Couch grass is usually utilized in natural medicine for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antioxidant properties. What are its uses? Learn them here!
Perz, whose scientific name is Cynodon dactylonis a plant belonging to the grass family, which incorporates wheat, oats and corn. It can reach 40 centimeters in height and is characterised by rhizomatous stems, stiff, flat and somewhat hairy leaves, in addition to purple flower spikes.
It often grows on European soils, although it is usually widespread in Africa, the Middle East and parts of South America. It is kind of valued in gardening, since it covers lawns with its greenery and is kind of resistant.
However, beyond that its rhizomes are utilized in natural medicine as a result of their composition and properties. They are distinguished primarily by the content of mineral salts, in addition to fatty acids and antioxidants. Below we are going to let you know about its fundamental uses and contraindications.
The fundamental lively compounds of couch grass
There are many who’re unfamiliar with couch grass beyond its ornamental uses. The truth is that its rhizomes are harvested to develop home remedies and supplements along with other plants. Reason? They concentrate lively substances with pharmacological properties.
As detailed in publication in Journal of Food Science and Technologyits fundamental compounds are:
- palmitic acid
- linoleic acid
- Methyl esters (ethyl palmitate, ethyl linoleate and ethyl oleate)
- Dihomo-γ-linoleic acid
- 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
- Maltol
- retinol
- phytol
In addition, it incorporates glycosides, potassium salts and fructans that affect its health properties. To be more accurate anti-inflammatory, diuretic, cleansing, antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects are attributed to it.
However, lots of these properties will not be yet confirmed by science. And although many individuals use couch grass as a natural treatment, it needs to be used with caution, especially if there are any underlying conditions.
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Benefits of couch grass for health
In traditional medicine, couch grass has been used as a complement to enhance kidney health and metabolism. However, to date insufficient research has been carried out to substantiate its properties.
Some of the available research has been done within the laboratory and in animals, so there continues to be a necessity to review its effects on human health. Anyway, let’s take a take a look at its fundamental medicinal uses.
Kidney health
Given their complexity, kidney disease should at all times be approached by a health care provider or specialist. Perz just isn’t an alternate or drug of first alternative within the fight against these problems. However, its antioxidant and diuretic effects could also be useful in a complementary way.
AND joint study in rats in Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine I discovered it minimum dose of 200 mg/kg C. dactyl it was useful in reducing the formation of kidney stones. This was also proved by A previous studyalso conducted on rats, which showed that couch grass extract helps within the prevention of kidney stones, and in addition stimulates the elimination of calcium oxalate deposition within the kidneys.
Other kidney health advantages are attributed to it in the favored literature, but these haven’t been evaluated by science. It is believed to advertise the excretion of excess uric acid and reduce the danger of urethritis, cystitis and prostatitis.
Fluid retention
A study conducted on rats, reported in the Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, talks in regards to the diuretic potential of couch grass. Plant it has been used for a whole lot of years as a stimulant to eliminate fluid retention within the body.
In the above experiment, scientists observed that after oral administration of an aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon the basis at doses of 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg/kg body weight had a diuretic effect.
So it’s believed that may support the treatment of edematous disorders or non-edematous diseases which might be aggravated by excess fluid. In itself, diuretics increase water and electrolyte homeostasis to regulate or prevent such health problems.
High blood pressure and diabetes
As a complementary measure, couch grass has been used to stop diabetes and hypertension. Firstly, it’s credited with hypoglycaemic properties that help lower high blood glucose levels. On the opposite hand, its diuretic effects and antioxidants will help control blood pressure.
Therefore, A rat study with type 2 diabetes, it was found that extracts from Cynodon dactylon leaves (200 mg/kg/day) i Phyllanthus niruri (600 mg/kg/day), administered orally, was conducive to the control of comorbid diabetes and hypertension.
For now, human studies are still needed to confirm these effects.
Other possible health uses of couch grass
- Due to its diuretic and anti inflammatory properties, Couch grass remedies are used to cut back arthritis symptoms and rheumatic inflammation.
- Phenolic acids and flavonoids present in C. dactyl promote collagenasewhat gives potential as a wound healing agent.
- Helps in muscle regeneration, relieving fatigue and reducing cramps, as a result of the potassium content.
- His anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties Are connected to liver protection. For this purpose, it is usually utilized in formulas with other botanicals reminiscent of milk thistle, fumitors, and centaurs.
- Its infusion is usually used to rehydrate the body and replenish minerals.
Dangers and contraindications of common grass
For most healthy adults, couch grass remedies are protected and well tolerated.
However, careful and timely consumption is really helpful as an excessive amount of may be harmful. Now there are cases where it is best to avoid its consumption. Belong to them:
- Heart disease and hypertension: Although couch grass has been shown to have antihypertensive effects, seek the advice of your doctor before trying it as a complement. In fact, its concurrent use with medications for this disorder needs to be avoided.
- Pregnancy and lactation: There are not any studies on safety in these conditions. Therefore, it’s best to avoid it.
- Treatment with anticoagulants, antidepressants and antidiabetics, including: It mustn’t be forgotten that the plant can cause interactions with these drugs, which either strengthens or weakens their effect.
- Liver diseases: While some advantages of couch grass for liver health are reported, caution needs to be exercised if underlying liver conditions are already present. Both plants and supplements can result in complications.
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Dosage and approach to consumption
The above-ground parts of the plant contain cyanogenic heterosides that could cause poisoning. For this reason, only the rhizome may be used.
The doses of couch grass may vary depending on its presentation. Often, liquid extracts or tinctures suggest taking 30 drops a day, diluted in water or juice. It can be available as a powder for infusion. This consumes 3 grams per 250 milliliter cup.
Decoctions may be consumed alone or together with other diuretic plants. It is often repeated 2 or 3 times a day. In any case, it’s price asking the herbalist in regards to the amount and maximum period of consumption.
Here are some herbal combos with couch grass:
- To lower hypertension: Couch grass rhizome, corn silk, linden, field horsetail and fennel. Mix 10 to twenty grams of every plant. Then take a tablespoon of the mixture and pour it with a glass of boiling water. Ready to eat after 10 minutes.
- Remedy for kidney stones: To increase the diuretic properties of the plant, couch grass rhizome is combined with Arenaria, dandelion, meadowsweet, oats and fennel. First, an infusion of 20 g of gram and dandelion is ready. When it is prepared, it’s combined with other plants. A cup may be drunk after each fundamental meal.
What to recollect about perz
Couchgrass (Cynodon dactylon) has interesting medicinal uses as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and remineralizing agent middle – especially its rhizome. However, until now, there haven’t been enough studies on humans to substantiate the properties attributed to it.
Therefore, it’s a herbal medicine that needs to be used sparingly, only at the correct time and in a complementary way. For no reason, it cannot replace any treatment prescribed by a health care provider. Nor should it’s the drug of first alternative.
If you’ve got pre-existing medical conditions or in the event you are taking any medications, your healthcare skilled should determine in the event that they are protected so that you can devour. Remember that!
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