Graminis rhizoma

Graminis rhizoma, also called couch grass rhizome, is a drug obtained from the dried rhizome of couch grass. The drug is used, among other things, for the treatment of disorders of the urinary tract and benign prostatic hyperplasia.Present monographs of HMPC, ESCOP and Commission E.

Quality specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC mon ograph: Traditional-use: increase urinary volume, flushing of the urinary tract in mild urinary symptoms.

ESCOP monograph: Irritable bladder, disorders of the urinary tract

Commission E-monograph: flushing in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, prevention in renal gravel.

Graminis rhizoma contains essential oil(thymol, carvacrol, carvone, agropyrene), saponins, tricitin (3 to 12 %) an inulin-like carbon hydrate, silicic acid, alkyl p-hydroxycinnamic acid ester, phytosterols and 36 % free fatty acids.

Graminis rhizoma shows antimicrobial and diuretic effects. Especially agropyrene has an antifugal effect (Trichophyton species).

According to the previous monograph of Commission E, couch grass rootstock is used as a flushing therapy for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and as a preventive measure against renal gravel.
Further indications are irritable bladders, benign prostatic hyperplasia and bronchial catarrh.

The root extract is also used for "chronic skin diseases" e.g. chronic dermaitis. There is no scientific basis for this.

Under the INCI designation"Agropyron repens root extract" the root extract is used in cosmetic products.

The TD (daily dose) of the drug ranges from 6.0 to 9.0 g. Here the drug is used mainly in the form of tea preparations. A tincture (1:5) in 45% ethanol (ED 5-10ml 3x/day p.o.) is also suitable.

Tea infusion: pour 5 to 10 g of cut couch grass rootstock with about 150 mL of boiling water and strain after 10 minutes.

2 to 4 times a day a cup of couch grass tea.

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Undesirable effects are not known.

In the presence of cardiac or nephrogenic edema, flushing therapy should not be used.

Pregnancy and lactation due to lack of data on safety. Children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to lack of data.

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3. Schilcher H (2016) In: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, pp. 244 f.
4. Sharopov FS et al (2011) The essential oil of Artemisia scoparia from tajikistan is dominated by phenyldiacetylenes. Nat Prod Commun 6:119-122
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6. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/quecke.php.