An edible plant, sticky geranium was added to food as a spice to add a strong flavor or scent. The leaves were used topically for their soothing effect.
Being in the rose family its roots are astringent and were used as a powder for sores and nosebleeds. The powdered root infused in water was a treatment for bleeding wounds, sore eyes, and consumed as a tea for diarrhea. Most astringent roots are used in these ways.
Today hikers in the backcountry can use geranium roots (cleaned and dried) to treat bleeding wounds and diarrhea safely. It is a common plant in mountain zones and easy to identify.
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