Herbs and plantsAvens — a clove-scented root for diarrhea and gums?
- Henryk Różański — Rhizoma Gei = Rhizoma Caryophyllatae – kłącze kuklika
- Avens Root (Geum Urbanum L.) Extract Discovered by Target-Based Screening Exhibits Antidiabetic Activity in the Hen's Egg Test Model and Drosophila melanogaster. · Front Pharmacol 2021
- Mechanistic study of the inhibitory activity of Geum urbanum extract against α-Synuclein fibrillation. · Biochim Biophys Acta 2016
- Evaluation of Geum urbanum L. Extracts with Respect to Their Antimicrobial Potential. · Chem Biodivers 2022
- Antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of different solvent extracts of the medicinal plant Geum urbanum L. · Chem Cent J 2017
- Redox-Modulating Capacity and Effect of Ethyl Acetate Roots and Aerial Parts Extracts from Geum urbanum L. on the Phenotype Inhibition of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Las/RhI Quorum Sensing System. · Plants (Basel) 2025
- Inhibition of the MRSA Biofilm Formation and Skin Antineoplastic Activity of Ethyl Acetate Roots and Aerial Parts Extracts from Geum urbanum L. · Antibiotics (Basel) 2025
- Cardiogenic effects of characterized Geum urbanum extracts on adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells. · Biochem Cell Biol 2018
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Henryk Różański notes that avens rhizome helps with diarrhea and inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
- He also mentions intestinal cramps, indigestion, inflammation of the throat and mouth.
- He describes its use for skin problems, wounds that are difficult to heal, hemorrhoids, and excessive menstrual bleeding.
- He also attributes anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, and antibacterial effects to it, as well as support for digestion and bile secretion.
What the authors write
A decoction of avens rhizomes is said to help with diarrhea and inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
An infusion of the rhizomes and herb is said to stimulate digestion and bile secretion.
A rhizome decoction is said to have an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect on the skin and to help with weeping eczema and wounds that are difficult to heal.
A rinse made from the decoction is said to help with periodontal disease and inflammation of the throat and mouth, as well as reduce bad breath and oral thrush.
Drinking the decoction is said to prevent putrefaction and excessive fermentation in the intestines.
A decoction can be used as a vaginal douche for vaginal and vulvar inflammation, and as an eye compress for inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva.
An intrakt made from the rhizomes is indicated for intestinal cramps and indigestion, as well as for rinsing the mouth and throat and caring for skin lesions.
A decoction is listed for use in inflammation of the throat and digestive tract, and for peptic ulcers.
A decoction is also listed for excessive menstrual bleeding and hemorrhoids.
A decoction is also indicated for cancer, especially of the digestive system.
Eugenol is said to have disinfectant, astringent, and antibacterial effects, while avens tannins are anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 7 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 14.
Avens root extract lowered glucose levels in an in-ovo model and triglyceride levels in fruit flies.
Aim of the study: Medicinal plant extracts are becoming increasingly important as an alternative to traditional drugs against diabetes mellitus (DM). For this reason, we initiated a target-based screening of 111 root extracts from an open-access plant extract library (PECKISH) by determining their inhibitory efficacy against α-glucosidase in vitro.
Results: Most importantly, only avens root extract exhibited antidiabetic activity in the two in-vivo models, lowering blood glucose levels in the in-ovo model and triglyceride levels in a dietary starch-induced D. melanogaster obesity model. HPLC analysis of the polyphenolic composition of the avens root extract revealed a high content of ellagic acid and its derivatives, as well as ellagitannins such as pedunculagin, stenophyllanin, stachyurin, casuarinin, and gemin A. In conclusion, avens root extract is a promising medicinal plant that should be considered in further in-vivo studies on hyperglycemia in laboratory rodents and humans.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In laboratory conditions, avens extract inhibited the formation of α-synuclein fibrils and partly broke down fibrils that had already formed.
