Bermuda grass: much more than a pest

Cynodon dactylon, commonly known as Bermuda grass, is synonymous with a botanical species that proliferates everywhere, primarily as an unwanted and invasive plant. This is because it blankets the ground, inhibiting the growth of other cultivated plants nearby, hindering plowing, and other soil-related activities. Its etymology comes from the Greek words cynòs, meaning dog, and odón, meaning tooth, hence “dog’s tooth,” perhaps due to the shape of the stolon buds. Meanwhile, dáctylos means finger, referring to the digitate shape of the inflorescence.

As a member of the Poaceae family, it is a perennial herbaceous plant with an inflorescence consisting of spikes. In the case of Bermuda grass, the spikes are arranged in threes per culm, all at the same level. It possesses an underground stem (rhizome) that annually produces roots and adventitious stems, intertwining and colonizing the soil. The leaves are linear, approximately 3-5 cm long and 3 mm wide. Flowering occurs from July to September, displaying flowers ranging from green to violet, while the fruit is a caryopsis.

The medicinal part is represented by the rhizome, about 3-4 mm in size, and somewhat flattened. Its balsamic period is preferably indicated in spring, although harvesting can be carried out throughout the year; sometimes, even the green parts are used. It contains a polysaccharide similar to insulin called triticin, as well as cynodin, essential oil (carvacrol, carvone, thymol, menthol, trans-anethole), mucilage, saponins, sugars (fructose, glucose, mannitol, inositol), malic acid, palmitic acid, vanilloside, vanillin, phenolcarboxylic acids, potassium nitrate, calcium, silicic acid, and silicates.

Bermuda grass is a widely used folk remedy with diuretic, detoxifying, refreshing, appetizing, cholagogic, emollient, antigout, and hypotensive properties.

Traditionally, the rhizome decoction was utilized to eliminate small stones in the urinary and gallbladder apparatus, as a diuretic, in urinary ailments. It was combined with Nettle and Mallow as a decongestant in bladder conditions and cystitis, as well as during influenza, pneumonia, and as a purgative.

In herbalism, the fresh juice of the green tops is used as a hepatic purifier.

The rhizome decoction is used to assist with gout, hyperuricemia, kidney stones, and rheumatism. Furthermore, the decoction is also externally applied to treat ocular inflammations. Mother tincture is also prepared as a purifier, drainer, and hypotensive.

In the early 1900s, Rome had a professional figure dedicated to Bermuda grass collection called “gramicciari.” After harvesting, they washed Bermuda grass in Rome’s fountains, with one fountain near S. Maria Maggiore notably remembered for this purpose.

Fresh rhizomes, after drying and grinding and mixing with wheat, were used to make bread during periods of famine.

Chopped and roasted underground stems of Bermuda grass served as a coffee substitute.

Another original product produced in the past with Bermuda grass was beer.

Finally, since pigs are fond of these rhizomes, these animals were used to eliminate Bermuda grass when the land needed cultivation.

Similar species used similarly exist, for example: Elymus repens (Agropyron repens or Triticum repens).

ANJA LATINI

Registered Herbalist with RNEP No. GLT0018S