Geranium incanum Burm.f. var. incanum and var. multifidum (Sweet) Hilliard and Burtt

Geranium incanum is a low, spreading, branched perennial herb growing as a ground cover with long, slender stems and a thickened tap root. Masses of eye-catching flowers are borne from September to January in shades of white to pale pink with darker veins (var. incanum) or deep magenta-pink (var. multifidum). They are commonly found in traditional medicinal markets as bundles of fragrant, silvery blue leaves, flowers and stems. The plant is used extensively as an aqueous extract (tea) taken orally to relieve diarrhoea, as a treatment for venereal diseases and as an anthelmintic, to relieve bladder infections, particularly in women, and gynaecological problems resulting from menstruation, as well as an abortifacient. External uses documented include treatment of dry and itchy skin conditions and as a rinse for oily hair. Traditional uses of the plant suggest the actions of polyphenols, specifically the dehydroellagitannin geraniin, also recorded from other members of the genus Geranium.