C
COTTONTREE (Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston.) ++Synonyms — Bombax gossypium L., C. gossypium (L.) DC., Maximilianea gossypium (L.) Kuntze.
Activities (Cottontree) — Antipyretic (f; WOI); Laxative (1; PH2); Sedative (f; WOI); Stimulant
(f; WOI).
Indications (Cottontree) — Constipation (1; PH2); Cough (f; WOI); Diarrhea (f; PH2); Dysentery
(f; PH2); Fever (f; WOI); Fistula (f; SKJ); Insomnia (f; WOI); Nervousness (f; WOI); Pharyngosis
(f; PH2); Proteinuria (f; SKJ); Sore (f; SKJ); VD (f; PH2).
Dosages (Cottontree) — 3 g gum (PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Cottontree) — Not covered (AHP). “Health
hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2).
COUCHGRASS, QUACKGRASS
(Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski) ++Synonyms — Agropyron firmum J. Presl, A. repens (L.) P. Beauv., A. repens var. bromiforme Schur,
A. repens var. glaucescens Peterm., Elymus repens (L.) Gould, Triticum firmum (J. Presl) Link, T.
repens L.
Regrettably, Gruenwald (2000) used “triticum” as the common name, though listing 10 that could
have been more appropriate and/or less confusing. Triticum is the Latin name for wheat, but not
wheat-grass or couch-grass (JAD).
Activities (Couchgrass) — Anthelminthic (f; DEM); Antibacterial (1; APA); Antiedemic (1; CAN);
Antiinflammatory (1; CAN); Antiseptic (1; CAN; PH2); Decongestant (f; APA); Demulcent (f;
APA); Diuretic (1; APA; CAN; FAD); Herbicide (1; CAN); Litholytic (1; PH2); Sedative (1; CAN).
Indications (Couchgrass) — Arthrosis (f; PH2); Bacteria (1; APA); Bladder Stone (2; PH2); BPH
(2; CAN); Bronchosis (2; APA; PHR); Calculus (2; CAN); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH);
Cancer, pylorus (f; JLH); Cancer, tonsil (f; JLH); Cold (f; PHR); Congestion (f; APA); Constipation
(1; PHR; PH2); Cough (f; APA; PHR; PH2); Cystosis (1; APA; CAN); Dermatosis (1; APA; PH2);
Diabetes (1; PHR; PH2); Dysuria (f; DEM); Enuresis (f; DEM); Fever (f; PHR); Gout (1; PHR;
PH2); Gravel (1; FAD; KOM; PH2); Incontinence (f; DEM; FAD); Infection (2; KOM; PHR);
Inflammation (1; CAN; PH2); Insomnia (1; CAN); Kidney Stone (2; APA; PHR; PH2); Lithuria
(2; FAD); Mucososis (f; APA); Nephrosis (1; KOM); Nervousness (1; CAN); Pain (f; PH2);
Pharyngosis (2; PHR); Prostatosis (2; APA; CAN; FNF); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Sclerosis (f; JLH);
Stomatosis (2; PHR); Stone (1; PH2); Swelling (1; CAN; DEM; FAD); Tonsilosis (f; JLH);
Urethrosis (2; CAN; PH2); UTI (2; APA; KOM; PH2); Water Retention (1; APA; CAN; FAD);
Worm (f; DEM; FAD).
Dosages (Couchgrass) — 2–3 tsp chopped rhizome/cup water to 4 ×/day (APA; WIC); 4–8 g
rhizome as tea 3 ×/day (CAN); 5–15 ml rhizome tincture (1:5 in 40% alcohol) 3 ×/day (CAN);
4–8 ml liquid rhizome extract (PNC); 4–8 ml liquid extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Couchgrass) — Class 1, 2b, 2c (AHP).
“In view of its reputed diuretic action, excessive or prolonged use of couchgrass should be
avoided since this may result in hypokalemia. The use of couchgrass during pregnancy and
lactation should be avoided.” (AHP). Irrigation therapy contraindicated in edema due to cardiac
or renal insufficiency (KOM). Varro Tyler cautioned against self-medication for BPH. Whenever
treating BPH, a practitioner should be involved. Base-line levels of PSA should be established
before considering an herbal treatment (JAD).