Wood Avens
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Geum urbanum, Herb Bennet, Colewort, herba benedicta, St. Benedict's herb, Geel Nagelkruid, Echte Nelkenwurz, Benoîte commune
Wood avens is a perennial plant belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae) with coarse, dark and clove-like fragrant rhizome.
Special Precautions of Wood Avens
- Because of the high tannin content and the lack of data concerning the possible toxic effect of the herb, wood avens should not be used in excessive doses or for a long period of time.
- The herb has been known to affect the menstrual cycle and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Health Benefits and Uses of Wood Avens
Both the rhizome and the aerial parts of the plant that are used in herbal medicine.
- Astringent: mild diarrhea, symptoms of heavy legs, hemorrhoids
- Desinfectant : Dental pain, Decreased buccal inflammation, sore throat, gingiva or aphthous, enterocolitis
- as a gargle or mouthwash to treat a sore throat and bad breath.
- Menstrual pains and vaginal discharge
- Haemostatic properties it can stop bleedings
- Tonic effect, used as a stimulant of the stomach.
- treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other similar inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- Benaite is also commonly used to mitigate chilblains.
- Wood avens was stated to be a treatment for poison and dog bites. Paracelsus suggested its used against liver disease, catarrh and stomach upsets.
- Geum urbanum herb and roots have been used in the traditional Austrian medicine internally as tea for treatment of rheumatism, gout, infections, and fever.
- Modern herbalists use it to treat diarrhoea, heart disease, halitosis and mouth ulcers, and to prevent colic. Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence.
