Avens Interactions Overview

Avens is a perennial shrub native to central and southern Europe, central Asia, and North America. Traditionally, it has been used for gastrointestinal conditions like diarrhea, flatulence, and dyspepsia, though strong evidence is lacking. The herb is typically prepared as a tea, steeping 1-4 grams of dried herb in boiling water, or boiling one-half to 1 teaspoon of dried root powder in water for 10 minutes. The dried flowering herb and roots are used, containing resins, tannins, volatile oil, and eugenol. Avens roots also contain various compounds like ellagitannins, ellagic acid derivatives, and procyanidins. Its tannins might contribute to antidiarrheal effects, while compounds like gemin A have shown anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating neutrophils and reducing inflammatory markers in vitro.