Geranium

Geraniums, cranesbill, herb robert, red robin, death come quickly, doves foot, apple geranium

Family

Geraniaceae

Chinese Medicine Name

Tian Shu Kui

Ayurvedic Name

N/A

Parts Used

Whole plant, leaf, oil, root

Actions

Astringent, antibacterial, anti-cancerous, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-dysentery, and anti-diabetic, coagulant/hemostatic, demulcent, diuretic, insecticide, tonic, vermifuge, vulinary, 

Energetics

Warm & Cooling

Edible Uses

Geraniums are edible and are often used to decorate dessert or to bring their essence to water, warmed as tea or brewed cold. It is important not to confuse geranium for oleander in the wild, however, as they are similar in appearance. Oleander is not considered edible. 

Native To

South Africa  

Geographic Distribution

Cultivated worldwide

Botanical Description & Identification 

Pelargonium contains about 280 species of annual, biennial, and perennial herbaceous shrubs and are some of the most common greenhouse plants worldwide. These plants have thick leaves which can be lobe shaped to with clusters of flowers which vary in color, from white, to pink, to red, to violet. Cultivated versions may come with double flowers and mixed colors with elongated flower stalks and drooping flower petals. This plant prefers well-balanced to rich soil but must not be overly moist. The flowers bloom continuously throughout the summer. 

Key Constituents

Terpenes, esters, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones and phenols, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and their esters (geraniol, linalool, citronellol and their esters (50–70%))* 

Sustainability Issues

None known.  

Harvesting Guidelines

Geraniums are easily replanted through stem cuttings of more mature plants. The stems should be cut diagonally just above the root system or below a node. Remove all but two or three buds and set the stem aside for 24 hours of the sun and protected by paper until the root has had a chance to seal up a bit. After a day the stem must be planted in moisented soil and left in a shady spot about 2 days, moving to indirect sunlight and watering as needed until the root seems to be growing well. This plant should be deadheaded often to help maintain continuous growth. To create essential oils of geranium flowers it is best to harvest in the morning hours after about 4 months of transplantation or when the flowers exhibit a change of scent from lemon-like to that of a rose. The leaf blades have the most oil followed by the petioles. Woody parts of this plant are not used for steam distillation as this part of the plant carries negligible oil.  

Uses