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Avens - The Healing power of herbs – Ceres Esplan

Aves (Geum urbanum),Wood avens, Herb Bennet, Goldy star, Clove root.

This whole perennial herb is used as an infusion for curative purposes, especially for diarrhoea and dysentery.

It is also recommended as a gargle as it has astringent and antiseptic properties.

The roor has a clove like fragrance and used to be dried and powdered to put in moth deterring bags among stored winter clothing.

It was also used as a cordial against the plague, when the roots were boiled in water and in the old days earned the title of ‘snake-bane’ for its use in keeping off venomous beasts, including serpents.

Avens is found wild in Britain in woods, hedgerows and even in untidy gardens.  Other species of Avens common in the USA are found in md altitude forest meadowlands usually near water.

Avens has an unassuming yellow starry small flower followed by a head of hooked fruits and was once thought to be one of the holy herbs.