Often known by common names like Wiregrass, Yard Grass, or Indian Goosegrass, Eleusine indica is typically pulled as an aggressive weed in lawns and gardens.1 However, across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, this tenacious plant has been used for centuries as a vital, accessible traditional medicine.2 Far from being a mere pest, this humble grass contains a rich spectrum of therapeutic compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and essential oils, giving it significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties—benefits now being confirmed by modern pharmacological studies.3
Here are 10 hidden healing secrets of Eleusine indica that demonstrate its value as a powerful, holistic natural remedy.
I. 
INFECTION AND IMMUNE DEFENSE
- Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial: Extracts from Goosegrass have demonstrated strong antibacterial and antifungal activity against various pathogens, supporting its traditional use in combating infections.4
- Fights Fevers (Antipyretic): Used traditionally as a febrifuge (fever reducer) to help lower body temperature, particularly in cases of flu and malaria-related fevers.5
- Wound Healing: Crushed or pounded leaves are applied topically to wounds, cuts, and minor skin infections (like ringworm) to leverage its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action.6
- Anti-Inflammatory Action: The plant’s decoctions are used to alleviate general inflammation and pain, including that associated with joint discomfort and traumatic injury.7
II. 
ORGAN SUPPORT AND DETOXIFICATION
- Liver Protection (Hepatoprotective): Traditional uses, supported by animal studies, suggest that Goosegrass extracts help protect the liver from oxidative damage and stress, aiding in detoxification and the management of liver complaints.8
- Diuretic and Kidney Support: The entire plant, especially the root, is valued for its diuretic properties in traditional Vietnamese medicine, helping to increase urine production and treat conditions like urine retention and oliguria.9
- Antihypertensive Properties: Traditional Vietnamese medicine utilizes the plant to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), and pharmacological studies have confirmed its potential anti-hypertensive activity.
III. 
WOMEN’S AND DIGESTIVE HEALTH
- Postpartum Aid: In several traditional systems, decoctions of the leaves or juice are used to hasten the delivery of the placenta after childbirth and to relieve pain associated with vaginal bleeding.10
- Gastrointestinal Relief: Used traditionally to treat various stomach disorders, diarrhea, and dysentery, often leveraging its astringent and depurative (cleansing) effects.
- Anthelmintic Action: Used in traditional medicine to help expel intestinal worms and parasites from the digestive tract.11
IV. 
HOW TO USE GOOSEGRASS AS MEDICINE (Traditional Preparation)
The most common traditional method is boiling the fresh or dried plant material to create a potent decoction.
- For Acute Use (Tea/Decoction): Take the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of the plant.12 Boil them in water and consume the resulting decoction. This is often used for fever, influenza, and general tonic use.13
- For Topical Use (Poultice): Pound fresh leaves and apply the resulting paste directly to the affected area (e.g., for wounds or skin infections).
CRITICAL WARNINGS (Use with Extreme Caution)
- NOT a Food Source: While its seeds are occasionally used as famine food, Eleusine indica is primarily a medicinal herb, not a common food.
- Seek Medical Guidance: Due to its complex pharmacology (including potential anti-cancer and anti-hypertensive activities) and the presence of alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, DO NOT use this plant to self-treat severe conditions like hypertension, infections, or seizures. Always consult a qualified traditional or holistic practitioner before ingesting.
- Identification is Key: Ensure you can correctly identify Eleusine indica before consumption, as misidentification of wild plants is extremely dangerous.