224. Geum urbanum.—Avens. European avens.
Botanical name:
224. GEUM URBANUM.—AVENS. EUROPEAN AVENS. The rhizome of Ge'um urba'num Linné. Habitat: Europe. Short, oblong, hard, with a dark-brown, warty, and scaly surface; a cross-section shows a thin bark, and a large, reddish pith surrounded by a circle of whitish wood, The rootlets are long and fibrous, light brown in color, and have a comparatively thicker bark. Odor aromatic, slightly clove-like when fresh, but nearly absent when dry; taste aromatic, bitter, and astringent. Used as an astringent and tonic. Dose: 15 to 45 gr. (1 to 3 Gm.), in powder or decoction.
