Sassafras root bark. Anyone try chewing it? Results?

I pulled some Sassafras plants for the root bark yesterday to make root beer and I chewed and tasted segments of it to see where the flavor was at. Some had more (or better) flavor than other pieces.

The more aromatic/flavorful pieces almost burn my mouth a little and definitely numbed my gums, lips, etc. It was about as strong or stronger than Oragel oral anesthetic.

The fresh root beer was great, but I kind of wonder what effects this has on internals if it's doing this to just my mouth.

I have experienced that with my own sassafras root, and I worry about it about as much as the burn from hot peppers. I assume it's the volatile safrole oil causing that. Eating a hop cone produces a similar effect, but I really wouldn't recommend doing it.