Omnia SanaCommon names in 22 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 2 pharmacological actions, 7 traditional / indicated uses, with 9 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Persistent, mat-forming perennial grass spreading rapidly by long, tough, jointed, creeping white rhizomes just below the soil surface. The leaves are flat, narrow and grass-like, greyish-green, rough on the upper surface. Slender flowering spikes bear flattened spikelets typical of a wild grass.[7]
Habitat & Distribution
A common and persistent weed of cultivated ground, gardens, roadsides and waste places worldwide; native to Europe and temperate Asia and widely naturalised elsewhere.[7]
Harvesting
The rhizome is dug up, most easily in spring or autumn, then washed free of soil, cut into pieces and dried; because the plant spreads aggressively, harvesting is also a practical means of garden control.[7]
Key Constituents
Soothing, demulcent carbohydrates of the rhizome.
Antioxidant constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from demulcent action
Supports mild fluid retention / swelling
more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →
inferred from diuretic action
Diuretic irrigation of the urinary tract - adjuvant in minor urinary complaints (taken with plenty of fluids)
more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →
Traditional Use & History
Couch grass rhizome has a long European folk and official (EU herbal monograph) use as a soothing diuretic 'irrigation' remedy for minor urinary tract complaints, taken with plenty of fluids to increase urine flow and help flush the urinary tract.[7]
Preparations
Dried, chopped rhizome simmered in water as a traditional diuretic 'irrigation' preparation, taken with plenty of additional fluids.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph describes traditional use of about 6-9 g dried rhizome daily as a decoction, taken with plenty of fluids; not to be used if oedema is due to impaired heart or kidney function. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Drink plenty of fluids during use. Irrigation therapy must NOT be used if there is oedema (swelling) due to impaired heart or kidney function.
Traditional use only; if urinary symptoms persist or are accompanied by fever, spasms or blood in the urine, seek medical care. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Harvest Readiness
[9]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Zhakipbekov, K.S., Serikbayeva, E.A., Tleubayeva, M.I. et al (2026) 'Elymus repens (L.) Gould: Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities and Therapeutic Potential with Future Perspectives', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(11), pp. 4928. doi:10.3390/ijms27114928 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114928 - Bortolami, M., Di Matteo, P., Rocco, D., Feroci, M. and Petrucci, R (2022) 'Metabolic Profile of Elymus repens (L.) P. Beauv. Rhizome Herbal Tea by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS Analysis', Molecules, 27(15), pp. 4962. doi:10.3390/molecules27154962 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154962 - Kasote, D.M., Jagtap, S.D., Thapa, D., Khyade, M.S. and Russell, W.R (2017) 'Herbal remedies for urinary stones used in India and China: A review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 203, pp. 55-68. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.038 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.038 - Grases, F., Ramis, M., Costa-Bauza, A. and March, J.G (1995) 'Effect of Herniaria hirsuta and Agropyron repens on calcium oxalate urolithiasis risk in rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 45(3), pp. 211-214. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(94)01218-o Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(94)01218-o - Spies, T., Praznik, W., Hofinger, A., Altmann, F., Nitsch, E. and Wutka, R (1992) 'The structure of the fructan sinistrin from Urginea maritima', Carbohydrate Research, 235, pp. 221-230. doi:10.1016/0008-6215(92)80090-n Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-6215(92)80090-n - Lans, C., Turner, N., Khan, T. and Brauer, G (2007) 'Ethnoveterinary medicines used to treat endoparasites and stomach problems in pigs and pets in British Columbia, Canada', Veterinary Parasitology, 148(3-4), pp. 325-340. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.014 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.014 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2022) 'European Union herbal monograph on Agropyron repens (L.) P. Beauv., rhizoma (Agropyri repentis rhizoma)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/agropyri-repentis-rhizoma Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/agropyri-repentis-rhizoma - ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Graminis Rhizoma (Couch Grass Rhizome) monograph', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/downloads/graminis/ Traditional / reference
https://www.escop.com/downloads/graminis/ - Plants For A Future 'Elymus repens (Couch Grass, Quackgrass)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elymus+repens Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elymus+repens
Selected studies & references
All 8 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.