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  seminal trace...Couch Grass Extract,Couch grass rhizome extract.Triticum repens L.Couch Grass root Extract.Dog Grass root extract.10:1....

   Basic Botanical Info:

 Triticum repens (L)
 Botanical: Cynodon dactylon (PERS.),Agropyrum repens (BEAUV.)
 Latin name: Elymus repens
 Other names:Triticum repens, Cutch, Dog-grass, Durfa Grass, Quack Grass, Quick Grass, stargrass,Triticum, Twitch-grass, Witch Grass,Agropyron, Couch-Grass,Cutch, Dog-grass, Durfa Grass, Quack Grass, Quick Grass, Triticum, Twitch-grass, Witch Grass,Bai Mu Da,Bermudagrass,Ban Gen Cao,Pa Gen Cao,Pu Di Cao.
 French:Chien-dent. Pied-de-poule.
 Part Used:Rhizome. "The rhizome of Agropyrum repens (Linn¨¦), Beauvois, gathered in the spring and deprived of the roots":(U. S. P.) (Triticum repens, Linn¨¦).
 "The rhizome of Agropyrum repens (Linn¨¦), Beauvois, gathered in the spring and deprived of the roots"(U. S. P.) (Triticum repens, Linn¨¦).
 Common Names:Couch-grass, Quick-grass, Quitch, Quitch-grass, Quickens, Dog-grass.
 Synonyms: Agropyron repens (Beauvais), Rhizoma tritici, Radix graminis, dogs grass,Twitch-grass,Scotch Quelch,Quick-grass,Dog-grass,Triticum repens (Linn.), twitchgrass, twitch, triticum, scutch, witchgrass, quick grass, quack grass, cutch, Scotch quelch, durfa grass
 Order: Graminaceae
 Collection: The rhizome should be unearthed in spring or early autumn.


 Basic Botanical Info:
 Pland Description and Habitat:
 Botanical Source and History:
 Phytochemical and Constituents:
 Medical Uses and Actions:
 Administration and Application dosage:
 Research Update:Triticum repens(Cynodon dactylon,Bermudagrass)
 How search engine think about Bermudagrass


   Pland Description and Habitat:

 Couch grass has fascinating root and rhizoma,origin from africa, and widely spread allover the world.Triticum is a pervasive perennial grass growing up to 1.5m in height and found in Europe, Northern Asia, Australia and America.

 Couch-grass is widely diffused, being not only abundant in fields and waste places in Britain and on the Continent of Europe, but also in Northern Asia, Australia and North and South America. It was formerly known as Triticum repens, though now assigned to the genus Agropyrum.

 Among these the Couch-grass (Agropyrum repens) is pre-eminent, though anything but a favourite with the farmer, for it has a slender, creeping rhizome, or underground stem, which extends for a considerable distance just beneath the surface of the ground, giving off lateral branches occasionally, and marked at intervals of about an inch by nodes, from which leaf-buds and slender branching roots are produced. These long, creeping, subterranean stems increase with great rapidity, and the smallest piece left in the ground will vegetate and quickly extend itself, so that it is almost impossible to extirpate it when once established in the soil, while its exhaustive powers render it very injurious to the crops. Its very name, Couch, is supposed to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon, civice (vivacious), on account of its tenacity of life. It is said that the only way to extirpate it, is to lay the ground down in pasture for some years, when the Couch will soon be destroyed by the close-growing Grasses, for it flourishes only in loose soil.

 Cynodon dactylon (Pers.), a grass very common in the south of Europe and the warmer parts of Western Europe, also indigenous to Northern Africa as far as Abyssinia, affords the Gros Chien-dent or Chiendent and Pied-de-poule of the French. It is a rhizome differing from that of Couch-grass, in being a little stouter and in containing much starch, of which there is no trace in Couch-grass. Under the microscope it displays an entirely different structure, inasmuch as it contains a large number of much stronger fibrovascular bundles and a cellular tissue loaded with starch, and is, therefore, in appearance much more woody. It thus approximates to the rhizome of Carex arenaria (Linn.) which is as much used in Germany as that of Cynodon in France and Southern Europe. The latter appears to contain Asparagin, or a substance similar in composition to it.
 The herb of Hygrophila spinosa (Linn.) has been used for the same purpose as Couchgrass rhizome, and was formerly included in the Indian and Colonial Addendum to the British Pharmacopoeia. It contains much mucilage.

 Part Used:The rhizome, or underground stem, collected in the spring and freed from leaves and roots.

 Couch-grass rhizome is long, stiff, pale yellow and smooth, about 1/10 inch in diameter, hollow except at the nodes and strongly furrowed longitudinally, with five or six longitudinal ridges. Where the nodes occur, traces of rootlets may be found on the under surfaces and the fibrous remains of sheathing leaf-bases on the upper surfaces, but all traces of rootlets and leaves must be removed before use.

