Elymus repens, also known as couch grass, scientific name Agropyrum repens, is a plant of the Gramineae family. The couch grass is considered an invasive weed and a problem for those who have a garden, however, in the herbal medicine field, from this plant we get a very useful remedy.
Cough grass mother tincture, uses and properties
In fact, the mother tincture obtained from the rhizome of cough grass is diuretic and antibiotic due to its content in essential oils, saponins, flavonoids, mucilages, minerals such as iron and potassium, agropyrene, considered a broad-spectrum antibiotic and antimycotic substance, and triticine, which contributes to confer a diuretic action (Al snafi, Research Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2015 - Edwards et al, Front Pharmacol, 2010). Therefore, given these characteristics, cough grass is suitable to be used in case of water retention and edema, cellulite, inflammation of the urinary tract and stones.
Couch grass mother tincture, what science says
These applications do not derive only from tradition but are also scientifically confirmed. In fact, based on a study published by a medical team of the Arezzo Hospital, Italy (Brardi et al, Arch Ital Urol Androl, Jun 2012), it emerged that the intake of potassium citrate and extracts of couch grass was more powerful to reduce the number and size of stones of the urinary tract in people compared to the intake of potassium citrate alone. In addition to this, extracts of couch grass have been found to help to counteract the adhesion to the bladder walls of Escherichia coli bacteria responsible for urinary tract infection. Moreover, in case of sensitive bladder and urinary tract infections, the intake of 50 drops of couch grass tincture three times a day for 12 days was able to attenuate up to 91% of the symptoms reported before treatment (Beydokthi et al , Phytotherapy, Mar 2017).
Couch grass tincture, where to find it and warnings
You can find the mother tincture of couch grass in herbal medicine, specialized shops and online. The dose is 40 drops 3 times a day, and, as reported in the literature (Al snafi, Research Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2015 - Edwards et al, Front Pharmacol, 2010) no side effects are reported at these doses. However, it is good to avoid prolonged treatments due to the diuretic effect that could cause low potassium levels in the blood. Not only that, the couch grass is also hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic, thus reducing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, so if you are being treated for diabetes or high cholesterol always ask your doctor for advice.
