Erodium cicutarium

Erodium cicutarium (Common Stork's-bill / Redstem Filaree)

1. Identity and Botanical Description

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

Erodium cicutarium, also known as common stork's-bill, redstem filaree, redstem stork's bill, or pinweed, is a herbaceous annual — or in warm climates, biennial — member of the family Geraniaceae of flowering plants. Its scientific name is derived from the Greek erodes, meaning "heron," in clear allusion to the striking beak-like shape of its fruits; the epithet cicutarium refers to its morphological similarity to hemlock, although it lacks the toxicity of that plant.

The species includes various synonyms such as Geranium cicutarium L., Erodium arenarium, Erodium chaerophyllum, Erodium glutinosum, and many others, reflecting its variability and the complex taxonomic history of the species. Additional accepted synonyms documented in botanical literature include Erodium millefolium Kunth, Erodium moranense Kunth, Erodium pimpinellifolium Sibth., and Erodium praecox Willd.

Morphology and Habitat

Common stork's-bill is a herb that typically grows in rosettes pressed flat to the ground, with a deep tap root that allows it to survive through the summer on dry soils. It can develop stems up to 60 cm long that are sometimes red and sometimes green, and may be erect or prostrate, and have simple or glandular hairs which become more abundant towards the top. The plant has a rosette of deeply lobed leaves at the base, with smaller leaves arranged alternately along the stem; the stems are reddish and hairy, and the flowers are small, with five pink to purple petals, borne in clusters.

It is native to Macaronesia, temperate Eurasia, and north and northeast Africa, and was introduced to North America in the eighteenth century, where it has since become naturalized, particularly in the deserts and arid grasslands of the southwestern United States. It is also naturalized elsewhere, including South America and southern Africa.

Common Names and Linguistic Designations

The plant is known in English as redstem stork's bill, and also called California filaree, cutleaf filaree, filaree, heron bill, redstem filaree, and storksbill; in Spanish it is called alfilerillo, alfilerilla, agujitas, aguja del pastor, and peine de bruja.

Common Preparations and Dosage Forms

The plant is used in multiple preparation forms in both traditional and modern herbal contexts. The aerial parts — including leaves, stems, and flowers — constitute the primary botanical material used medicinally. Its mild flavor and gentle action make it a suitable addition to herbal teas, tinctures, and topical preparations. The plant has also been prepared as a water decoction and as aqueous or alcoholic extracts for pharmacological investigation. In scientific research, both water extracts and methanol extracts of the whole herb have been used. The plant additionally appears in the homeopathic materia medica in dilution and mother tincture forms, primarily marketed by manufacturers such as Boiron and Schwabe, though these preparations bear no substantiated pharmacological content at typical homeopathic dilutions.

The young leaves of Erodium cicutarium are edible and have been included in salads or cooked in various culinary traditions, preferably before flowering to avoid an overly bitter or fibrous taste. Some Erodium species are eaten as vegetables in several nations including Turkey, the North American region, and Italy; E. cicutarium stands out as the most used species for ethnobotanical purposes.

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2. Traditional and Historical Use

European Traditions

Erodium cicutarium has been used internally and externally for the treatment of dysentery, fever, wounds, and worm infections as a traditional medicine. It was employed as an antihemorrhagic drug in gynecology to stop uterine bleeding and as a general haemostipticum. Among other plants containing ellagitannins in the Erodium genera, it was used for preparing astringent and antiseptic teas used for stomatitis. Other ethnopharmacological data suggest the use in dermatological diseases, hepatitis, nephritis and bleeding from wounds, stomach pain, and heart problems.

European herbalists often recommended it as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers, harnessing its natural tannins to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

South African and African Folk Medicine

Pelargonium grossularioides and Erodium cicutarium, both members of the Geraniaceae family, have been used as folk medicines in South Africa, mainly to procure abortions. The pharmacological activity of extracts of the leaves of the two species was investigated on in vitro preparations of smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscle. This use provided the ethnopharmacological rationale for subsequent scientific investigation of the plant's uterotonic and spasmogenic properties.

