Lesson Five

Rat Roots

Lesson Objectives

• For students to gain a strong understanding of the herb “Rat Root”
• To increase student awareness of the powers and properties of other herbs
• For students to feel comfortable holding intellectual conversations surrounding the plants covered in today’s lesson

Rat Root is also known as Acorus calamus, but Rat Root is the Canadian Cree name for the plant. It also goes by sea sledge, flag root, myrtle grass, sweet rush, Gladdon, and Beewort. Rat Root is abortifacient (causes abortions). Some other qualities are Anodyne (relives pain), Anthelmintic, Aphrodisiac (used in some love potions), Carminative, Counters the side effects of hallucinogens, Diuretic, Hallucinogen, Laxative, Otalgic (cures ear aches) and Sedative. This plant has a sweet smell, and is used in floor coverings, and also in many forms of Healing. This herb is also used to help people after a stroke, in the recovery process. A seventeenth century Herbologist Nicholas Culpeper aided a lot into the studies of the uses, such as the fact that it is mild tonic. 

Rat Root is a water plant, and grows in moist soil. It is necessary to water the herb once every two or three days. Sunlight is also a huge must, and Rat Root grows best in shallow water, marshes, by the edge of a river, or in ponds. The seeds are ripe around July and August, and the herb flowers around May and July.