Cranesbill ~ Geranium maculatum

Cranesbill

Latin name: Geranium maculatum

Family: Geraniaceae

Part used: root, herb

Habitat: USA

Main constituents: tannins, including gallic acid

Energetics: cooling

Main herbal actions: styptic, astringent

Minor herbal actions: vulnerary, tonic

Main medicinal uses: diarrhea, internal or external bleeding (epistaxis, menorrhagia)

Minor medicinal uses: leukorrhea, gastric and duodenal ulcers, hemorrhoids

Preparations: Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol, 10% glycerin] in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon doses, up to qid; Strong decoction, 1-4 ounces, up to qid, capsules: up to 7 grams qd

Contraindications: generally safe

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/cook/GERANIUM_MACULATUM.htm; http://www.naturalhealthnotebook.com/Herbs/Latin_Herbs/Genus-G/Geranium_maculatum.htm

Cranesbill Module 2 lecture

• Major use in Western Herbalism is as an astringent, and for Diarrhea
• May be the most astringent plant in all of herbalism

Cranesbill Module 3 ~ notes page 32

Astringent herbs include:

Cranesbill Root, Turmeric, Black walnut bark, White oak bark