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Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia: |
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Quitch (Couch-grass) Root
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 Scientific Names |
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 Forms |
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 Traditional Usage |
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 Overview |
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 Active Ingredients |
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 Suggested Amount |
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 Drug Interactions |
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 Contraindications |
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 Side Effects |
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 References |
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Scientific Names: |
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Elymus repens (L.) GOULD (syn. Agropyron repens (L.) P. Beauvois and Triticum repens L.) [Fam. Poaceae] |
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Forms: |
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Quitch root and rhizome tea; fresh whole root and rhizome; cut and dried root and rhizomes. |
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Traditional Usage: |
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- Breathing Disorders
- Bronchitis
- Catarrh (respiratory and urinary)
- Cough
- Diuretic
- Laryngitis
- Urinary Tract Gravel |
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Overview: |
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Quitch, Elymus repens (L.) GOULD [Fam. Poaceae], also known as quackgrass, couch-grass, Triticum, Twitch or Dog grass, was traditionally used in Europe and is approved by the Commission E as a diuretic and also to treat urinary tract problems including gravel, respiratory catarrh (mucous), respiratory inflammation, bronchitis, cough and laryngitis. The underground parts of the plant are especially recommended for preventing urinary gravel, infection and inflammation of the urinary tract. American Indians also used the tea as a diuretic to treat kidney gravel and urinary incontinence, and also as a worm expellant, a wash for swollen limbs and chewed the mildly sweet roots like licorice. In Africa, the plant is considered an antidote to arrow poisons. The variant name Quitch is thought to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word cwice, which meant "quick." As a mild diuretic, it can be added to more powerful herbs to help treat urinary and kidney disorders. Some use it also to treat gout. The long roots have been made into flour for making breadstuffs during times of famine and roasted to make pioneer "coffee." Up to eight percent of the root is made up of a compound called triticin, a polysaccharide related to inulin - a complex carbohydrate or fructo-oligo-saccharide (FOS) that upon hydrolysis yields fructose. The root also contains approximately 10% mucilage. Based on clinical studies, intake of FOS and other sources of soluble fibre or mucilage significantly increase beneficial bifidobacteria within the gastrointestinal tract and eliminate bacterial pathogens. This ultimately stimulates the immune system and effectively suppresses abnormal cell growth. |
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Active Ingredients: |
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Quitch root contains: Approximately 3-8% triticin, a polysaccharide closely related to inulin that upon hydrolysis yields fructose; up to 10% mucilage; 2-3% sugar alcohols like mannitol and inositol; 0.01-0.05% essential oil with polyacetylenes including agropyrene, carvone, etc.; small amounts of vanilloside (vanillin monoglucoside), vanillin and phenolcarboxylic acids; silicic acid and silicates. The root may also contain saponins and lectins. |
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Suggested Amount: |
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German authorities recommend using 5-10g of finely chopped or coarsely powdered quitch root (ca. 2-3 teaspoonfuls) and infusing this for ten minutes in approximately 150ml of boiling water and then straining. A cupful of the freshly prepared tea is drunk up to four times per day. |
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Drug Interactions: |
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As with other sources of soluble fibre, quitch root and its tea may reduce the absorption of oral medications and therefore should be taken separately from these. |
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Contraindications: |
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None known. |
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Side Effects: |
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None known. |
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References: |
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Duke, J. 1997: The Green Pharmacy, The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing and Herbs. pp. 102; 119; 252-253; 372. Rodale Press.
Foster S, and Duke JA. 1990. Quack Grass in Medicinal Plants. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY, p. 314.
Grases F, Ramis M, Costa-Bauza A, March JG. 1995. Effect of Herniaria hirsuta and Agropyron repens on calcium oxalate urolithiasis risk in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Mar; 45(3): 211-4.
Paslawska S, Piekos R. 1976. Studies on the optimum conditions of extraction of silicon species from plants with water. IV. Agropyron repens. Planta Med. 1976 Nov; 30(3): 216-22.
Wichtl M (ed). 1994. Graminis rhizoma – Couch-grass Root (English translation by Norman Grainger Bisset). In Herbal Drugs and Phyto-pharmaceuticals. CRC Press, Stuttgart, pp. 241-242.
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