 As found in commerce, the rhizome is always free from rootlets, cut into short lengths of 1/8 to 1/4 inch and dried, being thus in the form of little shining, straw-coloured, many-edged tubular pieces, which are without odour, but have a sweet taste.

 

   Botanical Source and History:

 This perennial plant has a jointed, long, whitish rhizome, each joint giving off a tuft of fibrous radicles. The flowering spikes surmount the culm, which grows from 2 to 4 feet high. The spikes are from 4 to 8-flowered, and are 3 to 4 inches long. The florets are pointed or obtuse, variable, and generally awnless. It has flat, rough leaves. The plant grows on cultivated grounds and along roadsides, usually in rich soils, and has become a nuisance in some situations. It is a native of Europe, but has become naturalized in this country.

 The name Agropyron is from the Greek agros (field), and puros (wheat).

 On sandy seashores, the grass is often very abundant and assists in binding the sand and preventing the dunes from shifting, its long rhizome answering the purpose nearly as well as those of the Mat and Lyme Grasses.

 Though commonly regarded in this country as a worthless and troublesome weed, its roots are, however, considered on the Continent to be wholesome food for cattle and horses. In Italy, especially, they are carefully gathered by the peasants and sold in the markets. The roots have a sweet taste, somewhat resembling liquorice, and Withering relates that, dried and ground into meal, bread has been made with them in time of scarcity.

 From its long creeping, pointed root-stock, it produces in July several round, hollow flower stems, 2 to 3 feet high, thickened at the joints, bearing five to seven leaves and terminated by long, denselyflowered, two-rowed spikes of flowers, somewhat resembling those of rye or beardless wheat, composed of eight or more oval spikelets on alternate sides of the spike, each containing four to eight florets, the awns, when present, being not more than half the length of the flower. The leaves are flat, with a long, cleft sheath, and are rough on the upper surface, having a row of hairs on each principal vein.

 One of the names of this grass is Dog'sgrass, from its efficacy in relieving dogs when ill. They are often to be seen searching for its rough leaves, which they chew in order to procure vomiting. Culpepper closes his description of the grass by saying: 'If you know it not by this description, watch the dogs when they are sick and they will quickly lead you to it,' and concludes his account of its medicinal virtues with: 'and although a gardener be of another opinion, yet a physician holds half an acre of them to be worth five acres of carrots twice told over.'

 Gerard wrote:

 'Although that Couch-grasse be an unwelcome guest to fields and gardens, yet his physicke virtues do recompense those hurts; for it openeth the stoppings of the liver and reins without any manifest heat.' He says concerning a variety of Couch-grass that -

 'the roots of this grass are knotty and tuberous in early spring, but in summer-time these bulbs lose all shape or form. . . . The learned Societie of London and the Physitions of the Colledge do hold this bulbous Couch grass in temperature agreeing with the common Couch Grass, but in vertues more effectual,' and mentions it as 'growing in the fields next to St. James' Wall, as ye go to Chelsea, and in the fields as ye go from the Tower Hill of London to Radcliffe.'

 Culpepper greatly praises its virtues for diseases of the kidneys.

 The juice of the roots drank freely is recommended by Boerhaave in obstruction of the viscera, particularly in cases of scirrhous liver and jaundice, and it is noteworthy that cattle having scirrhous livers in winter soon get cured when turned out to grass in spring. Sheep and goats eat the leaves as well as cows, horses eat them when young, but leave them untouched when fully grown.

 The ancients were familiar with a grass under the names of Agrostis and Gramen - having a creeping root-stock like the Couchgrass. Dioscorides asserts that its root, taken in the form of decoction is a useful remedy in suppression of urine and stone in the bladder. The same statements are made by Pliny, and are found in the writings of Oribasius and Marcellus Empiricus in the fourth century and of ?tius in the sixth century, and figures of the plant may be found in Dodoens's herbal. The drug is also met with in the German pharmaceutical tariffs of the sixteenth century.

 Formerly the decoction of Couch-grass roots was a popular drink taken to purify the blood in spring. The drug is still a domestic remedy in great repute in France, being taken as a demulcent and sudorific in the form of a tisane. Readers of Trilby will remember Little Billee being dosed with this, as most Parisians have been. The French also use the Cocksfoot-grass (Cynodon Dactylon), which they term Pied-de-poule, in a similar way and for a similar purpose.


   Phytochemical and Constituents:

 8% triticin (carbohydrate), mannitol, mucilage (triticin), silicic acid, potassium, inositol, mannitol, glycosides (including glucovanilline), gum, vanillin, saponin, an antimicrobial substance (agropyrene), iron and other minerals.

