Couchgrass

(Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv., Gramineae)

Also called: Quick-grass, Twitch-grass.

Description: Widespread perennial weed. Branching yellowish-white rhizome, 1-3mm (0.03-0•1 in) in diameter with fine tufts of rootlets.
Stems always erect, usually glabrous.
Leaves bright-green or greyish, rarely wider than 15mm (0.6in).
Flowers and fruits on a zig-zag, notched axis enclosed in a loose, flattened sheath.
Taste of rhizome: slightly sweet.

Part Used: Dried rhizome.

Habitat and Collection: Widespread throughout Europe, abundant in Britain and difficult to eradicate, in fields and waste places.
Collected in spring (during work in the fields) or in autumn and dried in the shade after carefully washing the rhizomes.

Constituents and Action: Triticin, a carbohydrate allied to starch;.salts of potassium; small amount of volatile oil with antibiotic properties; possibly a saponin.
Action not well defined, used as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic.

Usage: Principally in the form of a decoction of the chopped rhizomes (pour 1 litre (1.75pt) of cold water on 1-2 tablespoonfuls of chopped rhizome, boil for 10 minutes, allow to infuse for half an hour; at times the decoction is evaporated down to half volume but this destroys some of the active constituents).
Used for the treatment of inflammation of kidneys and bladder, skin eruptions and rheumatic complaints.