Geranium
Botanical Description & Habitat
Geranium maculatum (related: G. robertianum)
Family
Gerianiaceae
Common Names
| Alum bloom | Alum root |
| American tormentil | Chocolate flower |
| Cranesbill | Crowfoot |
| Dove's foot | Herb robert |
| Shameface | Spotted cranesbill |
| Spotted geranium | Stork bill |
| Wild cranesbill | Wild geranium |
Habitat
Found in rich woods, thickets, meadows, and along fences. It is native to the United States and is very common in woodlands over most of North America.
Description
The hairy stem grows one to two feet in height and bears dark green palmately-lobed leaves. The rootstock also produces long, petioled basal leaves. Both basal and stem leaves have deep clefts and tooth, pointed lobes. Rosy-purple flowers bloom in June and grow in pairs on axillary peduncles.
Medicinal Parts
Root and fresh plant, collected May to August.
Historical Properties & Uses
Geranium, a strong astringent, was introduced to American medicine by the native Americans. Physicians still use it to reduce inflammation of mucous membranes, curb irritation of hemorrhoidal tissue and to restore or rejuvenate vascular health.
Geranium is an especially powerful astringent for passive bleeding, as occurs in hematuria, hemoptysis and menorrhagia, and has a strong healing effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract. It is often used to treat canker sores. It was official in the USA from 1820-1916, and in the NF from 1916-1936.
The main uses of geranium are as an astringent and styptic, both internally and externally. Used to fight diarrhea and hemorrhage, as a mouth wash and gargle for sore mouth, throat and gums, and has found successful application in cases of gingivitis and stomatosis. Sedative properties have also been reported in herbals.
Occasionally prepared from fresh plant as compress or as a wash for eye conditions, skin eruptions, herpes and the like.
Method of Action
Geranium tannins are responsible for most properties
Geranium contains large amounts of tannin (10-28% in root) which is responsible for astringent, styptic, anti-diarrheal and anti-hemorrhoidal properties.
Geranium has antibiotic properties
Routine screening tests have shown considerable capability for geranium to inhibit the growth of certain strains of bacterias. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, B. mesentericus, B. subtilus, and P. vulgaris, though it can not be considered one of the best plant antibacterial substances.
Geranium species have hypotensive activity
Several fractions of G. macrorrhizum L., a related species of geranium showed significant hypotensive action in experimentally induced hypertension, especially the non-volatile fractions, apparently through a direct effect on vascular smooth muscles. Low toxicity was seen, making the substances studied worth consideration for cardiotonic and hypotensive use. Other geranium species studied also had hypotensive action, but less than G. macrorrhizum.
In the British Pharmacopoeia the herb and root are recognized as astringent, anti-hemorrhage, vulnerary, and recommended for use in cases of diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, duodenal ulcerations, hematemesis, melaena, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and topically for leucorrhea (as douche) and indolent ulcers. Combined with geum, agrimonia or comfrey root to treat ulcers, and with trillium as a douche for leucorrhea.
In Germany, proprietary preparations often contain boldo, turmeric, fumitory, and dandelion and are used as a combined treatment for gastrointestinal ailments.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
The oxytocic-like action of this herb may produce neonatal jaundice which would interfere with serum bilirubin test results.
Possible Interactions
In conjunction with ACTH or corticosteroids, this diuretic is more prone to produce hypokalemia.
The pressor effect of this sympathomimetic agent may be markedly potentiated by MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Geranium is high in tannic acid; therefore, this herb should only be used in moderation.
Preparation & Administration
Use three times daily
Decoction
Use 1-2g of dried rhizome
Liquid Extract
Use 1-2ml of 1:1 in 45% alcohol
Tincture
Use 2-4ml of 1:5 in 45% alcohol
References
Braun, H. & D. Frohne. Heilplanzen-Lexikon Fuer Aerzte und Apotheker. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1987.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.
Duke, J.A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 1985.
Fitzpatrick, F.K. Plant substances active against mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antibiotics and Chemotherapy, 4(5), 528-536, 1954.
Ieven, M., D.A. Vanden Berghe, F. Mertens, A. Viletinck & E. Lammens. Screening of higher plants for biological activities. I. Antimicrobial activity. Plant Media, 36, 311-321, 1979.
Manolov, P., V. Petkov & S. Ivancheva. Studies on the central depressive action of methanol extract from geranium macrorrhizum L. Comptes rendus de l'academie bulgare des sciences, 30(11), 1657-1660, 1977.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Maruzzella, J.C. & M.B. Lichtenstein. The in vitro antibacterial activity of oils. Journal of the Am Pharm Association, 45, 378-381, 1956.
Maruzella, J.C. & A. Sicurella. Antibacterial activity of essential oils. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Assoc. 49(11), 692-694, 1960.
Petkov, V., S. Ivancheva, et.al. The Chemistry and Pharmacology of flavonoid fractions with hypotensive action isolated from geranium. I & II. Commuincations. Experimentalna Medizina I Morfologia, 11(2), 45-54, 1972; & 13(1), 29-36, 1974.
Raynova, L, I. Tsonev, et. al. On the active principles & pharmacodynamics of the plants Fumaria officinalis and Geranium macrorrhizum. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Medical Institute, 16(1), 119-125, 1969.
Schauenberg, P. & F. Paris. Guide to Medicinal Plants, Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, Connecticut, 1977.
Scientific Committee. British Herbal Pharmocopaeia. British Herbal Medicine Assoc. Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
Essential Oil
See Geranium Essence under Aromatherapy
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