of the Gulf coast, who evidently used it to thicken soups. The leaves have a lightly spicy and a pleasant aromatic scent and flavor. The fresh young leaves are used in salads. The tea of Sassafras should only be administered by someone qualified in the use of this material, and the novice should abstain from experimenting with Sassafras as an internal medicine. This herb can be dangerous when ingesting interally for women who are pregnant and should not be used internally. In Magick, Sassafras leaf is used for grounding, house blessing, harmony in the home, health, wealth, money, overcoming addictions. It can also be used in dream magick, to ensure peaceful dreams. Keywords: Money, Health, Abundance, Harmony
