Couch Grass Root: Elymus repens (L.)
Why Couch Grass? Couch grass root (also commonly called dog grass) is a shiny, pale-yellow-colored root often used in teas, tinctures, and other herbal applications.
Quality Assured: Our certified organic couch grass root is responsibly sourced from Croatia. This herb is Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth and grown without the use of genetic engineering, artificial fertilizers, or pesticides. Our experts here at the Apothecary Shoppe personally evaluate every herb through taste, touch, and smell to assure that you are receiving the best botanicals suitable for use.
Benefits: Couch grass root may be used in tincture or liquid extract.
Cautions and Contraindications: Excessive or prolonged use of couch grass should be avoided since this may result in hypokalemia.
Formula:
COUCH GRASS ROOT TINCTURE:
Couch grass Elymus repens root (dry powdered): 1 ounce
Alcohol such as vodka or even apple cider vinegar: 1 pint
Mix herb with alcohol or cider vinegar in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, such as a canning or preserving jar.
Keep the tincture in a tightly closed jar in a warm spot (but not in the sun), for approximately two weeks.
Shake the tincture two to three times every day.
After two weeks*, strain the tincture through pharmaceutical filter paper, a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or muslin. You may need to strain your tincture two or even three times to remove all of the herb solids. Leaving solids in your tincture may lead to mold and spoilage.
Store your tincture in a dark bottle or cupboard.
Half a pint of tincture should equal the potency of one ounce of the fresh herb, so approximately one teaspoon will equal the strength of one cup of infusion.
The dose is small, approximately 20 to 40 drops three times a day, although this varies with each herb. Dilute in approximately one-quarter cup of water to take.
*Note that the consensus is that the minimum time to extract herbs into a tincture is two weeks, and the maximum time is three months. Extraction time also depends on the plant material and the percentage of alcohol needed. Most above ground plant parts only need about 40% alcohol and will extract very quickly. Tougher roots and rhizomes typically need a higher percentage of alcohol and longer time to extract.
