ENGLISH NAME: Logrooted
Crane’s Bill
LATIN NAME: Geranium
macrorrhizum
LOCAL NAMES:
Bulgarian: Обикновен див горски здравец
Common Synonym: Balkan Geranium
HABITAT:
Country/Region: Bulgaria and the
Balkan Peninsula
Preferred
Habitat:
Shady, rocky woodlands, forest edges, limestone hillsides, often forming dense
ground cover
Soil & Light
Requirements:
Prefers well-drained soils; thrives in partial shade to full
sun
DESCRIPTION:
A perennial
herbaceous plant with aromatic, lobed leaves and pink to purplish
flowers. It forms dense mats through rhizomatous growth. The leaves
release a strong pleasant fragrance when crushed. The plant grows up to 30–50
cm tall and flowers in late spring to early summer (May–June).
USABLE PARTS:
Root (rhizome)
Leaf
Flower (occasionally
used in folk medicine)
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
Traditional Uses:
Astringent — for wounds,
cuts, nosebleeds
Antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory — for skin infections and inflammation
Digestive aid — used in
decoctions for diarrhea and gastrointestinal inflammation
Mild sedative and tonic
properties
External Use:
Applied as
compresses or in bath water for eczema, rashes, hemorrhoids,
and varicose veins
UNDESIRED
EFFECTS:
Generally
considered safe in traditional dosages
Prolonged
internal use
is not recommended without supervision due to strong astringency
PREPARATION &
USAGE:
Infusion (tea):
1 teaspoon of
dried root or leaf in 250 ml of hot water
Steep 10–15
minutes, strain, drink up to 2–3 times per day
Decoction
(stronger):
Boil 1 tablespoon
of dried rhizome in 250 ml of water for 10 minutes
Used externally
or internally (only short term)
Poultice or wash:
Boiled root
decoction can be used for cleansing wounds or irritated skin
HARVESTING:
Leaves and
flowers:
Collected during flowering (May–June)
Rhizomes: Dug in autumn
or early spring, cleaned and dried
STORAGE:
Dry in shade
or ventilated areas
Store in airtight
containers, away from sunlight and humidity