City Buckthorn (Geum urbanum)

Other names: chrysalis, Benedict's chrysalis

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

The city chrysanthemum, also known as the medicine chrysanthemum or the Benedict's chrysanthemum, is a perennial herb of the rose family. It is native to Europe and Asia, but is now found virtually worldwide. In the Czech Republic, it is most often found in meadows, bushes, forest edges, but also on human settlements, where it can sometimes be seen growing among the pavement. Up to 60 cm tall, it has leaves decorated with brownish-red hairs and light yellow leaves measuring up to 2.5 cm in diameter, also small fruits that resemble nuts. It flowers from May to August.

Since ancient times, the town cuckoo has been used for medicinal purposes. Its root contains many active substances, including tannins, essential oil, resins, bitter substances, acids and vitamins. This makes it widely used in folk medicine. Its active substances have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects, promote digestion, stimulate bile secretion and also counteract cramps. In medicine it is mainly used in the form of tea mixtures, tinctures and ointments. It is most commonly used to treat diseases of the digestive system, gallbladder, kidneys and urinary tract. It is also often used in cosmetics, where its anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects are exploited, for example in skin creams, soaps and balms.