Couch grass, known scientifically as Elymus repens as well as Agropyron repens, is an herb with several health benefits. These include benefits to the urinary tract, the kidneys, being an antioxidant and aiding in digestive health.
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| Couch Grass is known for its UTI effects |
What is Couch Grass?
The Elymus repens plant is a relative of barley, albeit a wild version. It is often considered a weed in agricultural and landscaping settings.
Couch grass has long, creeping rhizomes (underground stems) and narrow leaves with rough edges. It produces spiked flowers in the summer months.
Couch grass has long, narrow leaves with rough edges and a dense, fibrous root system. It can grow in various habitats, including grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas.
It's a perennial grass that grows in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. Couch grass has been used in traditional medicines globally for its medicinal properties.
Couch grass is a perennial medicinal herb growing widespread in temperate regions across Europe, Asia, and North America. It is often considered a weed because of its invasive nature. This hasn’t stopped it from being utilized in traditional medicines around the world for its medicinal properties.
Primary Compounds in Couch Grass
The primary compounds found in Agropyron repens include triticin mucilage, polysaccharides, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and silica. It also contains a host of minerals.
Couch Grass in Traditional Medicine
European Traditional Medicine
In Europe, couch grass has been used traditionally to treat urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and inflammatory conditions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Couch grass is utilized in TCM for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, often combined with other herbs in formulations for urinary disorders.
Native American Medicine
Native American tribes used couch grass to treat various ailments, including urinary and digestive issues.
Known Health Benefits of Couch Grass
Urinary Tract Health
Couch grass has been used traditionally to support urinary tract health, treating conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis, and kidney stones. Research supports this as discussed below.
Diuretic
Couch grass is known for its diuretic effects, promoting the production and excretion of urine and helping to flush out toxins from the body.
Anti-inflammatory
Couch grass possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and urinary tract inflammation. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of conditions like urinary tract infections and arthritis.
Demulcent
The mucilage content in couch grass provides a soothing and protective coating for irritated tissues, making it useful for conditions like gastritis and sore throat.
Antimicrobial
Couch grass has antimicrobial properties that may help in combating certain infections, particularly in the urinary tract.
Digestive Aid
It has been used traditionally to improve digestion and relieve gastrointestinal discomfort. It may help soothe digestive issues like indigestion and gastritis.
Antioxidant
Couch grass contains antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
Research on Couch Grass
There hasn’t been a plethora of research done on couch grass, but the little that has been done confirms some of the uses from traditional medicines.
A 2012 Italian study of 50 patients with kidney stones tested couch grass and potassium citrate or potassium citrate alone. The study lasted five months. The research found the couch grass group had significantly fewer number of stones and a lower diameter of those stones they found. This is compared to the group that was given the potassium citrate alone.
The research also found a significant reduction of uric acid levels in their urine. The researchers concluded:
“This prospective randomized study demonstrates the superiority of the association of potassium citrate and dry extract of couch grass, in combination with standard pharmacological and dietary treatment, in reducing the number and size of urinary stones with respect to potassium citrate in association with the same pharmacological and dietary regimen.”
A 2017 study from Germany’s University of Münster found that couch grass significantly reduced bacteria infection of bladder cells. They found the compounds in couch grass prevented the adhesion ability of the bacteria. The researchers suggested this is why couch grass has traditionally been used for urinary tract infections.
A 2015 laboratory study showed that couch grass prevented calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney.
A 2013 study also showed that couch grass helped prevented adhesion of bacteria that takes place in UTIs.
These studies provide insights into the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of couch grass, highlighting its importance in herbal medicine practices worldwide.
How to Use Couch Grass
There are now several means for using couch grass herb. One of the easiest is couch grass tea. The dried root can be steeped in hot water for several minutes, until the water color turns brown.
Another way of using couch grass is to purchase an extract tincture of the root. Yet another is to use couch grass capsules. These are typically using the powder from the root.
Follow the suggested use serving sizes given on the label of these products.
Contact your health professional before using herbs to treat medical conditions.
Scientific References
Brardi S, Imperiali P, Cevenini G, Verdacchi T, Ponchietti R. Effects of the association of potassium citrate and agropyrum repens in renal stone treatment: results of a prospective randomized comparison with potassium citrate. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2012 Jun;84(2):61-7. PMID: 22908773.
Ballabh B, Chaurasia OP, Ahmed Z, Singh SB. Traditional medicinal plants of cold desert Ladakh-used against kidney and urinary disorders. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jul 23;118(2):331-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.04.022.
Radovanović K, Gavarić N, Aćimović M. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Plants from Serbian Traditional Medicine. Life (Basel). 2023 Mar 24;13(4):874. doi: 10.3390/life13040874.
Rafsanjany N, Lechtenberg M, Petereit F, Hensel A. Antiadhesion as a functional concept for protection against uropathogenic Escherichia coli: in vitro studies with traditionally used plants with antiadhesive activity against uropathognic Escherichia coli. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jan 30;145(2):591-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.035.
Christen AM, Seoane JR, Leroux GD. The nutritive value for sheep of quackgrass and timothy hays harvested at two stages of growth. J Anim Sci. 1990 Oct;68(10):3350-9. doi: 10.2527/1990.68103350x.
Koetter U, Kaloga M, Schilcher H. Isolation and Structure Elucidation of p-Hydroxycinnamic Acid Esters from the Rhizom of Agropyron repens, Part II. Planta Med. 1994 Oct;60(5):488-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-959547.
Grases F, Ramis M, Costa-Bauzá A, March JG. Effect of Herniaria hirsuta and Agropyron repens on calcium oxalate urolithiasis risk in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Mar;45(3):211-4. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(94)01218-o.
Beydokthi SS, Sendker J, Brandt S, Hensel A. Traditionally used medicinal plants against uncomplicated urinary tract infections: Hexadecyl coumaric acid ester from the rhizomes of Agropyron repens (L.) P. Beauv. with antiadhesive activity against uropathogenic E. coli. Fitoterapia. 2017 Mar;117:22-27. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2016.12.010.
Crescenti A, Puiggròs F, Colomé A, Poch JA, Caimari A, Bas J, Boqué N, Arola L. EFECTO ANTIUROLITIÁSICO DE UNA FORMULACIÓN DE LAS PLANTAS HERNIARA GLABRA, AGROPYRON REPENS, EQUISETUM ARVENSE, Y SAMBUCUS NIGRA (HERBENSURINA®) EN UN MODELO EXPERIMENTAL DE NEFROLITIASIS EN RATAS [Antiurolithiasic effect of a plant mixture of Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense and Sambucus nigra (Herbensurina®) in the prevention of experimentally induced nephrolithiasis in rats]. Arch Esp Urol. 2015 Dec;68(10):739-49.
Blumenthal, M., Goldberg, A., & Brinckmann, J. (Eds.). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications. 2000.
Yarnell, E., & Abascal, K. 2005. Herbal medicine for cystitis. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 2005 11(5), 228-234.