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Geum urbanum is a perennial plant belonging to the Rosaceae family, used since the Middle Ages because of the widespread belief that it's roots and rhizomes are carrier of magical properties.
In our region, this plant is commonly known as a Bennet grass.
We can find it in shady areas, in decidious forests of Europe and in the Middle East.
In our region we can find it in all the area except the western part of Catalonia.
Also we can find Geum urbanum in zones near people.
Bennet grass needs a significant nitrogent content and a acidity of soil.
It can live in different heights, since the sea level until 1500m.
Geum urbanum is an herbaceous plant with a hairy indumentum. It's about 20-60cm height.
Herbaceous texture of the leafs, trilobed.
Solitary flowers, 1-2 cm of diameter, actinomorphic symmetry and a differenciated peryant with 5 petals and 5 sepals.
The fruit consists of a set of nutlets with a kind of hooks that can attach to the skin of some animals.
It's flowering period is between May and October.
We can say that the plant drug of Geum urbanum is precisely the root and rhizome.
Geum urbanum contains several sugars, glycosides, galic acid and tannins. It also has an essential oil content, which 80% is eugenol.
It has antidiarrheal properties, local hemostatic, appetizer, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory.
It is indicated against stomach pains and anorexia.
It has a lot of tannins, so it has healting properties, but can even be toxic causing vomit.
The drug part of Geum urbanum is usually given by decoctions and or infusions.