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Botanical Name: Geranium maculatum (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Geraniaceae

Synonyms: Alum Root. Spotted Cranesbill. Wild Cranesbill. Storksbill. Alum Bloom. Wild Geranium. Chocolate Flower. Crowfoot. Dove’s-foot. Old Maid’s Nightcap. Shameface.

Other Common Names: Alum Root, Spotted Cranesbill, Geranium, Wild Geranium, Spotted Geranium, Dovefoot, Tormentil, Storksbill, Wild Cranesbill, Crowfoot, American Kino Root, Old Maid’s Nightcap, Shameface, Alum Bloom

Parts Used: Dried rhizome, leaves.
Habitat: Flourishes in low grounds and woods from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Georgia, Missouri and in Europe.The Carolina Cranesbill occurs frequently in the southern half of Illinois, and occasionally elsewhere within the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include rather dry open woodland areas, upland areas of clay prairies, gravel prairies, limestone glades, pastures and abandoned fields, lawns and roadsides, and miscellaneous waste areas. This species responds positively to occasional fires.

Cranesbill Root is a North American herb that has been used in traditional Native American medicine for centuries in the treatment of inflammation and hemorrhoids.

It is a powerful astringent and is useful in restoring venous health, reducing passive bleeding, and treating diarrhea. Cranesbill Root has also been determined to be active against the bacteria that causes tuberculosis

Description:
This is a native annual plant is about 1′ tall, branching occasionally at the base and along the stems. Sometimes the lower stems sprawl along the ground. These stems are round and covered with white hairs. They often become reddish brown as they mature. The opposite leaves are about 3″ long and across. They are palmate, having 3-9 primary lobes. Their margins have coarse, but widely spaced teeth, or additional secondary lobes. The leaves often have a greyish green appearance because of a fine pubescence. Their petioles are usually long and hairy. The flowers occur on short pedicels in small clusters. They are about 1/3″ across, and have 5 petals. Their color varies from dull white to light pink. The dull green sepals are lanceolate with elongated tips, and nearly as long as the petals. The blooming period occurs from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. The seeds develop within a long narrow beak about 1″ long, hence the common name of this plant. Eventually this beak splits open and flings the seeds. The surface of the seeds is finely reticulated. The root system consists of a central taproot.

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A perennial, grows from 1 to 2 feet high. The entire plant is erect and unbranched, more or less covered with hairs; the leaves deeply parted, each division again cleft and toothed, flowering April to June, colour pale to rosy purple, petals veined and woolly at base, fruit a beaked capsule, divided into five cells, each cell containing one seed, the root stocks 2 to 4 inches long thick with numerous branches for the next growth, outside brown, white and fleshy inside when fresh, when dried it turns to a darkish purple inside; no odour, taste strongly astringent, contains much tannin which is most active just before the plant flowers. This is the time the root should be collected for drying.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and dry conditions. The Carolina Cranesbill prefers poor soil that is gravelly, sandy, or contains hardpan clay, as this reduces competition from other plants. It develops rapidly from seed and may reseed itself aggressively in sterile areas with little vegetation. Soil with a high pH is tolerated.

Constituents: Tannic and gallic acid, also starch, sugar, gum, pectin and colouring matter.

History and Uses:
Cranesbill is native to North America and grows to about two feet in height with an erect stem that is unbranched, and with leaves that are deeply divided and toothed.

Cranesbill has pinkish-purple flowers that grow in pairs in late Spring, giving way to a

pod that is divided into five cells with a seed in each. Cranesbill is a strong astringent,

due to its high tannin content, and was introduced to medicine by the Native American Indians. Knowledgeable American physicians still use it to reduce inflammation of

mucous membranes, curb irritation of hemorrhoidal tissue and to restore venous health.

Cranesbill is an especially powerful astringent for passive bleeding, as occurs in hematuria, hemotysis and menorrhagia, and it has a potent healing effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract. Cranesbill has been found to be active against tuberculosis bacteria, and it was also relied on by early American Indians to treat diarrhea, dysentery and leukorrhea, among other conditions.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Styptic, astringent, tonic. Used for piles and internalbleeding. Excellent as an injection for flooding and leucorrhoea, and taken internally for diarrhoea, children’s cholera, chronic dysentery; a good gargle.

The leaves are also used and give the greatest percentage of tannin and should be collected before the plant seeds.

Dosages; 15 to 30 grains. Infusion, 1 OZ. herb to 1 pint water. Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Geranin, 1 to 3 grains.

Contraindications:
Cranesbill is not recommended for long-term use, as excessive use may cause liver damage.

Other Species:
The English herb Geranium dissectum (click to see details……..(1)….(2)...(3)…(4) )has similar properties.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider
Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/crane115.html
http://viableherbalsupplements.com/singles/herbs/s357.htm
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/carolina_cranebill.htm

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