112 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



Though the common avens had a great reputation 

 in ancient and mediaeval times as a medicinal plant, we 

 fail to find any special commendation of the water avens. 

 It is either passed over unnoticed, or we are merely told 

 that its properties are similar to those of the common 

 avens. It was, however, often used in olden times to 

 flavour ale and other beverages, its roots, like those of the 

 commoner species, having a somewhat aromatic character, 

 and a slight astringency. It was held to not merely 

 improve the flavour of the home-brewed ale, but also to 

 preserve it from turning sour. 



Our modern herbalists collect the water avens, and we 

 learn that in the United States especially it has a popular 

 reputation, and is held in great esteem as a febrifuge and 

 tonic, in such settlements as that of Eden so graphically 

 described by Dickens. 



