CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

DOG'S-GRASS

Names. Called also couch-grass, and quick-grass.

Description. This has many long slender creeping roots, white and jointed, spreading much in the earth,with small fibres at every joint, from which arise several small stalks, not so thick as the stalk of wheat, having broad leaves one at each knot or joint. On the top of each stalk grows one long spiked head, shaped like an ear of wheat, but somewhat flatter, consisting of two rows of chaffy leaves.

Place. It grows in hedges and borders of fields, and is too troublesome in gardens, whence it is hard to extirpate.

Time. It flowers in May, and the seed is ripe in July.

Government and virtues. The dog's grass is under the dominion of Jupiter, and is the most medicinal of all the quick grasses. The roots of it act powerfully by urine; they should be dried and powdered, for the decoction by water is too strong for tender stomachs, therefore should be sparingly used when given that way to children to destroy the worms. The way of use is to bruise the roots, and having well boiled them in white wine, drink the decoction; it is opening, not purging, very safe: it is a remedy against all diseases coming of stopping, and such are half those that are incident to the body of man; and although a gardener be of another opinion, yet a physician holds half an acre of them to be worth five acres of carrots twice told over.