COUCHGRASS

Latin Name: Agropyron repens

Alternate Names: Dog Grass, Witch Grass, Twitchgrass

Family: POACEAE

Parts Used: Rhizome, root, seeds.

Properties: Antibacterial, Aperient, Demulcent, Diuretic, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Cystitis, Gout, Kidney Stones, Prostatitis, Rheumatism, Urethritis, Urinary Infections, Venereal Disease

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules. 

Juice from the root has been used to treat jaundice and liver ailments. Its high mucilage content makes it soothing to mucus membranes. 

Culinary uses: The plant has been ground into a flour. The roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Energetics: Sweet, Cool.

Chemical Constituents: Tritican (a carbohydrate), glucose, mannitol, inositol, mucilage, silica, carbohydrates, potassium, zinc, B vitamins.

Comments: Couchgrass is also called Dog Grass because dogs will eat it as an emetic when they are sick. The genus name is derived from agros, meaning 'field', and puros, meaning 'wheat'. The rhizomes are used as cattle fodder. Though it is considered an invasive weed, Couchgrass helps prevent soil erosion. It is a native of Eurasia and North America. 

The species Agropyron repens was formerly named Triticum repens.