Couchgrass, Elymus repens
Herbal Remedy to Treat Cystitis and Urethritis
Couch grass has a bad reputation as an invasive and persistent perennial weed; however it may be used to treat disorders disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract .
Couch grass (Elymus repens, synonym Agropyron repens), also known as Dogs Grass, Quack grass or Twitch, is widely distributed in North America, Europe, North Africa and North Asia. It is found growing wild in weedy gardens and fields, particularly those with a clay soil. The fleshy white roots are spearlike with regular nodes of small rootlets every few centimeters. The roots can spread underground many tens of centimeters, and the bright green leaves may reach up to a meter in height.
It is not easy to find a couch grass enthusiast amongst gardeners as it has a bad reputation as an invasive and persistent perennial weed; in the past, however, couch grass was widely used as an herbal remedy to treat disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract such as cystitis and urethritis (infection and inflammation of the urethra).
Clinical studies
Scientific studies have shown that couch grass has diuretic and sedative effects in rats and mice, but there is a lack of clinical research assessing the medical effects of couch grass in humans. The Council of Europe classifies it as suitable for addition to foodstuffs in small quantities; indeed the French still do regularly make a tisane of couch grass root. In the past the dried, ground roots of couch grass have been added to bread dough, and it is still used today as fodder for livestock.
How to prepare couch grass herbal remedy yourself
To collect and prepare couch grass yourself, dig up the long roots in spring or early fall and wash them well. Cut out the thick sections of root between the nodes of rootlets. Dry these sections of root and store in an airtight container.
The easiest way to use couch grass as a herbal remedy is to prepare a decoction of the herb; gently simmer the dried root in water (do not boil hard) for thirty minutes, strain and discard the boiled roots. Take 4-8 grams of the dried root prepared in this way three times daily.
This pale straw colored fluid has a rather bland, but not unpleasant, taste.
Given the lack of scientific studies in humans, avoid using couch grass during pregnancy and lactation.
Couch grass in commercial herbal preparations Couch grass is included in many herbal preparations, such as “Femmeherb Cystaid” treatment for cystitis and “Napiers Uva Ursi Tea” for urinary tract infections or an irritable bladder. These are blends of several herbs including couch grass so be sure to read any warnings on these commercial treatments that include couch grass.
Although the scientific evidence today is inconclusive, Culpeper was in no doubt over the virtues of couch grass:
“although a gardener be of another opinion, … a physician holds half an acre of [couch grass] to be worth five acres of Carrots twice told over” Culpeper, The Complete Herbal, 1652
