Herb Robert

(Geraniumrobertianum L., Geraniaceae).

Description: Annual plant, procumbent or erect, 1 5-50cm (6-20in) high, all parts more or less reddish-tinged.
Stems branched, slightly hairy.
Leaves opposite, slightly hairy, palmate with 3 to 5 leaflets each again deeply divided.
Flowers 8-15mm (0.3-0•6 in), bright pink, in groups of 2-4 on each pedicel.
Fruits 2cm (0.8in) long,
with pointed beak.
Flowering: May­October.
Odour: strong and unpleasant.
Taste: astringent and bitter.

Part Used: Entire flowering plant (preferably with root), fresh or dried (Herbalists prefer the plant without
root.)

Habitat and Collection: In woods, hedges, on walls and rocks throughout Europe; common in Britain.
Collected during the su­mer and dried in the shade.

Constituents and Action: Tannins, volatile oil (mainly in the fresh plant, much is lost during drying).
The drug is astringent, haemostatic, antidiarroeal and mildly diuretic.

Usage: Internally as a tisane (0.5 litre Opt) of cold water on 1 table­spoonful of drug, allow to stand, then raise to the boil) for diarrhoea, dropsy, inflammation of the bladder (of little use).
Externally as an application to wounds, to eruptions and for stomatitis.
Bruised leaves may be applied or, preferably fresh leaves may be chewed for inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth.