Knotgrass Herb | Polygonum aviculare

What Is Knotgrass?

Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare), also called common knotgrass or prostrate knotweed, is a hardy annual plant of the knotweed family. It grows almost everywhere in the temperate world: along footpaths, farm tracks, field edges and between paving stones, where it survives being walked on day after day.

The plant forms low mats of wiry, jointed stems with small, oval blue-green leaves and tiny pink-white flowers tucked into the leaf joints. The name Polygonum means many knees, after the swollen joints along the stems, and aviculare refers to birds, which eat its seeds.

Knotgrass has a long history in the folk herbal traditions of Europe and Asia. In European herbal trade the dried herb is known as Polygoni avicularis herba, and in Chinese herbal practice it is called bian xu. In Eastern Europe, it is still a familiar ingredient in household herbal teas.

As a tea, knotgrass is mild, grassy and slightly astringent. It is usually enjoyed in blends with other meadow herbs such as horsetail, nettle or mint, and it can also be enjoyed on its own with a little honey.

Our knotgrass herb contains only the dried herb with nothing added. It is sold by weight, from small packs to bulk.