Water Avens

Parts Usually Used

Root, dried

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Water avens is a hairy perennial plant; its woody rootstock produces a simple, erect stem from 1-3 feet high with small, sessile, simple or three-cleft leaves. From the rootstock also grow long-petioled, hairy, pinnate leaves with three large terminal, coarsely double-toothed leaflets and one or two pairs of small lower leaflets. At the top of the stem grow from 3-5 purplish flowers on short pedicels, blooming from May to July.

Some varieties have purplish sepals but rose-colored to yellow petals. Blossoms are followed by hooked fruits. Another variety: Rough avens (Geum virginianum) and G. japonicum, both used medicinally like water avens.

Where Found

Found mostly in moist and wet places from Colorado and New Mexico northeastward, and in Canada, Europe and Asia.

Medicinal Properties

Astringent, stomachic, tonic

Legends, Myths and Stories

The amateur giving this plant a cursory glance would not associate it with other plants in the rose family. The dull reddish, nodding flowers characterize the plant. Water avens was once used as a cocoa substitute.

Uses

Historically, the rootstock was prepared with milk and sugar by herbalists who recommended it for diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, and to stimulate appetite and digestion. Traditional practitioners also employed an infusion of the whole plant with the intention of addressing respiratory congestion and nausea. Additionally, the powdered root was once utilized as an astringent for fevers, hemorrhage, and leukorrhea.

Bibliography

The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants , by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992).