Wood Avens - (Geum urbanum) is a perennial plant of the Rosaceae family, native to Europe, Russia and Central Asia and is naturalized in some areas of New Zealand and North America. Wood Avens prefers damp, shady woodlands in temperate climates. It is a somewhat hairy and straggly plant with 5-petaled yellow flowers that perch on the tips of its tall, thin stems. The flowers bloom in May through October, giving way to reddish brown seed pods that hook onto the fur or clothing of passersby, helping to widely distribute seeds. Perhaps because of this tendency, Wood Avens has a habit of following human development. It tends to thrive in parks, gardens and waste areas, often dismissed as a weed and nuisance. This is especially the case in North America, where it is not commonly used in herbalism, but Wood Avens has a long history of use in Europe dating back to Medieval times. Back then, it was known as ‘Herb Benedictine’ or ‘Blessed herb’ because of its many medicinal uses at the time. According to ancient herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, it could ‘ward off the plague or any other poison’. It was believed that Wood Avens could keep the devil at bay, protect from evil spirits, wild dogs and venomous beasts! In modern times, Wood Avens is mainly valued for its mildly sedative and astringent qualities. It can be infused for a relaxing tea to support sleep and digestion, or used topically for minor skin irritations.

Common names: herb bennet, goldy-star-of-the-earth, city avens, wild rye.