Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), is a perennial plant used in medicinal herbal medicine and folklore culture. The avens is native to Britain and mainland Europe as well as to Central Asia.
Its root when freshly dug has a strong smell of cloves, and this is the reason for its genus name Geum, which basically means something with a fragrant aroma.
The herbal plant is a family member of the rose or Rosaceae of plants that grow large. Stem of the plant is hairy and red at the bottom.
The roots and rhizomes are harvested in the springtime, when the concentration of eugenol is the strongest and before the appearance of leaves.
The rhizomes are used in their dry form for therapeutic applications. Medicinally, the root of the herb is known to provide anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and aromatic treatment.
The root extract is applied externally as a wash to treat vaginal discharges, skin afflictions such as freckles, spots and eruptions from the face, and haemorrhoids.
There are many uses of the Wood Avens plant. This plant is recommended for relieving menstrual pains due to its homeostatic properties.
This plant treats diarrhoea and bowel infections effectively. It also helps to treat pharyngitis, bronchitis, asthenia, depression, and even cancerous diseases.
Although this plant is beneficial, it can also be a little bit dangerous. Overdosing on this plant can trigger states of nausea.
Also, it is best to consume this plant between meals because when taken for a long period of time it could possibly produce intestinal irritations.
Wood Avens works great as an anti-septic for gargling when having a toothache, abscess in the mouth, stomatitis, gingivitis, and plaque.
The root contains tannin and so it is useful as an astringent for diarrhoea and dysentery as well as for wound healing.
Avens might be unsafe to take if you are pregnant. It seems to affect the menstrual cycle, and this might cause a miscarriage.