The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLOOD THINNER--SPRING TONIC

IN THE SPRING FOLKS WENT TO THE WOODS AND GATHERED THE ROOT
OF THE RED SASSAFRAS. IT WAS USED AS A SPRING TONIC TO THIN
YOUR BLOOD. MAYBE IT WAS A TONIC, BUT MOST FAMILIES HAD A
POT OF IT ON THE SUPPER TABLE. THE POT WAS USUALLY EMPTY.
IF IT WASN'T EMPTY THE REMAINING TEA WAS REBOILED AND WAS
BETTER THAN BEFORE. SASSAFRAS TEA AND CRACKLING BREAD WERE
PRESCRIBED BY THE HOME DOCTOR WHO WAS ALSO THE NURSE--THE
MOTHER.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE