Medicinal Monday...Sweet Mountain Cicely

Sweet Mountain Cicely commonly called sweetroot is widely used among Native American communities medicinally and as a source of food. It even has several interesting veterinary applications.  Sweet Mountain Cicely is found in the boreal zones of North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and extends as far south as South Dakota and west to the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest. It is also found in northern New England but does not grow in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts. In South America, it is found in the forests of Argentina and Chile.

About Sweet Mountain Cicely

This is an aromatic perennial herb, that is in the parsley family. It produces a branching stem that can grow over a foot high. The roots of this plant are massive and grow deep in the ground. All parts of the roots are edible and have a sweet taste. The bright green leaves are plentiful and are divided into three-lobed leaflets that unfurl up to three inches in length. The plume of foliage resembles ferns. When in flower Sweet Mountain Cicely can grow up to three feet tall, but most of the time it is low and close to the ground. It prefers well-drained soil and shade. The umbel flower cluster is made up of many tiny white flowers at the tip of the stem. The narrow, elongated fruit is ribbed and bristly. This plant is insect-pollinated with its seeds distributed by animals.  

Medicinal Uses

The Blackfoot and Ojibwa make a hot tea from the roots and took it to treat colds and sore throats. The Cheyenne chewed the roots as a stimulant and to treat colds. They use an infusion of pulverized leaves and stems to treat bloated stomachs and kidney trouble. The Karok chewed the roots for headaches and would place them under a pillow to prevent sickness. They would also use an infusion of roots in a bath for a person that was grieving. The Kwakiutl use the seeds and roots as an emetic. The Kawalisu use the roots to treat colds and mash the entire plant and use it as a wash to treat fleas. The Chippewa make a decoction of the root and would gargle with it to treat sore throats. They also make a poultice from the root and use it to treat ulcers. The Menominee and the Meskwaki make a decoction of the root and use it as an eyewash for sore eyes. 

Veterinary Uses

The Blackfoot put the roots in the mouth of a mare to keep her in good condition for foaling. The Chippewa use a decoction of the roots as a nostril wash for dogs to increase their sense of smell. The Meskwaki grate the root of this plant and mix it with salt to treat distemper in horses. The Omaha use the root to attract horses so that they could catch them.  The horses are fond of the root and when the roots were held out to them, they would come running making them easy to catch.

Food and Love Medicine Uses

The Karaok, Miwok, Okanagan, Thompson, and many other Native American communities would eat the young tops of this plant as greens. Many would also use the thick aromatic roots as part of their diet. The Isleta boiled the roots and stems to make a pleasant-tasting beverage.

When the Karaok saw this plant where they had never seen it growing before, they considered it a good luck charm. The Swinomish chewed the roots because they believed they were a powerful love charm. 

Did You Know...

Sweet Mountain Cicely is used in butterfly gardens.

Young seedpods taste like Good and Plenty candy.

This plant looks a bit like its cousins the poison and water hemlocks.

Sweet Mountain Cicely is rich in nectar and attracts honeybees.