Avens

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Benedict's Herb, Bennet's Root, Benoîte, Benoîte Commune, Benoîte Urbaine, Benoîte des Villes, Cariofilada, Colewort, Geum, Geum urbanum, Herb Bennet, Herbe Bénite, Herbe du Bon Soldat, Herbe à la Fièvre, Herbe de Saint-Benoît, Hierba de San Benito.

Overview

Avens is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Avens is used to treat diarrhea, colitis, uterine bleeding, and fevers.

In foods, avens is used as a flavoring.

How does it work?

Avens contains chemicals called tannins that help treat diarrhea by reducing swelling (inflammation).

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of avens for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

Avens is safe when used in small amounts as a food flavoring. There isn't enough information to know if it is safe when used in larger medicinal amounts.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Avens might be UNSAFE to take if you are pregnant. It seems to affect the menstrual cycle, and this might cause a miscarriage.

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.

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.