Couch Grass Root vs Trailing Arbutus

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Couch Grass Root

Elymus repens radix

Urinary

Epigaea repens

Urinary

Couch Grass Root

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Trailing Arbutus

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Root-rhizome form of couch grass for urinary soothing and kidney stone passage.

Low creeping evergreen of North American woodlands; flowers are the state flower of Massachusetts; used by Indigenous peoples for kidney conditions.

Active Compounds

triticin, inositol, mannitol, mucilage, phenolic acids

arbutin, tannins, flavonoids, formic acid

Traditional Uses

European urinary root herb, kidney stone treatment, bladder soother

Kidney and bladder conditions, Urinary tract infections, Uterine conditions, Used by Iroquois and Potawatomi peoples

Modern Uses

urinary antiseptic, diuretic, demulcent urinary, kidney stones

Urinary antiseptic via arbutin, Diuretic, Astringent

Adult Dosage

6-9g dried rhizome as decoction daily

2–3 g dried leaves as tea; 1–2 mL tincture

Contraindications

edema from heart failure, kidney failure

Pregnancy, Prolonged use

Side Effects

generally safe, mild diuresis

GI irritation with prolonged use, Green discoloration of urine

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E