 "Very long and creeping; about 2 Mm. (1/2 inch) thick; as met with in the shops, cut into sections about 1 Cm. (2/5 inch) long; smooth, but wrinkled; hollow in the center, straw-yellow; inodorous; taste sweetish"(U. S. P.) The rhizome of couch-grass, according to Ludwig and Miller (Jahresb. der Pharm., 1872, p. 22, and 1873, p. 25), contains laevulose (from 2.5 to 3.3 per cent); triticin, a very hygroscopic, laevo-rotatory substance allied to inulin, soluble in diluted alcohol and water, insoluble in ether, little soluble in strong alcohol. Upon hydrolysis with water or diluted acids, it yields laevulose. Other constituents of the rhizome are acid malates, and about 11 per cent of a nitrogenous gummy substance forming insoluble compounds with neutral and with basic lead acetate. The dried rhizome yields 4.5 per cent of ash, containing much silicic acid. (For some possible economic uses of the rhizome, see Plauchud, Jour. Pharm. Chim., 1877, p. 389.)

 Couch-grass rhizome contains about 7 to 8 per cent of Triticin (a carbohydrate resembling Inulin) and yielding levulose on hydrolysis. It appears to occur in the rhizome of other grasses, and possibly is widely diffused in the vegetable kingdom. Sugar, Inosite, Mucilage and acid malates are also constituents of the drug. Lactic acid and mannite may occur in an extract of the rhizome, but are understood to be fermentation products. Starch is not present and no definite active constituent has yet been discovered. The rhizome leaves about 4 1/2 per cent ash on incineration.


   Medical Uses and Actions:

 Couch-grass is diuretic and slightly aperient. It is an excellent agent in cases of excessive irritability of the bladder from any cause, lessening the frequency and pain of urination.

 It is a very efficient agent in cystitis, and those forms of dysuria due to chronic cystic irritability.

 It is highly praised as a remedy for incipient nephritis, allaying irritation, congestion and inflammation.

 Triticum is valued in pyelitis and other catarrhal and purulent urinary affections. It has been advised in gonorrhoea, chronic prostatitis with enlarged prostate, hematuria, and strangury. It is also recommended for its effects upon the renal secretion in gout, rheumatism, and jaundice. Infusion of triticum has long been used as a fever drink, and it has the well-merited reputation of preventing gravelly conditions. As a "spring medicine," for which it has been used by some, it is undoubtedly effectual in removing the broken-down material by way of the kidneys. The infusion is the best form of administration.

  Diuretic demulcent: Much used in cystitis and thetreatment of catarrhal diseases of the bladder. It palliates irritation of the urinary passages and gives relief in cases of gravel.

 It is also recommended in gout and rheumatism. It is supposed to owe its diuretic effect to its sugar, and is best given in the form of an infusion, made from 1 OZ. to a pint of boiling water, which may be freely used taken in wineglassful doses. A decoction is also made by putting 2 to 4 oz. in a quart of water and reducing down to a pint by boiling. Of the liquid extract 1/2 to 2 teaspoonsful are given in water.

 Couch-grass is official in the Indian and Colonial Addendum of the British Pharmacopoeia for use in the Australasian, Eastern and North American Colonies, where it is much employed.

  To prepare the infusion:  1 ounce of the underground stem (or so-called root) is infused for 1 hour in a pint of boiling water. When strained, and cool, it may be given in wineglassful doses several times a day. It may likewise be used in the form of syrup. Specific triticum is a reliable alcoholic preparation, the dose being from 1 to 20 drops, in water..


  Specific Indications and Uses:

 Irritation of the urinary apparatus; pain in the back; frequent and difficult or painful urination; gravelly deposits in the urine; catarrhal and purulent discharges from urethra.

 An excellent remedy in excessive irritability of the bladder, dysuria, cystitis, gonorrhoea.

  Nose: Always blowing nose.

  Urinary: Frequent, difficult, and painful urination (Pop). Gravelly deposits. Catarrhal and purulent discharges (Pareira). Strangury, pyelitis; enlarged prostate. Chronic cystic irritability. Incontinence; constant desire. Urine is dense and causes irritation of the mucous surfaces.

  Compare: Tradescantia; (Haemorrhage from ear and upper air passages; painful urination, urethral discharge; scrotum inflamed). Chimaph; Senecio; Populus trem; Buchu; Uva. Polytrichum Juniperinum-Ground Moss-(Painful urination of old people; dropsy, urinary obstruction and suppression).