Native American Traditions (North America)

Erodium cicutarium is a European species that became extensively naturalized throughout North America, apparently introduced into the Southwest in the early 1770s by the Spaniards. After its naturalization, redstem stork's bill acquired several medical uses among southwest Native Americans. In Native American herbalism, the plant was brewed into teas for the treatment of diarrhea, kidney troubles, and urinary tract issues, owing to its reputed diuretic and mild antimicrobial properties.

South American (Bolivian) Traditions

The plant is documented in Bolivian folk medicine, where it was used among highland populations. Twenty-six plant species from the native flora used in Bolivian folk medicine — from families including Asteraceae, Geraniaceae (which includes E. cicutarium), Piperaceae, Plantaginaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, and others — were selected for scientific bioactivity studies.

Turkish and Mediterranean Edible and Medicinal Traditions

In Turkey, E. cicutarium is consumed as a vegetable in some provinces including Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Aksaray, and Denizli. It originates from the Mediterranean region and features fern-like, pinnate leaves measuring 10–30 cm in length; these leaves emerge from a rosette and possess a "green," grassy flavor.

General Traditional Indications Documented Across Cultures

• Dysentery, fever, wounds, and worm infections (internal and external use)
• Uterine bleeding and general hemostasis in gynecological contexts
• Astringent and antiseptic teas for stomatitis
• Diarrhea, kidney troubles, and urinary tract issues (Native American herbalism)
• Sore throats and mouth ulcers (European herbalism)
• Abortifacient use (South African folk medicine)

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3. Phytochemical Composition and Key Constituents

Overview of the Phytochemical Profile

Erodium cicutarium is known for its total polyphenolic content. In a landmark 2020 study using UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS⁴ and UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS techniques, a total of 85 phenolic compounds were identified and 17 constituents were quantified; overall, 25 new compounds were found which had not yet been reported for the Erodium genera or the family Geraniaceae.

Polyphenols: Tannins, Ellagitannins, and Gallotannins

Natural phenolic compounds, including ellagitannins, gallotannins, and flavonoid glycosides, have been isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Erodium cicutarium. Studies on the phytochemical profile of Erodium species have shown the presence of tannins; while ellagic acid was reported as the main phenolic compound in certain related species, brevifolin was the predominant compound in Erodium cicutarium and Erodium manescavi.

The total content of polyphenolic compounds in the dry raw material has been reported at 3.41%; flavonoids calculated as quercetin were 0.45%, and tannins 0.78%. Methanol extract of the herb contained quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, their mono- and di-glycosidic derivatives, as well as various free polyphenolic acids.

The 2019 Croatian population study found that the contents of total polyphenols, tannins, total flavonoids, and total hydroxycinnamic derivatives significantly varied depending on the collection site, and were in the range of 4.78%–12.85% (total polyphenols), 3.23%–5.80% (tannins), 0.42%–1.09% (total flavonoids), and 1.08%–2.59% (total hydroxycinnamic derivatives) of dry weight, with the Plitvice collection having the highest polyphenol content.

Flavonoids

Identified flavonoids include quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin along with their glycosidic derivatives. Caffeine, tyramine, glutamic acid, choline, gallic acid, saponins, flavonoids, and sugars have been proposed as active constituents of E. cicutarium as well as of the family Geraniaceae.

Other Phenolic Acids and Non-Phenolic Constituents

Erodium cicutarium has been found to contain tannin, catechins, gallic and ellagic acids, sugars (glucose, galactose, fructose), amino acids (glycine, alanine, proline, histidine, tryptophan, tyrosine, glutamic acid), and vitamins K and C. A 2024 study focused on the Kilis, Turkey population found that catechin hydrate was the most abundant phenolic compound in methanol, ethanol, and diethyl ether extracts, while chlorogenic acid was the most abundant in the water extract.

Fatty Acids

Looking at the fatty acid profile, palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid) was found to be high at 34.30%, followed by stearic acid (5.10%). Total monounsaturated fatty acids ranked second, while total polyunsaturated fatty acids were determined as the third-ranking fatty acid class.

Essential Oils and Volatile Compounds

Fifty compounds were identified in the essential oils of Croatian populations (representing 90.4%–96.7% of total oil) and classified into seven structural classes, with hydrocarbons (59.8%–65.7%) as the main class of constituents. The major compounds were hexadecanoic acid (41.5%–49.6%), followed by octadecanoic acid (3.8%–8.1%), octacosane (2.1%–4.8%), and heptadecanoic acid (2.3%–4.6%).

