Witnessed by: Western
Couch grass (Elymus repens), of the Poaceae family. Coarse perennial grass spreading by long white jointed underground runners; native range: fields, gardens and waste ground throughout Europe and naturalised worldwide. Globally recognized as twitch, quick-grass, dog-grass, scutch in English. The part used is rhizome. Slender straw-coloured rhizome, sweetish and mucilaginous, faintly reminiscent of liquorice.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
COUCH GRASS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- couch grass
- Scientific name
- Elymus repens (L.) Gould
- Family
- Poaceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- sweet · mucilaginous
Temperature
- Western
- cool (and moistening)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- kidneys · bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- demulcent, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, anti-inflammatory
Cautions
- Contraindications
- none of note; ensure adequate fluid intake with its diuretic use
- Toxicity
- regarded as a safe and food-like remedy
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