GERANIACEAE
The Geraniaceae or geranium family consists of 11 genera of widely distributed herbs and shrubs. The flowers are bisexual and mostly regular in parts of 5. The botanical name is thought to have been given by Dioscorides from the Greek geranos, meaning a crane, because the seed pods are like that bird's beak. The European species, G. robertianum, G. molle and G. dissectum were used medicinally from medieval times for their astringent and styptic properties but now only G. maculatum is considered important.
Geranium maculatum
American cranesbill
Description
An erect perennial, 30–60 cm tall. A few long stalked 3–5 parted leaves grow from the roots. The flowering stems are straight, hairy, with a single pair of opposite short stalked leaves, cut into 5–7 sections, growing near the top. Above the leaves rise the flower stems bearing several conspicuous rose-purple flowers 2.5–4 cm wide, followed by a 3–4 cm tube with a 5–8 mm beak. A white-flowered form is also known.
Family Geraniaceae
Habitat and cultivation
Native to North America, G. maculatum grows in open woodlands and meadows from New foundland to Georgia and Missouri. It may be grown from seed or root division in any moist, humus-rich soil. Frost and drought resistant.
Parts used
The root and herb are used. The herb is harvested during or just prior to flowering, and the root in the late summer or autumn. The root is stronger than the herb.
1) Tannins up to 30%—mainly hydrolysable gallitannins (15–20%)2
Actions
1) Astringent
2) Antihaemorrhagic
3) Vulnerary
Scientific information
This herb was at one time an official medicine recommended to treat sore throats, colic, ulcers and diarrhoea. Little is known of its other constituents and therefore the pharmacology is limited to the general features of tannins (see Appendix III).
Medicinal uses
Gastro-intestinal tract
- diarrhoea
- melaena
- dysentery
- haematemesis
- mucous colitis
- peptic ulcers
- haemorrhoids
BHP specific for diarrhoea and peptic ulcers.
Reproductive tract
- metrorrhagia
- menorrhagia
Externally
- haemorrhoids
- leucorrhoea (douche)
- indolent ulcers
- bleeding
- burns
Pharmacy
| Three times daily | |
| Infusion of dried herb | – 1–2 g |
| Decoction of dried root | – 1–2 g |
| Tincture 1:5 (root 45%) | – 2–4 ml |
| Fluid extract (root 45%) | – 1–2 ml |
Potter's maximum dosage is much higher being 8 ml fluid extract (root).