An earlier characterization of essential oil composition reported different major volatile constituents. The essential oils of Erodium cicutarium were found to contain isomenthone (11.2%), citronellol (15.4%), geraniol (16.7%), and methyl eugenol (10.6%). These differences in composition likely reflect geographical variation, harvest timing, extraction method, and plant part analyzed, as corroborated by the Croatian study's finding that the main constituents of the oils — including hexadecanoic acid — differed markedly from those previously reported for the same species.

Elemental Composition

Along with methanolic extracts, the poorly investigated water extracts also exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity according to all performed assays, including FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC. Elemental composition analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry.

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4. Mechanisms of Action (Preclinical/Laboratory Evidence)

Antioxidant Mechanisms

The antioxidant activity of E. cicutarium has been attributed primarily to its polyphenolic content. Extracts and certain standard substances present in Erodium cicutarium extracts were tested for antioxidative properties during Fe²⁺-induced triglyceride oxidation; both hydrophobic fractions (petroleum ether, benzene, and chloroform extracts) and hydrophilic fractions (water and ethyl acetate extracts) showed antioxidative effect. Among the tested substances, vitamin C and polyphenolic compounds including tannin, (+)-catechin, and gallic acid exhibited antioxidative activity.

Antimicrobial Mechanisms

Experimental methods for assessing antimicrobial activity of E. cicutarium included observing bactericidal/bacteriostatic activity through time (the "time-kill" assay), investigating the effect on cell wall integrity and biofilm formation, and modulation of bacterial hemolysis. Observed antibacterial activity led to further activity-guided fractionation of water and methanol extracts using bioautography coupled with UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS⁴. This approach allowed researchers to identify the specific phenolic fractions responsible for the antibacterial effect and to examine their potential synergistic interactions.

Smooth Muscle and Uterotonic Activity

Most extracts of E. cicutarium contracted or increased the tone of guinea pig ileum, rat uterus, and rat diaphragm, with organic extracts (hexane and methanol) having greater activity than water extracts. A negative ionotropic effect was observed on the rabbit heart. The spasmogenic action induced by extracts in isolated uterus of the rat was consistent with the reported abortifacient use of the plant.

Cardiac Effects

The addition of extracts of Erodium cicutarium to the Krebs solution perfusing an isolated heart from rabbit produced a negative ionotropic action. This effect — meaning a reduction in the force of cardiac muscle contraction — was observed in an in vitro model only, and has not been studied in human subjects.

Antiviral and Interferon-Inducing Activity

Both water extract and methanol extract of E. cicutarium, as well as their fractions, exerted antiviral effect in relation to myxoviruses, herpes virus type 1, vesicular stomatitis, and vaccinia virus. However, none of these extracts induced interferon in a suspension of human leukocytes. Erodium cicutarium was also reported to exhibit antioxidant, antiviral, and interferonogenic activity in separate laboratory investigations, though the evidence for interferon induction remains inconsistent across studies.

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5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Antimicrobial Activity

Evidence strength: Preliminary; in vitro only; no clinical trials.

Erodium cicutarium has been subjected to antimicrobial investigation guided by its ethnobotanical use. In vitro screening on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans strains shows that E. cicutarium has antimicrobial activity, with a particular emphasis on clinical S. aureus strains — both the methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and the methicillin-resistant (MRSA) S. aureus.

Present, as well as relatively scarce literature data, describe E. cicutarium antimicrobial activity, but except for classical screenings (e.g., the diffusion and microdilution methods), no detailed or more in-depth studies have been presented. According to Munekata et al., the Erodium genera, particularly species E. absinthoides, E. cicutarium, and E. glaucophyllum, should be considered as potential sources of natural antimicrobial compounds. No human clinical trials assessing antimicrobial efficacy of E. cicutarium preparations have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature.

5.2 Antioxidant Activity

Evidence strength: Established in vitro; no human clinical studies.

The first highly detailed polyphenolic profile of E. cicutarium was established using UHPLC-LTQ OrbiTrap MS⁴ and UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS techniques. A total of 85 phenolic compounds were identified and 17 constituents were quantified; 25 compounds were newly reported for the genus. Water extracts exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity according to all performed assays, including FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC.

