Geum, Avens

G. urbanum: Herb Bennet, Benedict’s Herb, Colewort, Blessed Herb, Yellow Avens, Wood Avens, Avance, Anancia, Enancia, Caryophyllata
G. rivale: Water Avens, Cure-All, Chocolate root
Picture Geum urbanum
Hand-Atlas Medicinisch-Pharmaceutischer, 1884

Picture Geum urbanum
Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen, Sturm, 1796

Picture Geum root
Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902

Botanical name:


Geum spp.
Several varieties are used, all with very similar properties:
  1. European: G. urbanum
  2. America & Europe: Water Avens, G. rivale (also G. virginianum–White Avens)
  3. Himalayan: G. elatum
  4. Chinese: G. aleppicum (although rarely used)

Parts used:


Herb (fresh or dried)
Rhizome and rootlets (most used)

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral (slightly Warm), dry. Sweet, Pungent, Bitter

Classifications:


2S. STRENGTHENING MEDICINES
3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS
4c. CARDIAC

Constituents:


Volatile Oil inc. Eugenol
Phenolic glycoside (gein)
Gum (9%) similar to Bassorin or Tragacanth was reported; Resin (4%); Tannin (30–40%)

Uses:


1. Benefits Qi, Clears Damp:
-poor appetite, weak digestion, nausea, cold and weak Stomach (Avens wine)
-helps Colic, Stitches and pains in the Sides
-Neurasthenia, general debility, lethargy, convalescence
-‘continued use of it has restorative power in weakness, debility, etc.’ (Grieves)
-‘Ives sates that its long use, restores to health the most shattered and enfeebled constitutions’. (Medical Flora, 1828)
-increase immunity to prevent infection against epidemic disease (Avens Wine, 4–6 oz., three times daily)

2. Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-Dissolves Congealed Blood: bruising, trauma, internal Wounds (decoct in wine)
-Trauma, Bruising
-‘clotted Blood in any part of the body’. (Culpeper)
-Passive Uterine Bleeding, Spitting Blood, Chronic Hemorrhage
-internal remedy for Ulcers and Fistulas
-it was also said to ‘Comfort the Heart’.
-Infertility coming from a Cold and Moist Uterus
-lower back and leg pain

3. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Diarrhea; Dysentery
-Ulcerative Colitis, Catarrhal Colitis
-Leukorrhea
-dries Catarrh

4. Resists Poison:
-Boils, Abscesses, Sores
-Acute Sore Throat
-Intermittent Fever
-Preserves against Epidemic diseases, Plague and Poison

5. Externally:
-decoction as a wash for Spots, Freckles, Acne etc
-root powder is sprinkled on moist and running sores and ulcers
-ointment for Scrofula and cold swellings
-Ulcers and Fistulas


Dose:


1. Herb and Root are used in similar doses
2. Root is boiled in wine to move the Blood.
Decoction: 4–12 grams
Powder: 1–4 grams (up to 6 grams). A dram (3 grams) of the powder has been given every 2 hours for Intermittent Fever.
Fluid Extract of the Root (1:1 in 25% alcohol) 2–5 mls.
Fluid Extract of the Herb: 5 mls.
Juice of the root: 2–4 spoonfuls in wine

Comment:


1. ‘They keep garments from being moth-eaten’. (Culpeper)
2. Previously used to flavor beer.
3. Avens root was a common adulterant of Arnica root.

Substitute:


1. Avens and Tormentil, were used as substitutes for the 2 Behens.
2. Aven root was used as a substitute for Cinchona bark and was found effective in some cases where that had failed. (Grieves)
3. Geranium maculatum
4. Agrimony

Main Combinations:


1. Diarrhea:
i. Avens, Tormentil
ii. Avens, Gum Arabic, Kino, Cinnamon
2. Ulcerative Colitis, Avens, Agrimony
3. Neurasthenia, convalescnce, debility, Water Avens (Geum rivale), Borage, Plantain, Meadowsweet, Wormwood
(Crompton, The Medical Herbalist)
4. Intermittent Fever:
i. Avens, Horsechestnut bark, Willow bark, Calamus (Spielmann)
ii. Avens, Horsechestnut bark, Willow bark, Calamus, Gentian (equal parts) (Hufeland)
iii. Avens root, Willow bark, Rhubarb, Orange peel
iv. Avens root (1 oz.), Cinnamon (1 dram), with Syrup of Orange peel form an electuary. Dose: 1 teaspoonful. (Sobernheim, 1840)
5. Trauma, Wounds:
i. Avens, Comfrey, Madder
ii. Avens, Agrimony, St. Johns wort, Aneglica, Comfrey, Plantain, Tormentil
6. Hemoptysis, Vomiting Blood, Water Avens (Geum rivale), Comfrey, Water Plantain, Mistletoe, Water Betony (Scrophularia betonica) (of each 1 oz.). Simmer in 5 pints of water for half an hour. Dose: a wineglassful 4 times daily. (Crompton, The Medical Herbalist)
7. To Regulate Menstruation, Avens with Lady’s Mantle, Tansy, Dead Nettle (Kroeber)
8. Chlorosis, disorders from Intestinal Worms, Edema, Intermittent Fever, Avens, Wormwood, Blessed Thistle, Centaury, Orange peel, Clove (as in Compound Tincture of Wormwood of Wirtemberg)
9. Catarrh, Avens, Calamus, Marjoram, Elder flower
10. Callus of Ulcers and Fistulas, to cleanse and heal, Avens Root juice (4 oz.), Verdigris (2 drams). Mix and inject in with a syringe. (Salmon)

Major Formulas:


Wine for Catarrh
Decoction for Wounds

Compound Tincture of Avens
  Avens root                 1 ½ oz.
  Angelica root
  Tormentil                   1 oz. each
  Raisins, stoned         2 oz.
  Brandy                       2 pints
Steep for a month in a warm place, strain, press, filter.
Dose: half ounce.

Cautions:


‘It is very safe, you need have no dose prescribed’. (Culpeper)

Main Preparations used:


Tincture

1. Powder of Avens:
i. Avens root, Gum Arabic (half oz. each). Powder. Dose: half dram. (Pharmacopoeia Militaris, 1818)

2. Decoction of Avens:
  Avens root         1 oz.
  Spring Water    1.5 lbs.
Boil to two-thirds (1 lb.), strain, and add Syrup of Orange peel (half ounce). Mix.
Dose: a glassful at a time.

3. Tincture of Avens:
i. Avens (1 oz.), Rectified Spirit (half pound). Steep,, shaking frequently, strain. Dose: half oz.

4. Extract of Avens:
i. Avens (1 part), Water (8 parts). Macerate 24 hours, boil for 15 minutes, express. Boil the residue with 4 parts of water, strain. Mix the two decoctions, set aside for 24 hours, then evaporate to the proper consistency.