Cranesbill

Cranesbill

Cranesbill is a perennial member of the Geranium genus found in the shady and moist deciduous forests of Europe, the United States and Canada. This herb is also known as Wild Geranium, Spotted Geranium, Spotted Cranesbill, American Cranesbill, Dovefoot, Shameface, Storksbill, Alum Root and Old Maid's Nightcap. To add to the confusion, the entire Geranium genus, which presents more than 400 species of annual, biennial and perennial flowering plants, are collectively referred to as cranesbills. However, the plant known as cranesbill valued in traditional herbal medicine is Geranium maculatum.

The medicinal parts of the plant are the dried rhizome and leaf. The active ingredients that lend the plant astringent and hemostyptic (anti-bleeding) properties are gallotannins, which are found in a concentration of up to 30% in the root and up to 28% in the leaf. Early settlers learned how to prepare the herb from Native Americans, who were experienced in using cranesbill to treat diarrhea, hemorrhoids, heavy menstruation, dysentery and peptic ulcers. Cranesbill is also a traditional topical treatment for cold sores and a strong tea of the leaf is used as eyewash. The dried and powdered rhizome and leaf can also be made into a warm poultice to treat swollen veins, skin ulcers and wounds.

A decoction of the dried root and leaf may be taken as a cup of tea, up to three times a day. The tincture may be taken in 2-4 ml doses, up to three times a day, and the liquid extract in 1-2 ml doses, up to three times per day. Note that the blood clotting properties of cranesbill may reduce the effects of prescription anticoagulants. In addition, the high tannin content in the plant may cause stomach upset in some individuals.