Having had great success with obtaining Sassafras Oil from the Steam Distillation of Sassy root bark, I decided to take the experiment a step further. Having reviewed the existing methods of Sassafras Oil purification, i.e. freezing and high temperature vacuum distillation, I decided that neither was something I wanted to use. So instead I made a Steam Distillation set up:
A 2 liter 24/40 2 neck flat bottom flask and Hot Plate as the Steam Generator. Into one neck was inserted approx. 2 1/2 feet of 1/2 inch I.D. high temp. rubber hose that in fact came off of a Rug Steamer I found in the trash! I put a glass stopper in the other neck as a safety valve. Filled with H2O. The hose fit real snug in the 24/40 neck, but was duct taped in anyway. Hose was wrapped/insulated with that plumbers foil backed insulation they solder on. Other end of hose was inserted into another 24/40 2 neck flask so that the hose was about 1/2" from the bottom, and duct taped in. In other neck was inserted still head/condenser, vacuum adapter, and RB receiving flask glass. Mag stirrer under this flask. Raw golden/brownish sassy oil was put into this flask, and hot plate under Steam Generator fired up on high. Soon clear H2O and nice water white sassy oil/safrole were pouring into the receiving flask! The oil collects on the bottom of the H2O. I haven't had this oil analyzed yet, but I suspect that its mostly pure Safrole.
If they drive God from the earth, we shall shelter Him underground - Dostoevsky