Sweetgrass
Hierochloe odorataA sweetgrass braid is seen as “Mother Earth’s hair”; its three strands stand for mind, body and spirit.
What is Sweetgrass?
Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) is a plant of the Poaceae family. Traditions that use it: North America. Part used: leaves.
What is Sweetgrass used for?
Traditional use: For the Anishinaabe and many Plains peoples it is one of the four sacred medicines; it is braided and dried, and its tip is burned with prayer to call in good spirits. Scientific evidence: traditional. Its sweet, vanilla-like scent comes from coumarin.
Is Sweetgrass safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Safe as incense; avoid breathing the smoke in closed, unventilated rooms. Because it contains coumarin, it is not eaten.
Traditional use
For the Anishinaabe and many Plains peoples it is one of the four sacred medicines; it is braided and dried, and its tip is burned with prayer to call in good spirits. It is used in basketry.
As “holy grass” it was strewn before church doors and hung in homes at feasts.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) in Turkish meadows is a relative and smells similar.
Preparation
The leaves are braided into three strands and dried; the tip is lit and the flame put out to use the smoke.
What science says
Its sweet, vanilla-like scent comes from coumarin. There is almost no scientific research on medicinal use.
Safety
Safe as incense; avoid breathing the smoke in closed, unventilated rooms. Because it contains coumarin, it is not eaten.
Conservation
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchHierochloe odorata (tatlı ot): Kuzey Amerika Yerli Bitkiler Derneği
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Anthoxanthum nitens
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe