Sweet Vernal Grass

Generic name: Anthoxanthum Odoratum L.
Brand names: Grass, Spring Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass

Usage of Sweet Vernal Grass

Animal data

An outbreak of hemorrhagic diathesis in cattle fed sweet vernal grass hay has been reported. This effect was later reproduced experimentally in calves fed the same hay.(Pritchard 1983) The poisoning was characterized by increased prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, with leukocyte and erythrocyte counts remaining in the normal range until terminal hemorrhage occurred. Symptoms included rapid onset of progressive weakness, mucosal pallor, stiff gait, tachypnea, tachycardia, and hematomata, quickly ending in death. Necropsy revealed no blood coagulation, but petechial, ecchymotic, and free hemorrhages were observed in most organs, including large ecchymotic hemorrhages on the peritoneal rumen surface. Each kidney was enveloped by a bloody gelatinous mass. In a second feeding trial to determine whether vitamins K1 and K3 were antidotal, oral administration of large quantities of vitamin K1 reduced the elevated prothrombin time; vitamin K3 acted less consistently. No trichothecene mycotoxins were found in the hay.

Based on warnings regarding use of natural sources of coumarin and dicoumarol and their known anticoagulant properties, use of A. odoratum for flavoring is discouraged. Because the plants have a high coumarin content, the FDA has banned use for flavoring purposes.(Leung 1996)

Clinical data

Grass pollen extracts are used as immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis caused by grass allergens.(Kleine-Tebbe 2014) A sublingual tablet containing an allergen extract of sweet vernal, orchard, perennial rye, and Kentucky blue grass (Oralair) is FDA-approved to treat allergic rhinitis caused by grass allergens.(Oralair October 2014)

Sweet Vernal Grass side effects

In cattle, ingestion of hay made from sweet vernal grass caused progressive weakness, stiff gait, breathing difficulties, and hemorrhage followed by quick death. This reaction, attributed to the dicoumarol content of the hay, suggests that human consumption can be dangerous.

In temperate areas of the world, pollen from sweet vernal grass causes allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma.Kleine-Tebbe 2014

Before taking Sweet Vernal Grass

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Sweet Vernal Grass

There is no clinical evidence to support specific dosing recommendations. Traditional use of sweet vernal grass was only external. Caution should be exercised because of the plant's high coumarin content; when the plant material is not dried properly, dicoumarol (a derivative of coumarin) may form, which can interfere with clotting.Alm 2015

Warnings

Beyond historical references to the use of sweet vernal grass as a flavoring agent, no pharmacological or toxicological studies are available.

What other drugs will affect Sweet Vernal Grass

None well documented.

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