Aim of the study: The presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites is a major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease and is hypothesized to be linked to disease development, although this is not yet conclusive. Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites primarily consist of fibrillated α-Synuclein; yet, there is no treatment available targeting stabilization of α-Synuclein in its native state.
Results: Since the extract is a complex mixture, structure-function relationships could not be determined. Under the experimental conditions investigated, Geum urbanum was found to inhibit α-Synuclein fibrillation in a concentration-dependent way and to partly disintegrate preformed α-Synuclein fibrils. Based on the structural changes of α-Synuclein in the presence of the extract, we propose that Geum urbanum delays α-Synuclein fibrillation either by reducing the fibrillation ability of one or more aggregation-prone intermediates or by directing α-Synuclein aggregation toward a non-fibrillar state. However, whether these changes to the fibrillation pathway lead to less pathogenic species remains to be determined.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In a laboratory study, high-molecular-weight tannins from avens roots and rhizomes showed the greatest antibacterial activity among the fractions tested.
Aim of the study: Preparations derived from roots and rhizomes of Geum urbanum L. are traditionally used for the treatment of ulcers and irritations of mucous membranes of the mouth, stomach, and intestinal tract.
Results: In addition, the antibacterial activity of various extracts of fresh and dried G. urbanum roots and rhizomes against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Cutibacterium acnes (CP033842.1; FDAARGOS 503 chromosome) was assessed and compared to that of G. rivale. Furthermore, low- and high-molecular-weight tannins were fractionated by column chromatography, showing that the latter had the highest antibacterial activity.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Fractions from avens root extracts inhibited the growth of some bacteria and showed antioxidant activity in laboratory studies.
Aim of the study: Many Geum species are known to be rich in biologically active compounds and therefore could be a source of new natural products with pharmacological potential. The medicinal plant Geum urbanum L.
Results: urbanum. Our results reveal that G. urbanum L. is a promising medicinal plant and deserves further, more detailed studies.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In laboratory conditions, avens root extract limited biofilm formation, pigment production, and motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
Aim of the study: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes nosocomial infections of the urinary tract, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, etc. It is possible to develop bacteremia and sepsis in immunocompromised patients.
Results: Interestingly, the genes were inhibited by two extracts at 3.12 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL. Antiradical studies, assessed by DPPH, CUPRAC, and ABTS radical-scavenging methods and superoxide anion inhibition, showed that the EtOAcAP extract has effective antioxidant capacity. These results could help in the development of new phytocomplexes that could be used as biocontrol agents to inhibit the phenotype of the P. aeruginosa QS system and other antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Avens root extracts inhibited MRSA biofilm formation at concentrations that did not affect bacterial growth.
Aim of the study: Background: The opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus causes skin and soft tissue infections that are associated with biofilm formation, and in immunocompromised patients can progress to surgical site infections, pneumonia, bacteremia, sepsis, and even death.
Results: The EtOAcAP extract showed a more favorable cytotoxic profile on non-tumorigenic cells and stronger antineoplastic activity (IC50 = 6.7–14.68 µg/mL) compared with the EtOAcR extract (IC50 = 8.73–23.67 µg/mL). Therefore, a skin irritation test was performed with the EtOAcAP extract at concentrations ten times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration; the primary irritation index was zero (no skin irritation observed). Conclusions: The EtOAcAP extract proved to be an effective antistaphylococcal agent with good skin tolerance. The extract showed strong antineoplastic activity and an antibiofilm effect at sub-MICs, offering new prospects for its development as a natural product for specific skin applications in medical practice.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Avens root extract increased the level of markers associated with differentiation into heart cells in cultured stem cells.
Aim of the study: Stem cell therapy is considered a promising treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have the ability to undergo cardiomyogenesis.
Results: According to HPLC fingerprinting, some cardiogenic effects of G. urbanum extracts are probably due to ellagic and gallic acid derivatives. Our findings indicated that G. urbanum extracts effectively upregulated some essential cardiogenic markers, which confirmed the therapeutic role of this plant as a traditional cardiac medicine.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.