Couch Grass Root

COMMON NAME

Standardized: couch grass
Other: dog grass, graminis, quack grass, triticum, twitch grass

BOTANICAL NAME

Elymus repens (L.) Gould
Plant Family: Poaceae

OVERVIEW

Famous herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote that "although a gardener may be of another opinion, a physician holds that a 1/2 acre of dog grass to be worth 5 acres of carrots twice told over." Dog grass is an invasive grass that grows well in regions with warm summers and cool or cold, damp winters. Its name is derived from the simple fact that dogs will eat the grass when they are sick to induce vomiting and cool the blood. You should not grow dog grass in your herb garden unless you are able to keep it well contained.

PARTS USED

Rhizome, roots, stems, dried and cut.

TYPICAL PREPARATIONS

Taken internally as a tea and also used for baths and irrigation therapy. To make the tea, put 2 teaspoons of the cut rhizome in a cup of water, bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Typically used with some combination of buchu, corn silk, hydrangea, uva ursi (bearberry), yarrow, and/or cranberries or cranberry juice. Can also be administered as a capsule or extract.

PRECAUTIONS

Specific: No known precautions.
General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.