Geranium pratense, Meadow Cranesbill
Crowfoot Cranesbill, Batrachium
Li ga dur, Zhim thig dmar po (Tibetan)
Geranium pratense
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885
Botanical name:
Geranium pratense (syn. G. batrachioides)
A number of related Geranium are used similarly.
In Tibetan Medicine, there are a number of sources and varieties for Li ga dur, most being Geranium species, with a number of sources also listing Bergenia species (other occasionally listed species are listed after):
- Ga dur: G. wallichianum, Bergenia purpurascens
- Ga dur dman pa: G. pratense, G. nepalense, G. pylzowianum
- Ga dur mchog: G. wallichianum; Bergenia stracheyi
- Li ga dur: G. pratense
- Li ga dur mchog: Bergeria purpurascens
Some sources have given other plants as sources including: Rhodiola kirilowii, Rhodiola wallichiana (Luo Dashang, 1997), Cyperus pangorei (Gurmet Namgyal and Phuntsog, 1990), Erodium stephanianum (Clark, 1995) and Polygonum sinomontanum.
Parts used:
Herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Pungent, Sweet, Salty
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Heat (West, Tibetan):
-Fever, Cold, Influenza
-Lung Heat cough, Inflammation of the Lungs
2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Promotes Healing:
-‘dissolves congealed Blood’ (Salmon)
-used for Trauma, Wounds, Bruising, and to stop Bleeding
-inflammation and obstruction of the channels, nerves and Blood vessels (Tibetan)
-Pain and swelling of the Limbs
-Hernias and Ruptures
3. Externally:
-cataplasm with Salt and Vinegar is applied to the feet for Fever
-ointment is applied to Fissures and for swollen breasts from obstructed Milk
-applied to ulcers of the Breast or Genitals
Dose:
Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 1-4 grams
Tincture (1:5): 2-5 mls.
Substitutes:
Gla sgang (Bistort) has been stated to have the same therapeutic effects as Li ga dur, particularly for the Lungs. (Drakpa Gyeltsen)
Main Combinations:
1. All types of Fever, Geranium pratense with Camphor, Nutmeg, Clove, Tabasheer, Safflower, Sandalwood, Swertia (as in Camphor 14 of Tibetan Medicine)
2. Lung Heat Cough, Hemoptysis, Chest Pain, Pneumonia, Geranium pratense with Rhodiola, Lacca and Licorice (Rhodiola 4 Decoction, Tibetan Medicine)
3. Lung Heat Cough, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Geranium pratense with Tabasheer, Safflower, Clove, Sandalwood, Chebula, Costus, Licorice (as in Eliminator of Inflamed Lungs, Tibetan Medicine)
4. Bruises, Vaginal Sores or Wounds, Swelling of the Breasts, apply distilled water of Cranesbill on linen cloth several times daily. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
Major Formulas:
Camphor 14 (Tibetan Medicine)
Bi Ma La (Tibetan Medicine)
Eliminator of Inflamed Lungs (Tibetan Medicine)
Rhodiola 4 Decoction (Tibetan Medicine)
Cautions:
Not for Cold and weak Digestion
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water, Saline Tincture
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