Wonder Plant Bermuda Grass -Arugampul, Cynodon dactylon- and It’s Medicinal Value

Bermuda Grass or Arugampul is indeed a blessing to the ailing humanity. It is quite surprising that a plant of this nature that could cure or bring considerable relief to so many ailments that would otherwise require treatment with expensive drugs, is so well hidden in this information age. It is still more surprising when one considers how wide-spread this plant is in tropical countries such as Sri Lanka where it grows wild even by the roadside.

Going by the scientific name Cynodon dactylon, this plant is also known as Durva Grass, Dhub, Bermuda Grass, Dog’s Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Devil's Grass, Couch Grass, Indian Doab, Grama, and Scutch Grass. This grass is know in Tamil as Arugampul and is used in making garlands for Lord Ganesha. One of the surest ways to identify this grass is to visit a Hindu Temple and ask to be shown some Arugampul.

Please let me digress here to express my gratitude to Mr Somapala Dematapitiya, for it is in his book entitled “Discovery of Gods Unseen” that I first came across the medicinal properties of this wonder plant. Mr Dematapitiya has taken a bold step by publishing this book with a view to unravelling the realities embodied in the subject of gods, and brings about some authentic revelations about the whole concept of gods and deities. In his discussions he mentions wonderful properties of Arugampul and comes up with a fitting name for it too - “Rajamantri". A review of this book is found here.

How Arugampul Got Bed-Ridden Liver and Kidney Patients on Their Feet
Mr Dematapitiya maintains that taking boiled Arugampul everyday would improve your overall well being as it helps remove toxins from your body. Also, it should help cure many ailments like blood pressure, diabetes and gastric disorders. Further, he cites instances where he had recommended Arugampul treatment to people with serious kidney and liver complications, and happily, how they had shown a tremendous improvement, some to the extent of not needing expensive treatment like kidney dialysis any more. This is all the more remarkable when we consider the utter simplicity of the 'Treatment’ - Boiled Arugampul Three Times a Day. We can imagine the relief it must have brought these patients as some of them by then had had their financial resources drained by their medical expenses.

By looking up Arugampul or Bermuda Grass on the Web, one can get loads of information on the plant and a large number of Arugampul remedies for various ailments.

Bermuda Grass (Arugampul, Cynodon dactylon)
This is a grass native to north Africa, Asia, Australia and southern Europe. The blades are a grey-green colour and are short, usually 4-15 cm long with rough edges. The erect stems can grow 1-30 cm (rarely to 90 cm) tall. The stems are slightly flattened, often tinged purple in color. The grass creeps along the ground and root wherever a node touches the ground, forming a dense mat. It has a deep root system; in drought situations with penetrable soil, the root system can grow to over 2 m deep, though most of the root mass is less than 60 cm under the surface. Cynodon dactylon reproduces through seeds, through runners and rhizomes. Growth begins at temperatures above 15 °C (59 °F) with optimum growth between 24 to 37 °C (75 to 99 °F); in winter the grass becomes dormant and turns brown. Growth is promoted by full sun and retarded by full shade.

Medicinal Value of Arugampul
Bermuda Grass or Arugampul has wonderful medicinal properties. It acts as an excellent detoxifier. It’s juice purifies blood and flushes out the toxins out of the body; Cures Nervous weakness and general fatigue; Strengthens the body and tones up the nervous system. This makes for overall well being.

Arugampul or Bermuda grass contains more than 65% of chlorophyl. This helps in increasing the number of red blood cells in our body. It contains protein, fiber, calcium and phosphorus and potassium. It helps in maintaining the alkalinity of blood as it reduces acidity. It helps resists attacks of cold and is quick in removing phlegm.

This grass improves digestion, cures stomach ailments. It has been observed that dogs, troubled with stomach ailments, search out and eat this grass. Hence the name Dog’s Tooth Grass.

This is also an ideal diabetic diet. About 10-15 Neem (Margosa) leaves along with a handful of Arugampul can be ground to a fine paste with a few drops of water. This juice is effective in curing diabetes if it is of recent onset. In chronic cases of diabetes, this juice helps keep sugar level in control. Also drinking Bermuda Grass juice every morning on an empty stomach is good for diabetic patients as your sugar level should come down.

For persistent skin diseases like scabies and eczema, take a handful of Bermuda Grass and a small piece of Turmeric and grind to a fine paste and apply the mixture in the affected area. This can be washed away after half an hour. Regular application is found to cure eczema, scabies and other skin rashes.

To get rid of bodily weakness, body heat and mouth ulcers take a mixture of Bemuda Grass and cow’s butter for 20 to 48 days. This should bring a glow to your face as it would improve skin tone.

Bermuda Grass is also found to be effective in curtailing blood loss. Be it blood loss due to an injury, nosebleed, or excessive menstrual flow, these can be treated with Bermuda Grass or Arugampul.
A study in India has shown that Arugamul juice or powder increases haemoglobin levels and has good effects on anaemic pregnant mothers. It is an excellent supplement for lactating mothers. It boosts Prolactin and so increases the quality and quantity of breast milk.

How to Prepare Arugampul or Bermuda Grass
You can take raw Arugampul juice or make it into a tea by boiling the grass with some water.

Take a fistful of the grass and wash it thoroughly. Extract Juice by using a mixer or a grinding stone, using water sparingly. Add water to the juice in the proportion of 3 parts of water to one part of the extract. You can drink it straight.

This should be taken preferably in the morning. Avoid taking any drink or food for the next 3 hours. This juice extract can be taken twice or three times a day.

For Arumugam Tea, follow the same process above up to grinding of the grass to extract juice. Then boil it –both grass and the extract- in a pot of water. You can add water as you see fit, but keep in mind that adding more water will dilute the efficacy of the tea. You can take this tea three times a day and some people use it in place of drinking water too. If you are a diabetic patient, please do not over-drink the brew.


Web Resources
The Health Grass for Humans

Siddha Home Remedies – Medicinal Uses of Arugampul

Evidence-based Critical Evaluation of Glycemic Potential of Cynodon dactylon

Effect of supplementation of Cynodon Dactylon (Arugampul) juice/powder on anaemic pregnant women (20-30- years)

The Sacred Grass

Bermuda Grass - Worldly, Wily, Wonderful weed