Pediculicide Health Dictionary

n. an infestation with lice, which causes intense itching; continued scratching by the patient may result in secondary bacterial infection of the skin. Head lice (pediculosis capitis; see Pediculus) are quite common in schoolchildren and do not indicate poor hygiene; they may be treated with *malathion or other pediculicide lotions and/or by the use of a fine-toothed nit comb. By contrast, body lice (pediculosis corporis) often affect the homeless and others without access to washing facilities. Pubic (or crab) lice (*Phthirus pubis) are commonly sexually transmitted and respond to the same treatment as head lice.... pediculosis

Sassafras albidum

FAMILY: Lauraceae

SYNONYMS: S. officinale, Laurus sassafras, S. variifolium, common sassafras, North American sassafras, sassafrax.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A deciduous tree up to 40 metres high with many slender branches, a soft and spongy orange-brown bark and small yellowy-green flowers. The bark and wood are aromatic.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to eastern parts of the USA; the oil is mainly produced from Florida to Canada and in Mexico.

OTHER SPECIES: There are several other species, notably the Brazilian sassafras (Ocotea pretiosa) which is also used to produce an essential oil (also highly toxic). See also Botanical Classification section.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It has been used for treating high blood pressure, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, menstrual and kidney problems, and for skin complaints. ‘Sassafras pith – used as a demulcent, especially for inflammation of the eyes, and as a soothing drink in catarrhal affection.’. The wood and bark yield a bright yellow dye.

ACTIONS: Antiviral, diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative, pediculicide (destroys lice), stimulant.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried root bark chips.

CHARACTERISTICS: A yellowy-brown, oily liquid with a fresh, sweet-spicy, woody camphoraceous odour. (A safrol-free sassafras oil is produced by alcohol extraction.)

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Safrole (80–90 per cent), pinenes, phellandrenes, asarone, camphor, thujone, myristicin and menthane, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Highly toxic – ingestion of even small amounts has been known to cause death. Carcinogen. Irritant. Abortifacient.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None. ‘Should not be used in therapy, whether internally or externally.’.

OTHER USES: Sassafras oil and crude are banned from food use; safrol-free extract is used to a limited extent in flavouring work. Safrol is used as a starting material for the fragrance item ‘heliotropin’.... sassafras