Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) is a fragrant perennial grass recognized for its distinctive, vanilla-like scent, which comes from the chemical compound coumarin. It holds profound cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous North American tribes, who refer to it as wiingashk. Traditionally, the dried and often braided grass is used in ceremonies for purification, to attract positive energies, and to carry prayers to the spiritual realm. Purchasing this sacred herb requires understanding both practical availability and the responsibility of ethical sourcing.
Authorized Online and Local Retailers
Sweetgrass is available for purchase in dried form, often braided, or as a live plant for cultivation. Reliable local sources for dried sweetgrass include specialized spiritual shops, reputable herbal apothecaries, and stores focusing on Indigenous arts and crafts. Native American cultural centers or trading posts may also offer sweetgrass, but buyers should verify the material’s source.
Online marketplaces and specialized herb suppliers provide another avenue for purchasing both dried sweetgrass and live plants. When buying online, look for vendors who specifically deal in native or medicinal herbs, as they are more likely to understand the plant’s proper handling and sourcing. Some nurseries sell Hierochloe odorata plants, which can be grown in hardiness zones 3 through 9, allowing users to cultivate their own supply.
If opting to grow sweetgrass, look for nurseries specializing in native plants, as they often provide strains that are well-adapted to local ecoregions. Sweetgrass spreads by underground rhizomes and requires moist soil and full to partial sun, meaning it can be somewhat aggressive in a garden setting. Purchasing live plants allows for a personal, sustainable supply, though it may take a year or two to establish before significant harvesting is possible.
Ethical Sourcing and Sustainability
Purchasing sweetgrass is linked to the ethics of its harvest, given its sacred status and frequent wild-harvesting. Indigenous teachings emphasize a reciprocal relationship with the plant, known as the Honorable Harvest. This code dictates taking only what is needed, never taking the first plant found, and using everything that is gathered.
When purchasing, look for vendors who explicitly detail their sourcing practices, especially those who partner directly with, or are owned by, Indigenous communities. Businesses that emphasize Indigenous stewardship and sustainable cultivation support the plant’s cultural context. Non-regulated wild harvesting can endanger the plant’s population, which already faces threats from invasive species.
Asking a seller about their harvesting methods—cultivated, ethically wild-harvested, or sourced from Indigenous growers—is a way to practice informed consumption. Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses ensures that financial benefits return to the communities holding traditional knowledge. Choosing ethically sourced sweetgrass honors both the plant and its associated traditions.
Alternatives to Purchasing Sweetgrass
If sweetgrass is unavailable, or if a buyer prefers a readily cultivated alternative, other aromatic herbs and woods are used in similar contexts. These alternatives offer similar benefits in terms of space clearing and aromatic use but may be easier to source sustainably or to grow in a personal herb garden.
Aromatic Alternatives
- Cedar, an evergreen, is frequently used traditionally by Indigenous tribes for purification and to promote stability and grounding. It possesses a strong, earthy aroma that differs from the vanilla notes of sweetgrass.
- Sage is a common alternative, though buyers should be aware that white sage (Salvia apiana) faces sustainability and cultural concerns. Other varieties, such as garden sage, clary sage, or black sage, are abundant and can be used for smoke cleansing.
- Lavender has a sweet and floral aroma and is often used to clear negative energy and promote relaxation.
- Rosemary is an excellent substitute, known for its pleasant aroma and cleansing properties.
- Utilizing sound cleansing with instruments like singing bowls or chimes is a non-smoke alternative for clearing stagnant energy.