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 | Dog Grass Other Names:
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Description: |
| Dog Grass Root is also known by the names Witch Grass, Couch Grass, and Twitch Grass. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the rhizome, root, and seeds. The plant is a native of Europe, Asia and North America. The genus name is derived from "agros", meaning "field", and "puros", meaning "wheat". Dog Grass Root is recommended as a support treatment for gout. Dog Grass Root was an official plant in the Indian and Colonial Addendum of the British Pharmacopoeia for use in the Australasian, Eastern and North American Colonies, where it was much employed. Dog Grass Root may be used effectively in urinary infections such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Its demulcent properties help soothe irritation and inflammation. It is also useful in the treatment of enlarged prostate glands. Dog Grass Root may also be used in cases of kidney stones and gravel. As a tonic diuretic, Dog Grass Root has been used with other herbs in the treatment of rheumatism. For urinary tract infections, this herb has been used effectively with Buchu Leaf, Bearberry, and Yarrow. It has also been combined with Hydrangea for the treatment of prostate problems. Juice from the root has been used to treat jaundice and liver ailments - its high mucilage content makes it soothing to mucus membranes. Eczema is also aided by the use of Dog Grass Root. |
Ancient Lore: |
DOG'S GRASS ELYMUS (= AGROPYRUM) RFPENS
Watch the dogs when they are sick and they will quickly lead you to it ... and although a gardener be of another opinion, yet a physician holds that an acre (o.4 hectare) of them be worth five acres (1.6 hectares) of Carrots twice told over.
Grasses provide food as cereals, as well as medicines. This is better known as Couchgrass, or Twitch, and formerly had the botanical name of Triticum repens. It has a creeping underground stern with small fibres at every joint and is very sweet to taste.
Where to find it: It grows in fields and on waste ground and is a menace to the farmer as it prefers ploughed ground.
Flowering time: Early summer to early autumn.
Astrology: It is under the dominion of Jupiter.
Medicinal virtues: The roots boiled and drunk openeth obstructions of the liver and gall, and the stopping of the urine. It easeth griping pains in the belly and inflammations. The seed expels the urine more powerfully, and stayeth laxes and vomiting. The distilled water alone, or with a little worrn-seed, killeth worms in children.
The way to use it is to bruise the roots and, having well boiled them in wine, drink the decoction. It is opening, but not purging, very safe.
Modern uses: A popular and widely used herb in modern medical practice. It increases production of urine, but it is also soothing to the urinary tract. It contains an antibiotic substance and these properties together make it an ideal remedy for cystitis or other inflammatory disease of the urinary tract. It has also been found helpful to those with gout or rheumatism.
A decoction using about 1 oz (28 g) of the root to 11/2 Pt (852 ml) of water and boiling down to 1 Pt (568 ml), can be taken in doses from 1/2.-2 fl oz (1 4~56 ml), depending on the severity of the disease. The tincture or fluid extract is available from herbalists. |
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