Cranesbill Root, American

February 19th, 2008

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.
Parts Used: Dried rhizome, leaves.
Habitat: Flourishes in low grounds and woods from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Georgia, Missouri and in Europe.

Description:Cranesbill is growing from 1 to 2 feet high, as well as long-petioled basal leaves. Both basal and stem leaves are deeply 5- to 7-parted, with coarsely toothed, pointed lobes. The rose-purple flowers grow in pairs on axillary peduncles from April to July.

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A perennial, 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.

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

Medicinal Action and Uses: Astringent, styptic. Spotted cranebill root is a strong astringent for both internal and external use. Internally, it is helpful against diarrhea and hemorrhage. It also makes a good mouthwash and gargle for sore throat, gum problems, and throat and mouth sores. One tribe of American Indians used a decoction of wild grape and spotted cranebill root as a mouthwash for children who had thrush. The powdered root is an purposeive blood coagulant and can be used to stop external bleeding.

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.

Other Species:
The English herb Geranium dissectum 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://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/crane115.html
http://www.newvita.com/ingredients/a1.html
http://www.spiritapothecary.com/crane01.html