Dog Grass Root Tea

Elymus repens is a common perennial grass native to Europe, Asia, and northwest Africa. It has creeping rhizomes which allow the plant to spread rapidly. Although it is considered an invasive weed in many countries where it has naturalized, dog grass has been employed in traditional European herbalism for centuries. Also referred to as couch grass or couchgrass, dog grass root is typically blended into herbal formulations and can be taken as a tea or employed topically.

Taken internally as a tea and also used for baths and irrigation therapy. To make the tea, put 2 teaspoons of the cut rhizome in a cup of water, bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Typically used with some combination of buchu, corn silk, hydrangea, uva ursi (bearberry), yarrow, and/or cranberries or cranberry juice. Can also be administered as a capsule or extract.