Geum urbanum

Geum urbanum

The Wood Avens (Geum urbanum L.) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Rosaceae family.

Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to the Eukaryota Domain, Plantae Kingdom, Tracheobionta Subregion, Spermatophyta Superdivision, Magnoliophyta Division, Magnoliopsida Class, Rosidae Subclass, Rosales Order, Rosales Order, Rosaceae Family, Rosoideae Subfamily and therefore to the Genus Geum and the Species G. urbanum.

Etymology –
The term Geum comes from the Greek γεῦμα gheúma, which means tasting, taste, good taste.
The specific epithet urbanum, comes from urbs, úrbis city: of cities, due to its widespread presence in urban environments.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat –
The Wood Avens is a plant present in Europe or in the Middle East and is distributed in cold and temperate-cold areas and is widespread especially at the edges of the woods in northern Italy, while it is very difficult to find elsewhere in Italy. Its habitat is from the sea to the mountain area (up to 1600 meters) in the deciduous forests, in the maquis, in the abandoned lands, along the walls and in general in cool and shady places.

Description –
Geum urbanum is a perennial, hairy herbaceous species, which grows between 30 and 100 cm in height and has a root with an aromatic carnation smell.
The stem is erect, branchy, leafy.
The basal leaves are pinnate with 5-7 unequal segments, the largest terminal, with toothed margin; the cauline minor leaves are tripartite or completely divided into three ovate or lanceolate segments, with large, leafy and subrotate stipules at the base.
The flowers are solitary, numerous, with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm, with green calyx with lacinias reflected after flowering and yellow petals, obovate, equal to the calyx or shorter.
Pollination is entomophilous, especially by bees.
The antesis is between May and July.
The fruit is an acheneto (polyachene) formed by numerous achenes of 3-4.5 x 1.4-1.5 mm, with few hairs, topped by the 6-7 mm stylus divided into two articles, the persistent of which has ended from a curved thorn similar to a hook.

Cultivation –
The Wood Avens is a spontaneous perennial herb that grows mainly in cold and temperate-cold climates up to an altitude of 1600 m. s.l.m.
It therefore limits us to the harvesting phase which must preferably take place at the end of winter and early spring since it is in that period that the fragrance is most accentuated.
In any case, the plant can also be propagated through the root system and easily tends to hybridize in nature with other species of the same genus such as rival Geum.
In this case, however, the result is of a hybrid that has a lower quality root and a lighter or almost non-existent perfume.

Uses and Traditions –
The Wood Avens, known locally as ambretta, carnation or blessed herb. According to some, the latter term is linked to the fact that it was cultivated mainly by the Benedictines in their monasteries, when wild herbs were grown and therefore not really wild and became part of the so-called alchemy of the simple. For other authors the original name was assigned to it to be an antidote, alluding to a legend related to San Benedetto. It is said that once a monk offered San Benedetto a glass of poisoned wine but when the saint blessed him the poison, being a sort of evil spirit, flew away with such force that the glass chalice shattered into a thousand pieces, revealing so the crime hidden in the poisoning.
In the folklore of the countries, especially in northern Europe, this plant was once attributed the power to drive away evil spirits and protect themselves from angry dogs and poisonous snakes. It was also associated with Christianity because its leaves grew in three and its petals in five (reminiscent of the Holy Trinity and the Five Wounds respectively).
Astrologically, it was said to be governed by Jupiter, linked to the Earth element, representing expansiveness and joviality, confidence in life and joie de vivre, growth, maturity and development, and enrichment.
This link is due to the fact that Jupiter governs the liver, which produces energy through the processing of sugars; also Jupiter rules the head, since in the Olympus of the gods Jupiter is the head, the lord of all other deities.
According to this tradition, all herbs related to the liver and the head, such as the artichoke and the walnut, are connected to Jupiter.
During the course of human history, Geum urbanum mainly collected the root as a flavoring spice in soups and in particular, in northern countries and especially in the United Kingdom, to flavor beer.
In herbal medicine the wood of this plant has been declared useful in the treatment for poison and dog bites. Paracelsus has suggested its use against liver disease, phlegm and stomach upset.
Both the leaves and the roots of the Geum urbanum have been used in the internal medicine of the Austrian tradition as a tea, for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, infections and fever.
Modern herbalists also use it to treat diarrhea, heart disease, bad breath and mouth ulcers and to prevent colic. Clearly, not all of these uses are still supported by scientific evidence.
In ancient times it was also worn as an amulet, because, as written in the Ortus Sanitatis (published in 1491) “Where the root takes up residence Satan can do nothing and flies away from it, so it is blessed before all other herbs , and if a man carries the root with him no poisonous beast can harm him. ”
In the Tudor era in the UK it was customary to hang bunches of Geum urbanum with all the roots in the closets to ward off moths.
Evidently, strong protective powers were attributed to this plant: powers to ward off demons and, if we look at it with modern eyes, we are not far from the truth. Indeed, the blessed herb has powerful constituents that ward off disease.
It is in fact an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic and tonic herb.
The pulverized root has long been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of fever.
Adding it to a set of herbs to make an herbal tea, for example with elderberry, Filipendula ulmaria and also a little linden, it is useful for sweating and lowering the temperature in case of fever.
The high content of tannins makes Geum urbanum an astringent herb, to be used specifically to treat problems affecting the mouth, throat and gastro-intestinal tract. It fortifies inflamed gums, heals aphthae and stomatitis, is excellent for gargling in case of mouth and throat infections and reduces irritation of the stomach and intestines.
In Dutch, the blessed herb is called nagelkruid and the clove kruidnagel: it is well known that the root of Geum urbanum is reminiscent of cinnamon, but above all the clove, above all in its smell. In fact, it contains eugenol, which has antibacterial properties. It is precisely eugenol that, in combination with tannins, makes it excellent for mouth infections.
The parts used are tender leaves, fresh in mixed salads; boiled in soups and soups, to be collected in the period of March – May.

