Spotted Geranium (Geranium maculatum), also known as wild geranium or cranesbill, has a long history of traditional use in North America, particularly among Indigenous peoples and later in Western herbal medicine. The root of the plant is known for its high tannin content, which gives it strong astringent properties. Traditionally, astringents have been used to contract and tone tissues, making them useful in herbal remedies designed to support gum health and manage conditions such as bleeding gums or mild gum inflammation (gingivitis). Historical herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries frequently list Geranium maculatum as a remedy for oral and throat issues, including mouth ulcers and bleeding gums.

However, there is limited scientific research directly assessing the effectiveness of Spotted Geranium specifically for gum health. The justification for its use comes mainly from its astringent action, which is well understood chemically (due to tannins), but there are no high-quality clinical trials confirming its benefit for gum disease or oral health conditions in humans. Some in vitro studies confirm its antimicrobial and astringent properties, but these do not translate directly to clinical efficacy. Therefore, its use for supporting gum health is rooted primarily in tradition, with modest supporting evidence from the known properties of its constituents rather than robust scientific validation.