Safrole

Safrole is a colorless or slightly yellow oily liquid. It is typically extracted from sassafras plants in the form of sassafras oil, or synthesized from other related methylenedioxy compounds. It is one of the ten essential oils, and has a characteristic "candy-shop" aroma.

Safrole was once widely used as a food additive in root beer, sassafras tea, and other common goods. However, the FDA barred the use of safrole after it was shown to be mildly carcinogenic.

Today, safrole is used for making soap and perfumes, aromatheraputic agents, and the insecticide heliotropin (piperonal). More recently, safrole has been used as the main precursor for the clandestine manufacture of MDMA (Ecstasy) and MDEA (Eve).

It is nearly impossible to obtain large quantities of safrole and/or sassafras oil without arousing the suspicion of law enforcement.