Sweetgrass - Large

Sweetgrass
Wačháŋǧa

A sweet-smelling, long grass used ceremoniously for incense offerings and smudging. It is believed the smell attracts good spirits and was also used for giving fragrance to clothes. Identified as Hierochloe odorata by Fr. Buechel in the 1920’s.

To use: Ignite end of braid with a flame, once the braid starts smoking you can remove the flame. Fan the smoke produced over the area/people/items (an action called “smudging”) desired. Braid should self-extinguish or can be put out by lightly tapping against ground or a non-flammable surface.