Geranium pratense, Meadow Cranesbill

Crowfoot Cranesbill, Batrachium Picture Geranium pratense
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885

Botanical name:


Geranium pratense (syn. G. batrachioides)
A number of related Geranium are used similarly

Parts used:


Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Pungent, Sweet, Salty

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Heat (West, Tibetan):
-Fever, Cold, Influenza
-Lung Heat cough, Inflammation of the Lungs

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Promotes Healing:
-‘dissolves congealed Blood’ (Salmon)
-used for Trauma, Wounds, Bruising, and to stop Bleeding
-inflammation and obstruction of the channels, nerves and Blood vessels (Tibetan)
-Pain and swelling of the Limbs
-Hernias and Ruptures

3. Externally:
-cataplasm with Salt and Vinegar is applied to the feet for Fever
-ointment is applied to Fissures and for swollen breasts from obstructed Milk
-applied to ulcers of the Breast or Genitals


Dose:


Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 1-4 grams
Tincture (1:5): 2-5 mls.

Main Combinations:


1. All types of Fever, Geranium pratense with Camphor, Nutmeg, Clove, Tabasheer, Safflower, Sandalwood, Swertia (as in Camphor 14 of Tibetan Medicine)
2. Lung Heat Cough, Hemoptysis, Chest Pain, Pneumonia, Geranium pratense with Rhodiola, Lacca and Licorice (Rhodiola 4 Decoction, Tibetan Medicine)
3. Lung Heat Cough, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Geranium pratense with Tabasheer, Safflower, Clove, Sandalwood, Chebula, Costus, Licorice (as in Eliminator of Inflamed Lungs, Tibetan Medicine)
4. Bruises, Vaginal Sores or Wounds, Swelling of the Breasts, apply distilled water of Cranesbill on linen cloth several times daily. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)

Major Formulas:


Camphor 14 (Tibetan Medicine)
Bi Ma La (Tibetan Medicine)
Eliminator of Inflamed Lungs (Tibetan Medicine)
Rhodiola 4 Decoction (Tibetan Medicine)

Cautions:


Not for Cold and weak Digestion

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water, Saline Tincture