HERBS: COUCHGRASS AND CRAMP BARK

March 30th, 2009 by admin

Couchgrass (Agropyron repens; Synonym, Triticum repens)

Action: Diuretic, urinary antiseptic.

Systems Affected: Kidneys, bladder.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried rhizome, dose 4-8 grams by infusion.

Native to Europe, Couchgrass is now widely distributed throughout the world. A well-known and troublesome weed to gardeners, the young leaves and stems are eaten by cats and dogs to induce vomiting.

The plant has a long history of medicinal use dating back to the time of Dioscorides and Pliny. A diuretic and urinary antiseptic, it is used to treat cystitis, urethritis, retention of urine and urinary stones or gravel. It is specific for cystitis with irritation and inflammation of the urinary tract.

The rhizomes are collected in autumn, stripped of the attached roots, cut into small strips and dried.

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opuius)

Action: Antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, emmenagogue, astringent.

Systems Affected: Nerves, heart, muscles, urogenital organs.

Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Dried bark, dose 2-5 grams by decoction.

Also known as Guelder Rose, Cramp Bark is an attractive shrub growing up to 4 meters in height. The plant is indigenous to Europe, northern Asia and North America, but is now widespread as an ornamental. The wild Viburnum opulus, which bears fruit similar to cranberries, is the one used by herbalists, whereas a sterile, and thus non-fruiting, cultivar is often found in horticultural lists as the Snowball Tree.

As its name implies, Cramp Bark acts as an antispasmodic to the body, and is good for period pain, abdominal cramps and colic, muscle cramps, fits, fainting, neuralgia, convulsions, spasms and nervous disorders of all kinds.

Tonic and relaxant to the ovaries and uterus, it is regarded as specific for uterine dysfunction and for ovarian and uterine pain.

It is sometimes employed in acute cases of heart palpitations and rheumatism, and is also useful for asthma. It is helpful in cases of bed-wetting in children.

Cramp Bark works to best advantage when combined with other herbs such as Skullcap, Ginger, Angelica and Chamomile. It is highly regarded as an antispasmodic and is one of the best female regulators in nature.

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