Triticum. Agropyron repens.

Synonym—Couch Grass.

CONSTITUENTS—

Triticin, silica, glucose, inosite, mucilage.

PREPARATIONS—

Specific Triticum. Dose, from one to sixty minims.

Physiological Action—The action of this agent is solely upon the urinary apparatus. It exercises a soothing, diuretic influence, greatly increasing the flow of the watery portion of the urine without to the same extent influencing the actual renal secretion. It is bland, mild, unirritating, and is used whenever urine, having a high specific gravity, causes irritation of the kidneys or bladder, more especially of their mucous surfaces.

Therapy—It is a useful agent in pyelitis and in catarrhal and purulent cystitis. It is of value also because of its soothing properties in gonorrhea. In the treatment of lithemia it will relieve the constant ache in the back, which is due to precipitation of the crystalline secreted products within the tubules of the kidneys, by furnishing abundant water for their solution. It flushes the kidneys, as it were, to an admirable extent, when renal sand has accumulated within the pelvis. Under these circumstances it is one of our most useful remedies. Whether the deposit consists of phosphates, uric acid, or the salts of calcium, it seems to act equally well. It relieves dysuria and tenesmus and has been beneficial in the treatment of both sub-acute and chronic prostatitis with enlargement, strangury and haematuria.

In gout, chronic rheumatism and jaundice with the above complications, it is of much value as an eliminant. One of our authorities speaks of it as a drink in fevers. The infusion may be iced, or given with lemon juice as lemonade.

It not only quiets the thirst, but it accomplishes the important purpose of keeping up free secretion from the kidneys. In the treatment of fever it is most important that the excretory functions should not be retarded and it is but seldom that sufficient attention is paid to the function of the kidneys. A free flow of urine is often a most effectual sedative, materially assisting in the reduction of excessive temperature. There are but seldom, unpleasant effects observed from mild stimulation of the kidneys, under these circumstances. It assists in the elimination of heat, and waste products, and greatly lessens the danger of auto-intoxication, acting more effectually in many cases, than free evacuation of the bowels.

While the demulcent effect of this agent is not as great as that of other diuretics, its influence under the circumstances above named is often more satisfactory.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.