The antioxidant properties are attributed primarily to the high polyphenol content — especially catechins, gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin. All evidence, however, is derived from in vitro assays; no randomized controlled trials or other clinical studies examining antioxidant biomarkers in humans have been published for this plant.

5.3 Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activity

Evidence strength: Weak; older laboratory evidence only; no clinical studies.

Research by Zielińska-Jenczylik et al. (published in Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis, 1988) investigated interferon-inducing and antiviral effects of E. cicutarium extracts. Both water and methanol extracts exerted antiviral effects against myxoviruses, herpes virus type 1, vesicular stomatitis, and vaccinia virus; however, none of these extracts induced interferon in a suspension of human leukocytes. In animal studies, E. cicutarium has shown the ability to induce interferon production and exert antiviral activity, although its clinical relevance in humans requires further research. No controlled trials in human subjects have been conducted.

5.4 Antiproliferative and Anticancer Activity

Evidence strength: Preliminary; two in vitro / cell-culture studies only; no clinical evidence.

In a study of 26 plant species from the native flora used in Bolivian folk medicine, their effects on the proliferation of colon cancer cells (Caco-2) were studied using the WST-1 reagent. Four out of 26 ethanolic extracts had significant antiproliferative activity, including the extract from Erodium cicutarium. Further studies of the mechanism of action of the bioactive extracts were noted as needed.

A separate investigation examining multiple Geraniaceae and related species found that four out of 21 tested plant extracts from Geranium and Erodium species demonstrated remarkable antiproliferative activity against five different cancer cell lines, with overall therapeutic index values comparable to the positive control, doxycycline; the exact mechanisms were not fully determined. These findings are entirely preclinical and should not be interpreted as evidence of human anticancer efficacy.

5.5 Hemostatic and Astringent Effects

Evidence strength: Traditional use; supported mechanistically by tannin content; no clinical studies.

Erodium cicutarium has historically been employed as an antihemorrhagic drug in gynecology to stop uterine bleeding and as a general haemostipticum. The hemostatic property is chemically consistent with the plant's high content of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins, which are known to precipitate proteins, contract tissues, and reduce bleeding at mucosal surfaces. However, no controlled clinical studies have evaluated these effects in human subjects.

5.6 Uterotonic / Smooth Muscle Effects

Evidence strength: In vitro; mechanistically relevant but potentially constitutes a safety concern.

In vitro preparations showed that most extracts contracted or increased the tone of guinea pig ileum, rat uterus, and rat diaphragm; organic extracts (hexane and methanol) had greater activity than water extracts. A negative ionotropic effect was observed on the rabbit heart, and the spasmogenic action in isolated rat uterus was consistent with the reported abortifacient use of the plant. These findings are of clinical relevance because they provide a pharmacological basis for the traditional abortifacient use of this plant.

5.7 Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects

Evidence strength: Referenced in review literature; individual primary studies not extensively detailed in the available literature.

Erodium cicutarium possessed anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in addition to its other pharmacological activities. These claims are cited in pharmacological review articles referencing earlier experimental studies (Georgieva, Kostadinova, and Dimitrova), but detailed study parameters — including model, dose, species, and outcome measures — are not consistently available across accessible sources. No human trials for these endpoints have been identified.

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6. Body Systems and Health Areas of Association

• Immune system: Antiviral and interferonogenic activities have been reported.
• Antimicrobial / infectious disease: Antimicrobial activity demonstrated against S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA), P. aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in vitro.
• Cardiovascular system: A negative ionotropic effect on cardiac muscle has been documented in isolated tissue preparations.
• Reproductive system / gynecology: Spasmogenic activity in isolated rat uterus is consistent with the plant's traditional use as an abortifacient and antihemorrhagic agent in gynecology.
• Gastrointestinal system: Traditional use encompasses treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, and stomach pain; tannin content provides a mechanistic basis for these uses.
• Urinary system: Traditional use in Native American herbalism includes brewing the plant as a tea for kidney troubles and urinary tract issues.
• Oral / mucosal health: European herbalists recommended it as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers.
• Oncology (preclinical): Ethanolic leaf extracts showed significant antiproliferative activity against Caco-2 colon cancer cells in a cell-culture model.
• Skin and wound healing: Folk remedies have frequently employed the plant as a mild astringent and anti-inflammatory agent; leaves and stems were used in poultices to soothe minor wounds, insect bites, and skin irritations.
• Hematological (coagulation): The plant contains vitamin K, which is directly relevant to the coagulation pathway and is consistent with its traditional hemostatic applications.

