Sassafras albidum was a well-used plant by Native Americans in what is now the southeastern United States prior to the European colonization. The Choctaw word for sassafras is “Kvfi.” It was known as “Winauk” in Delaware and Virginia and is called “Pauane” by the Timuca.
Some Native American tribes used the leaves of sassafras to treat wounds by rubbing the leaves directly into a wound, and used different parts of the plant for many medicinal purposes such as treating acne, urinary disorders, and sicknesses that increased body temperature, such as high fevers. They also used the bark as a dye, and as a flavoring.–Wikipedia
Gray Coale and Sassafras Albidum at Swan Point
love the plant and the info. “legend” is a good description of Columbus smelling it, since I don’t think he stepped foot on North American soil– just Central and South America. Or maybe he did smell it, and didn’t like it, which is why he did not land? I see another legend in the works!