  Pharmaceutical Preparation:

 A product named Tritipalm represents a combination of 60 grains of the fresh root of triticum and 30 grains of the fresh fruit of saw palmetto (Serenoa serrulata (more)), in each fluid drachm. It is a palatable compound fluid extract, and is designed as a general nutrient tonic and sedative to irritated and inflamed states of the mucous membranes of nose, throat, and bronchiae, especially arresting purulent discharges; it also acts upon the glandular appendages of the reproductive tract. It is specially recommended in nephritis, simple and gonorrhoeal urethritis, cystitis, vesical irritability, strangury, dysuria, and atrophy of the mammae, testes, ovaries, uterus, and especially of the prostate gland. The dose is 1 fluid drachm, followed by a draught of water, 4 times a day.

  A Remedy For:  Bronchitis,Colds,Cough,Fever,Sore throat,Tendency to infection,Urinary tract infections

 Couch Grass is used as a homeopathic remedy for urinary tract conditions. In folk medicine, it has been used for bladder infections, urinary stones, gout, pain from rheumatism, chronic skin problems, and constipation. Its effectiveness for these problems has not been scientifically verified.

  Mechanism of Actions:

 Because Couch Grass is a diuretic, drawing water from the body, it is used to flush out the urinary tract during infections. It also has an antimicrobial effect, destroying or inhibiting the growth of germs. Its high mucilage content makes it useful as a cough remedy.

 Although Couch Grass is generally considered a troublesome weed, it has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. During the early twentieth century, Couch Grass was used in France as a home remedy to soothe sore throats and to help "sweat out" illnesses. The medicinal part of the plant is its fleshy underground stem, collected in spring or autumn.

  Actions:  soothing mild diuretic, demulcent, antimicrobial, aperient, anticholesterolaemic

  Indications:  cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, renal calculus, lithuria.

  Therapeutics and Pharmacology:

 Triticum is a useful remedy in the treatment of urinary infections such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Its demulcent properties soothe irritation and inflammation. It is also of value in the treatment of prostatitis, and may be used in kidney stones and gravel. Its has a healing action on the urinary mucosa, and is particularly effective for children's conditions and for helping to manage examples of tension in the urinary system such as enuresis and nervous incontinence. As a tonic diuretic, Triticum has been used with other herbs in the treatment of rheumatism.

 The sugar mannitol present in large quantities in this herb, and is known as a standard 'osmotic diuretic', that is, it is absorbed whole from the gut and excreted largely by the kidney tubules. Its presence in the tubules means that extra water has to be retained in order to maintain osmotic pressure. The saponins and vanillin, also have diuretic properties. Silica, present as 30% of the inorganic residue, justifies this herb's use in the treatment of slow-healing wounds and to strengthen the lungs and other tissues. The antibiotic substance help to limit infections in the urinary tubules and elsewhere.


   Administration and Application dosage:
 

  Combinations:

 For cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis Triticum may be combined with Barosma, Arctostaphylos or Achillea. It can be combined with Hydrangea for prostate problems.

  How To Prepare:

 Crushed Couch Grass can be made into a tea. Pour one cup of boiling water over 3 to 10 grams (one-half to 2 teaspoonfuls) of the herb and steep for 10 minutes. Strain before drinking.
 Couch Grass is also available as a liquid extract and an alcohol solution (tincture).

  Preparation and Dosage: (thrice daily)

 Regulatory status GSL

  Dried rhizome:  4-8g or in decoction
  Liquid extract:  1:1 in 25% alcohol, 4-8ml
  Tincture:  1:5 in 40% alcohol, 5-15ml

  Additional Comments:  Couchgrass roots have been used as a medicine since the time of Dioscorides in the first century, and even sick dogs eat the leaves to produce a healing vomit. In Europe, it is still used as a tisane. Gerard wrote of Couchgrass '...it openeth the stoppings of the liver and reins without any manifest heat...', and Culpeper also praises its virtues for diseases of the kidneys.

  Typical Dosage: Couch Grass is taken orally. The usual daily dosage is 6 to 9 grams (between 1 and 2 teaspoonfuls). Dried Couch Grass must be kept in an airtight container and protected from light and moisture. Tincture or infusion by boiling two ounces in a quart of water until it is reduced to a pint. To be taken in four doses in 24 hours.

  Cautions:

 You should not take Couch Grass if you have swelling caused by heart or kidney problems.

  Special Cautions: Couch Grass presents no problems when taken at typical dosages. However, when using it to flush out the urinary tract, be sure to take it with plenty of fluids.

  Special Information: If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

  Substitutes: Agropyrum acutum (R. et S.) A. pungens (R. et S.) and A. junceum (Beauv.), by some botanists regarded as mere maritime varieties of A. repens, have root-stocks similar to the latter.


  Scientific References:

  1.bermuda grass is evil...bermuda grass is bug.....