Avens
OTHER NAME(S): Benedict's Herb, Bennet's Root, Benoîte Commune, Benoîte Urbaine, Benoîte des Villes, Blessed Herb, Cariofilada, City Avens, Colewort, European Avens, Geum, Herb Bennet, Herbe Bénite, Herbe du Bon Soldat, Herbe à la Fièvre, Herbe de Saint-Benoît, St. Benedict's Herb, Star of the Earth, Way Bennet, Wood Avens, Yellow Avens, Geum urbanum, Hierba de San Benito, Benoîte
Overview
Avens is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground and the roots are used to make medicine.
Avens is used for diarrhea, gas (flatulence), indigestion (dyspepsia), mild gum disease (gingivitis), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, avens is used as a flavoring.
Avens contains chemicals called tannins that help treat diarrhea by reducing swelling (inflammation).
Avens contains chemicals called tannins that help treat diarrhea by reducing swelling (inflammation).
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A mild form of gum disease (gingivitis).
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
- Abnormally heavy bleeding during menstrual periods (menorrhagia).
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Gas (flatulence).
- Gout.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Muscle soreness.
- Nerve pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of avens for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Avens is LIKELY SAFE when used in small amounts as a food flavoring.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if avens is safe, or what the side effects might be, when it is used as a medicine.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Avens is LIKELY SAFE when used in small amounts as a food flavoring.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if avens is safe, or what the side effects might be, when it is used as a medicine.
Pregnancy: Avens is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use when pregnant. It might affect the menstrual cycle and cause a miscarriage.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if avens is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Avens overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of avens depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for avens. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Granica S, Klebowska A, Kosinski M, et al. Effects of Geum urbanum L. root extracts and its constituents on polymorphonuclear leucocytes functions. Significance in periodontal diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 2016;188:1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.030.
- Owczarek A, Gudej J, Kicel A. Composition of essential oil from aerial and underground parts of Geum rivale and G. urbanum growing in Poland. Nat Prod Commun 2013;8(4):505-8.