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7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages in Studies

No standardized human clinical dosages for Erodium cicutarium have been established in peer-reviewed clinical trials. The following represents dosage information as it appears in the scientific literature:

• Total polyphenol content used in phytochemical benchmarking: The total content of polyphenolic compounds in dry raw material has been reported as 3.41%, with flavonoids calculated as quercetin at 0.45% and tannins at 0.78%. These figures describe raw material composition, not therapeutic doses.
• Extract types used in pharmacological studies: Research has employed aqueous (water), methanolic, ethanolic, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions. Both aerial part extracts and essential oil fractions have been studied.
• In vitro antimicrobial work: Bactericidal/bacteriostatic activity was assessed via serial microdilution broth assay and agar well diffusion assay, the "time-kill" assay, effect on cell wall integrity and biofilm formation, and modulation of bacterial hemolysis; minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for individual fractions were determined but specific numerical values are reported within the primary research articles and vary by fraction and target organism.
• Antiproliferative assay: Effects on colon cancer cells (Caco-2) were studied using the WST-1 reagent from ethanolic extracts of the leaves of E. cicutarium. Specific concentrations used in the assay are detailed within the primary publication (Rodrigo et al., J. Medicinal Plants Research, 2010).

No peer-reviewed clinical study has established a recommended dosage for any oral or topical preparation of E. cicutarium in human subjects.

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8. Safety Considerations and Interactions

Uterotonic Risk

Laboratory evidence confirms that most extracts of Erodium cicutarium contracted or increased the tone of rat uterus in vitro, and the spasmogenic action was consistent with the reported abortifacient use of the plant. Lis-Balchin and Hart (1994), guided by the ethnopharmacological usage of E. cicutarium in South Africa for induction of abortions, confirmed the spasmogenic activity of the plant's extract. This constitutes a pharmacologically substantiated safety concern for use during pregnancy.

Cardiac Effects

Erodium cicutarium extracts possess spasmogenic effects on uterine and diaphragmatic muscles and a cardiac negative ionotropic action. In isolated rabbit heart preparations perfused with Krebs solution, extracts produced a negative ionotropic action — a reduction in the contractile force of the heart. The clinical significance of this finding at conventional herbal preparation doses is unknown, as no in vivo or human studies have characterized this effect.

Vitamin K Content and Anticoagulant Interactions

Erodium cicutarium contains vitamins K and C. The presence of vitamin K is pharmacologically relevant because dietary vitamin K can antagonize the anticoagulant effects of coumarin-type drugs (such as warfarin). Individuals taking anticoagulant therapy who consume significant quantities of this plant as food or supplement could theoretically experience altered coagulation parameters. No clinical interaction studies have been performed.

High Tannin Content

The plant's substantial tannin content — up to 5.80% of dry weight in some populations — is relevant to safety because high-tannin preparations can interfere with absorption of minerals (particularly iron) and certain pharmaceutical agents when taken concurrently, based on established properties of tannins as a chemical class.

Absence of Clinical Safety Data

Major efforts are necessary to advance knowledge about the Erodium genus regarding the relation between traditional use and scientific evidence, the influence on biological mechanisms at animal and clinical levels, and the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. No systematic safety studies, toxicological evaluations in humans, or standardized adverse event reporting exist for E. cicutarium as a supplement or herbal preparation. The available pharmacological data are entirely preclinical (cell culture and isolated organ preparations), and the translational relevance to human use remains uncharacterized.

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Summary of Evidence Quality

The Erodium genus is a relevant source of compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and biological activity, which supports its potential exploration in pharmacological and food applications. However, major efforts are necessary to advance the scientific knowledge regarding the relationship between traditional use and scientific evidence, the optimization of extraction conditions, and the influence on biological mechanisms at animal and clinical levels. All efficacy claims currently rest on in vitro and isolated tissue data; no controlled human trials have been published for any indication. Evidence for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activity is mechanistically plausible and well-supported at the laboratory level, but clinical confirmation in humans is entirely absent as of the time of this writing.

References

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