Geranium macrorrhizum
Hardy geranium
Geranium macrorrhizum, commonly known as Bigroot Geranium, is a perennial herb valued for its potent medicinal properties. Renowned for its high concentration of tannins and essential oils, this plant is traditionally used to treat digestive ailments, skin inflammations, and respiratory issues, making it a significant botanical in herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Geranium macrorrhizum
- Family: Geraniaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Geraniales and the family Geraniaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Geranium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Geraniales | WCVP |
| Family | Geraniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Geranium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Geranium macrorhizum, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Russian, it is called Герань крупнокорневищная, while in Dutch, it is known as Rotsooievaarsbek. In Serbian, the name used is Здравац, and in Bulgarian, it is called обикновен здравец. Additionally, in German, it is referred to as Balkan-Storchschnabel.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Герань крупнокорневищная | Wikidata |
| nl | Rotsooievaarsbek | Wikidata |
| sr | Здравац | Wikidata |
| de | Balkan-Storchschnabel | Wikidata |
| bg | обикновен здравец | Wikidata |
| uk | Герань великокореневищна | Wikidata |
| az | İrikökümsov ətirşah | Wikidata |
| zh | 巨根老鸛草 | Wikidata |
| sv | Flocknäva | Wikidata |
| cy | Pig-yr-aran wreiddfawr | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends to include both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in Austria and Belgium. Its distribution also covers the central territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Consequently, these locations highlight the diverse geographical spread of Geranium macrorhizum.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Geranium macrorrhizum, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties which are concentrated in its various anatomical structures. While the roots are often the most potent component due to their high concentration of tannins and essential oils, the aerial parts—which include the stems, leaves, and flowers—also play a significant role in the plant's overall profile. These above-ground structures contribute to the plant's biological identity and can be utilized in different herbal preparations, though the most intense therapeutic activity is typically associated with the subterranean rhizomes.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial Parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Geranium macrorrhizum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include catechins, rosmarinic acid, salicylic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| catechins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salicylic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Geranium macrorrhizum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Geranium macrorrhizum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proteus vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound-healing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |