Sweetgrass

The Sweetgrass plant (sometimes called buffalo grass or vanilla grass), is a herb native to Eurasia and North America. Sweetgrass has been used for centuries by Indigenous cultures in both Canada and the United States for ceremonial purposes and is considered a sacred herb.  

The three cords of the sweetgrass braid represent mind, body and spirit. There are typically seven strands of grass per cord. The first seven strands represent the seven generations behind us including our parents, grandparents, etc.; the next seven represent the seven sacred teachings of love, humility, truth, respect, honesty, courage and wisdom; the final seven strands represent the seven generations that will come after us. All in all, sweetgrass is a plant medicine that represents strength and resilience in both family and the community and their connection with Mother Earth.