Contents
Some brooms are made with the fibrous roots of couch grass, which some peasants regard as a weed. However, couch grass performs the most efficient sweeping in the blood and the kidneys.
Couch Grass Scientific Facts
- Scientific synonyms: Triticum repens L.
- Other names: Witch grass, cutch, dog grass, durfa grass, quack grass, quick grass, Triticum.
- French: Chendent.
- Spanish: Grama de las boticas.
- Environment: Spread worldwide on farmed and unfarmed lands.
- Description: This is a vibrant plant of the Graminaceae family, growing from 40 to 100 cm high. It has large creeping rhizomes with knots from which small roots grow.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally: The rhizome.
Healing Properties and Uses
The rhizome of this plant contains a gummy substance, triticene, and an antibiotic, potassium, silicon, and several sugars. It has diuretic, antiseptic, and emollient properties. Hence, it is used in the following ways:
- Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory for cystitis, urethritis, and urinary infections in general.
- Diuretic and depurative for kidney stones, gout, arthritis, and cellulitis.
- Sudorific for infectious diseases with fever (influenza, cold, measles, scarlet fever, etc.).
Sage
Red sage, sometimes called German Sarsaparilla, is a 20- to 50-cm-high plant that grows in sandy soils of North America and central and northern Europe. Its rhizome is mainly used because of its diuretic and sudorific properties. Prepare an infusion with 10-20 grams of rhizome per liter of water and drink three cups per day before meals.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass has many common names. The list is too large to mention here, and many of these names are curious and funny. In tropical and subtropical areas of America, Bermuda grass is widely farmed for forage, lawn, or soil improvement. It has a thicker rhizome than couch grass; however, its chemical composition and medicinal properties are very similar.
How to use Couch Grass
- Decoction with 30-40 grams of dry rhizome per liter of water. Boil for 10 minutes. Drink from two to four cups a day.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 559. Print.
- https://www.herbcottage.com.au/products/dried-couch-grass
- https://www.drugs.com/npp/couch-grass.html