Preparation method –
If you use the root of Geum urbanum, it must be carefully cleaned to remove any soil residues and handled with great care as volatile oils could get lost during the process, just like during the drying process.
The roots should be dried whole and chopped or ground only after, before use. You can use a grinder to use them as if they were cinnamon powder. Historically this was the way they were used as a flavoring for beer by Anglo-Saxons.
If you are in the period of the year when the roots cannot be harvested, these can also be harvested green, before the plant goes into bloom.
The thinnest roots are the most fragrant ones while the part of the roots attached to the plant does not give any flavor and has no perfume.
The leaves can be used raw in salads or soups.
Mouthwashes can also be prepared.
In this case you will have to fill a glass jar halfway with Geum urbanum roots washed and made into small pieces and covered with vodka or gin (no matter what type of alcohol you use, the important thing is that it has a gradation of about 40% ). Care must be taken that all roots are covered with liquid.
At this point you must leave to infuse for 6 weeks, at the end of which you will filter with a linen cloth or a clean tea towel. Pour into a dark glass bottle and label.
It is used by putting a teaspoon in half a glass of water to make simple rinses after brushing your teeth, and so it is excellent for fortifying the gums. In case of infection you will use a spoonful, and also to gargle in case of sore throat, which by rinsing twice a day passes in 24 hours.
The preparation of a winter herbal tea from the woods is also interesting.
The ingredients are: two roots of Rumex crispus, two roots of Geum urbanum, a handful of dried mulberries, two sticks of cinnamon, a piece of ginger root, a spoonful of green tea leaves or chopped Geum urbanum leaves; black pepper to taste (optional); a liter of water (or four cups).
The procedure consists of bringing the water to a boil with all the ingredients inside. Turn off the heat when it comes to a boil and place the pan with all the liquid inside and the lid on a blanket. If you want a light herbal tea after ten minutes, if not after thirty minutes for a nice strong herbal tea, remove the lid.
The water will have a black color and the aroma will be strong and very pleasant.
This can be drunk as it is (if you like the bitter taste) otherwise you can sweeten it with a natural sweetener but also with almond milk.
Be careful, because hellebore often grows in the woods near the blessed grass. The latter is extremely toxic if not deadly. The leaves of the two plants are very different but the roots are very similar, so collect only the roots attached to the plant so as not to be mistaken.
In any case it is recommended not to abuse it but to use it with the due proportions and quantities.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Tips and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (edited by), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for information purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; therefore, no responsibility is accepted for their use for healing, aesthetic or food purposes.