Avens, Bennett’s Root (Geum urbanum L.)
Overview
Avens, commonly known as Bennett’s Root, is a perennial herb that has been utilized in traditional medicine for its numerous therapeutic properties. Its roots and leaves are primarily employed for their health benefits.
Medicinal Activity
Avens is characterized by a wide array of medicinal activities, including:
• Antidiarrheal: Effective in reducing diarrhea.
• Antihemorrhagic: Helps control bleeding.
• Antipyretic: Reduces fever.
• Antiseptic: Prevents infection.
• Astringent: Tightens tissues and reduces secretions or bleeding.
• Digestive: Aids in digestion and gastrointestinal health.
• Hypotensive: Lowers blood pressure.
• Stomachic: Promotes healthy stomach function.
• Styptic: Stops bleeding from small wounds.
• Tonic: Strengthens the body and improves vitality.
• Antidiarrheal: Effective in reducing diarrhea.
• Antihemorrhagic: Helps control bleeding.
• Antipyretic: Reduces fever.
• Antiseptic: Prevents infection.
• Astringent: Tightens tissues and reduces secretions or bleeding.
• Digestive: Aids in digestion and gastrointestinal health.
• Hypotensive: Lowers blood pressure.
• Stomachic: Promotes healthy stomach function.
• Styptic: Stops bleeding from small wounds.
• Tonic: Strengthens the body and improves vitality.
Therapeutic Indication
Avens is indicated for a variety of health issues, such as:
• Ague: Malaria or similar fevers.
• Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation.
• Anemia: Supports blood health.
• Anorexia: Helps stimulate appetite.
• Asthma: Provides relief from respiratory symptoms.
• Atony: Refers to a lack of muscle tone or strength.
• Bleeding: Effective for various types of bleeding.
• Cancer: Supportive in managing symptoms associated with cancer.
• Cholera: Used in managing this severe gastrointestinal infection.
• Colic: Relieves severe abdominal pain.
• Colitis: Supports treatment of colon inflammation.
• Diarrhea: Treats both acute and chronic diarrhea.
• Dysentery: Aids in the management of severe diarrhea with blood.
• Fever: Reduces fever symptoms.
• Hemorrhoids: Provides relief from symptoms.
• High Blood Pressure: Helps manage hypertension.
• Infection: Offers antiseptic properties.
• Inflammation: Alleviates inflammation in various conditions.
• Sore Throat: Provides relief from throat irritation.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Aids in managing this inflammatory bowel condition.
• Wounds: Promotes healing of minor cuts and abrasions.
• Ague: Malaria or similar fevers.
• Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation.
• Anemia: Supports blood health.
• Anorexia: Helps stimulate appetite.
• Asthma: Provides relief from respiratory symptoms.
• Atony: Refers to a lack of muscle tone or strength.
• Bleeding: Effective for various types of bleeding.
• Cancer: Supportive in managing symptoms associated with cancer.
• Cholera: Used in managing this severe gastrointestinal infection.
• Colic: Relieves severe abdominal pain.
• Colitis: Supports treatment of colon inflammation.
• Diarrhea: Treats both acute and chronic diarrhea.
• Dysentery: Aids in the management of severe diarrhea with blood.
• Fever: Reduces fever symptoms.
• Hemorrhoids: Provides relief from symptoms.
• High Blood Pressure: Helps manage hypertension.
• Infection: Offers antiseptic properties.
• Inflammation: Alleviates inflammation in various conditions.
• Sore Throat: Provides relief from throat irritation.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Aids in managing this inflammatory bowel condition.
• Wounds: Promotes healing of minor cuts and abrasions.
Prepration & Usage
The recommended dosages for Avens are as follows:
• Herb in Tea: 1 g, taken three times a day.
• Liquid Herb Extract: 1–4 ml (1:1 in 25% alcohol).
• Tincture: 10–15 drops, two to three times a day.
• Hot Water Preparation: 0.5–1 tsp, taken several times a day.
• Liquid Root Extract: 1–4 ml.
• Herb in Tea: 1 g, taken three times a day.
• Liquid Herb Extract: 1–4 ml (1:1 in 25% alcohol).
• Tincture: 10–15 drops, two to three times a day.
• Hot Water Preparation: 0.5–1 tsp, taken several times a day.
• Liquid Root Extract: 1–4 ml.
Safety & Considerations
While Avens is generally considered safe, certain precautions should be noted:
• Pregnancy and Lactation: Its potential effects on the menstrual cycle suggest that it should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.
• Excess Tannin Use: Caution is advised to avoid excessive use due to its tannin content.
• Side Effects: No significant hazards or side effects have been recorded for proper therapeutic dosages.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: Its potential effects on the menstrual cycle suggest that it should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.
• Excess Tannin Use: Caution is advised to avoid excessive use due to its tannin content.
• Side Effects: No significant hazards or side effects have been recorded for proper therapeutic dosages.
Conclusion
Avens is a versatile medicinal herb with a rich history of use in herbal medicine, offering numerous benefits for digestive health, bleeding control, and inflammation. While it is generally safe, it is essential to be mindful of contraindications, especially regarding pregnancy. For personalized advice or specific health concerns, consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended.