Poaceae
Deer’s Tongue
Dichanthelium clandestinum
⚠ Use with Caution
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Eastern North America
Also known as: Hairy Joint Grass, Deer Tongue Grass, Wild Vanilla
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Coughs (antispasmodic — coumarin relaxes bronchial muscle), digestive complaints (carminative). Primarily used as tobacco flavouring and fragrance additive.
Herbal Actions
Antispasmodic, expectorant, narcotic (very mild — coumarin)
Active Constituents
Coumarin (primary — sweet vanilla odour), flavonoids, volatile oil
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1–2 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 10 min, 2x daily |
| Tincture | 1–3 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Pleasant vanilla-coumarin scent. Coumarin anticoagulant at very high doses — low therapeutic doses safe. Primarily used as pipe tobacco flavouring in traditional American tobacco blends. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Anticoagulants (coumarin content). Liver disease. Avoid in pregnancy. Short courses.
Side Effects: Coumarin hepatotoxicity (large amounts). Anticoagulant effects. Generally safe low doses.