Geranium, Herb Robert

Cranesbill is the common name of the Geraniums
Gratia Dei (used for a number of Geranium species)

Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Geranium robertum
Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen, Sturn, 1796

Geranium robertum
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885

Botanical name:

Geranium robertum (syn. G. robertianum)
A number of Geranium species are used similarly:
i. G. sanguinarum (syn. G. haematodes); Bloody Cranesbill
ii. G. rotundifolium (syn. G. columbinum); Dovesfoot, Pes columbinus
iii. G. pratense (syn. G. batrachioides); Crowfoot Cranesbill, Meadow Cransebill Batrachium
iv. G. moschatum; Musk Cranesbill; Acus moschata
The above-named species of Geranium generally share similar properties and were often collected and used indiscriminately.

Parts used:

Herb

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. (Schroder said ‘temperately Hot and dry, and Cold’). Bitter, Salty

Classification:

2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Toxin, Moves the Blood, Resolves Masses:
-dissolves Congealed Blood, and Stops Blood; used for Bruising and Trauma
-good to cleanse and heal Wounds
-in compounds for Scrofula, Tumors and Cancers
-also to promote Menstruation

2. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-suppressed or burning Urine, Jaundice
-especially for Gravel and Stones (West, Ayurveda)
-related species used in Asian medicine clear Wind and damp and are used for Rheumatism, Arthralgia and Stroke.

3. Clears Wind-Heat:
-Fevers (internally, and with salt and vinegar applied to the soles and pulses).
-various skin conditions coming from heat.

4. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-commended to stop bleeding from the Nose, Mouth, Throat or Gastrointestinal Tract;
-especially Bleeding of Wounds.

5. Clears Heat, Settles Wind, Calms the Mind:
-Large doses (2 drams of the powder) were given to Lunatics. (Fioravanti)

6. Externally:
-applied to fresh Wounds, Tumors and Ulcers, including old Ulcers of the Genitals.
-concentrated decoction or ointment can be applied to chronic non-healing sores and cancers
-decocted in lye as a wash to chronic and putrid ulcers
-poultice for Rheumatism.
-the decoction made with lye is used as a wash for putrid Ulcers.
-all Cranesbills are used externally to allay the heat of Fever (applied to the Soles with Salt and Vinegar)
-also to ‘discuss’ Milk, and for ‘Clefts’ of the Breasts

Dose:

It was commonly infused or decocted in wine.
1–2 teaspoonfuls in infusion
Decoction: 5–15 grams

Main Combinations:

1. Scrofula:
i. Herb Robert with Horehound, Celery, Agrimony, Dill seed (as in Decoction Against Scrofula)
ii. Gratia Dei (1 oz.), Cinnamon (1 dram), Clove (1 scruple), Wheat flower (1 pound), Confected Orange (1 oz.), Powder, mix with honey to a paste and bake in an oven. Dose is 1 ounce. Also for Scabs, Eczema and similar skin diseases.
2. Tumors and Cancer, Herb Robert with Guaiacum, Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Dock, Filipendula and Walnut tree rind (as in Cancer Ale)
3. Cancer:
i. Herb Robert with Black Nightshade, Agrimony, Dodder, Yarrow
ii. Herb Robert with Figwort, Mullein root, Filipendula, Agrimony, Tormentil, Elder flower, Rosemary and Nettle seed (as in Decoction Against Cancer)
4. Trauma, Wounds, Herb Robert with Tormentil, Comfrey, Shilajit, Wintergreen, Vervain, Mullein, St. Johns wort
5. Inflammations, Ulcers and Tumors, Linseed with Fenugreek and Herb Robert as a Cataplasm

Major Formulas:

Decoction Against Scrofula (Fuller)
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Universal Vulnerary Decoction (Joseph Du Chesne)
Water for Cancer

Cautions:

1. Not for Cold and weakness of the digestive system.
2. Some people may be allergic:
–Contact dermatitis caused by Geranium robertianum with erythema multiforme-like reaction.

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water of the Herb

Geranium robertum, Herb Robert PRO