ABSTRACT
More than 70 species of Erodium genus are annual or perennial and distributed in all continents of the world. The plants are employed to treat hemorrhage, skin infections, indigestion, and inflammatory disorders. Erodium leaves are used for salads, omelets, sandwiches, sauces, soups, and food production. In Turkish medicine, Erodium plants are used to treat gastric complaints, urinary tract diseases, diabetes, constipation, and eczemas. In India, E. tibetanum aerial parts are employed to treat indigestion, wounds, burns and as hair tonic. E. cicutarium infusion has been used to treat influenza, heart complaints, and stomach pain, E. moschatum is useful in cough, pneumonia, and menstruation pain. Geraniin, dehydrogeraniin, corilagin, isoquercitrin, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, 3-O-galloylshikimic acid, 3-O-(6”-O-galloyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside, corilagin, didehydrogeraniin, geraniin, hyperin, isoquercitrin, methyl gallate 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, rutin, methyl eugenol, geraniol, citronellol, isomenthone, and linalool have been reported from Erodium plants. Erodium plants possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, Clostridium perfringens, and S. aureus), and antiviral properties. This chapter provides ethnopharmacological properties, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, and culture conditions of Erodium plants.
