American Cranesbill
American cranesbill is high in tannins, which likely accounts for its antidiarrheal activity. It may have some antiviral and antibacterial properties. A preparation with extract and 80% ethanol may inhibit the growth of some gram-negative bacteria.
American cranesbill is available as dried herb, essential oil, liquid extract, mouthwash, and tincture.
Benefits And Uses of American Cranesbill
American cranesbill is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, dysmenorrhea, Crohn’s disease, liver and gallbladder disease, calculosis, and inflammation of the mouth, kidney, and bladder.
Administration
American cranesbill is used as a gargle or mouthwash. Fresh leaves are commonly chewed.
- Liquid extract: 1 to 2 ml by mouth three times a day
- Tea: 1 to 2 g by mouth (prepared by adding 1 teaspoon of herb to 1 pint of cold water, bringing mixture to a boil and leaving it to draw); 2 to 3 cups daily, between meals
- Tincture: 2 to 4 ml by mouth three times a day.
Side Effects of American Cranesbill
American cranesbill may cause stomach upset.
Any herbal preparation that contains alcohol can precipitate a disulfiram-like reaction. Persons with digestive disorders should avoid use because of the herb’s high tannin content .
Clinical considerations
- Caution patient not to delay seeking medical evaluation of symptoms that may indicate a serious medical condition. . Inform patient with a sensitive stomach that American cranesbill could cause nausea or vomiting.
- Tell patient not to exceed recommended dose.
- Advise patient not to take American cranesbill for longer than 1 to 2 weeks at a time without consulting his health care provider.
- Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
- Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
The concepts behind the use of American cranesbill and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically
Tagged under:cause stomach cranesbill disulfiram dysentery dysmenorrhea hemorrhoids herbal preparation Herbs stomach ulcers tannin content tannins Posted by editor on July 1st, 2007 | Filed under Herbs
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