> Supplement Index > Avens / Geum urbanum / Chocolate root / City Avens / Clove root / Colewort / Goldy Star / Herb Bennet / Way Bennet / Wild Rye > Avens General Information Avens Uses & Scientific Evidence For Avens Dosage Information Avens Safety & Interaction Information - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Avens General Information Avens is a perennial plant with a single round stem divided into 3 branches that become petioles for yellow and pale pink flowers. The thick, brown root smells like cloves. In the 19th century, the roots of Avens were boiled in wine and used to ward off the plague. A decoction was used for stomach complaints and for venomous bites. They also chewed the root to eliminate bad breath. It was also used to flavor ale and was put in with the linens to keep them smelling fresh and to keep the moths away. Avens root has astringent, styptic, stomachic, antiseptic, sudorific, febrifuge, and tonic properties. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Avens Uses & Scientific Evidence For Today herbalists recommend Avens for a variety of intestinal disturbances such diarrhea and stomach pains, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and dysentery. It stimulates the appetite and works as a tonic when convalescing from illness. A gargle made from the fresh root works well for gum problems, canker sores, halitosis, and infections of the pharnynx and larynx. A wine extract from Avens root promotes digestion in elderly people and works to treat chronic bronchial catarrh and intermittent fever. This herb has been used in a lotion or ointment to soothe hemorrhoids, but Avens can also be used as a douche for treating excessive vaginal discharge. It is also used in a poultice for eczema and skin allergies such as hives. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Avens Dosage Information Avens comes in various forms and is an ingredient in many products. For use as a decoction take 1 teaspoon of the root in 1 cup of boiling water. Drink 3 times a day. In using a tincture, take 1-3 ml 3 times a day. For other formulations read and follow product label directions. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Avens Safety & Interaction Information Avens is generally regarded as safe when taken in the recommended doses; however, if you are taking other medications, it is best to consult with your physician before using this herb to treat your condition. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - -