Couchgrass
No image for this plant.
Botanical name: Elytrigia repens
Family: Grass (Graminae)
Collectability: plentiful, common, widespread, good, invasive weed
Main benefit
urinary tract, prostate gland, skin
source of protein, vitamins and minerals
Use - overview
Whole plant
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: cosmopolitan
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Other: patch forming, invasive
General
Growth type: spreading ground cover
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 60cm
Leaf
Shape: long narrow blades
Root
Type: creeping rhizome
Flower
Arrangement: spikes
When: June to September
Colour:
Seed
Other: ears
Type: cosmopolitan
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Other: patch forming, invasive
General
Growth type: spreading ground cover
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 60cm
LeafShape: long narrow blades
RootType: creeping rhizome
FlowerArrangement: spikes
When: June to September
Colour:
SeedOther: ears
Caution Notes
Contact with plant may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
When Available?
all year March to May, September and October - best March to May August and September
Culinary Use
Medicinal Use
Action:
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, aperient, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, lithontripic, tonic, vermifuge
May treat:
kidney, liver and urinary disorders, including. cystitis, urethritis, kidney stones; prostate, gastro-intestinal inflammation, skin eruptions, swollen limbs, chronic catarrh
helps to eliminate and prevent kidney stones, and detox a sluggish system
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, aperient, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, lithontripic, tonic, vermifuge May treat:
kidney, liver and urinary disorders, including. cystitis, urethritis, kidney stones; prostate, gastro-intestinal inflammation, skin eruptions, swollen limbs, chronic catarrh helps to eliminate and prevent kidney stones, and detox a sluggish system
Other Use
Whole plant: liquid plant feed (macerated)
grey dye
grey dye
Collection, Storing and Notes
Collection
best gathered spring and autumn
Drying
wash well, dry in the sun or low oven/dehydrator
Note
may need alternating temperatures to sprout, making it impractical
best gathered spring and autumnDrying
wash well, dry in the sun or low oven/dehydratorNote
may need alternating temperatures to sprout, making it impractical
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedUse:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
General Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- cosmopolitan: belonging to many or all parts of the world
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
- antimicrobial: helps the body destroy or resist pathogens (see also antibacterial and antiseptic)
- aperient: mild laxative
- demulcent: rich in mucilage, soothes or protects irritated or inflamed tissue (especially mucousa)
- diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
- emollient: applied to the skin softens, soothes, protects (externally, as demulcents do internally)
- lithontripic: helps prevent and removes stones from kidneys, bladder etc.
- tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
- vermifuge: expels worms from the body (see also anthelmintic)
