Couch grass (elymus repens)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Other names for this ingredient

None

Synopsis of couch grass

Couch grass (Elymus repens, formerly Agropyron repens), also known as quackgrass, twitch grass, dog grass, or witchgrass, is a hardy, creeping perennial grass found across Europe, North America, and Asia. Though often considered a persistent weed in agriculture, its rhizomes (underground stems) have a long history of medicinal use, particularly in urinary and detoxification support.

Couch grass rhizomes contain a range of beneficial compounds, including mucilage, polysaccharides (notably triticin), volatile oils, silica, and potassium salts. These constituents give couch grass its main therapeutic actions: soothing, diuretic, demulcent, and mild antimicrobial.

Couch grass is primarily used in herbal medicine to:

  • Support urinary tract health, especially in cases of cystitis, urethritis, and prostatitis
  • Soothe irritated mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra
  • Promote diuresis (urine flow) and flush out toxins or pathogens
  • Assist with urinary gravel, kidney stones, and sluggish elimination
  • Provide gentle liver and lymphatic detoxification

Its demulcent (mucus-soothing) properties help protect irritated tissues, while its mild antimicrobial action aids in reducing infection risk. It is generally considered safe and gentle, making it suitable for both acute infections and chronic irritation of the urinary tract.

Couch grass is most commonly prepared as a decoction or infusion, but is also available as tincture or powdered extract in urinary support formulas. It is often paired with herbs like cornsilk, marshmallow root, uva ursi, or dandelion leaf for broader genitourinary support.

Historical Use
Couch grass has been used in European folk medicine for centuries, particularly as a kidney and bladder remedy. The Greek physician Dioscorides mentioned its use for promoting urination and relieving obstruction. In medieval European herbalism, couch grass was prescribed for urinary gravel, kidney ailments, and as a general cleansing herb.

In 19th-century Western herbalism, it was highly regarded by Eclectic physicians in the U.S. as a reliable diuretic and demulcent, particularly useful in catarrhal cystitis, chronic urethral irritation, and prostatitis. Herbalists used it to relieve burning urination, increase urine flow, and expel small kidney stones or gravel. It was also occasionally used for rheumatism and skin conditions, especially those related to toxin accumulation.

In traditional German and British herbal medicine, couch grass tea was a go-to remedy for urinary and hepatic cleansing, and sometimes used in cases of dropsy (edema) and urinary retention. The herb was so well known for its kidney-cleansing abilities that it became a common component in "spring tonics" aimed at flushing out winter stagnation.

Though largely forgotten in mainstream medicine today, couch grass remains a trusted herb in modern Western herbalism, particularly for its soothing effect on the urinary tract and gentle detoxifying properties.

Couch grass is used for these health conditions

Bladder Infection (Traditional)
Blood in Urine (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Diabetes (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed) (Traditional)
Kidney Infection (Traditional)
Kidney Stones (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)

couch grass is used to support these body systems

Bladder (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)