Sassywood is an ancient West African form of trial by ordeal. Although it has been outlawed due to human rights concerns, it remains in sporadic use in Liberia.[1][2] In sassywood, the necessary ordeal can take on many different forms. The principal one involves the drinking of a poisonous concoction made from the bark of the "Ordeal Tree", or erythrophleum suaveolens.[1][2] Another involves the rubbing of a red-hot machete on the legs of the suspect,[3] while a third involves dipping the suspect's hand into hot oil.[4][5]