Effects: Geranium contains a significant percentage of monoterpenol and has powerful anti-infectious agents. It is anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, neurotonic and balancing.
Use: The oil is used in aroma therapy, for example against depression and in case of hormonal imbalance. It can be added to skin care products and helps to heal wounds, against acne, in case of burns and other skin irritations. It is it an effective remedy for urinary tract infections, sore throat, oral ulcers and yeast infections.
Background information: Already in ancient Egypt, Persian and Roman traditions aroma therapy in form of scented creams and oils was well known in order to heal or stimulate positive feelings. For this reason also aromatic herbs were burnt and the word “perfume” derives from the Latin “per fume” (through smoke/fume). A maid of the goodness Aphrodite is supposed to have given the knowledge about odors to the people. The Greek philosopher Theophrastus described in the 3rd Century before Christ the healing effects of odors but not before the 1920ies the term “aroma therapy” was shaped by the French Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. Pelargonium originally comes from South Africa. In 1632 the English plant collector John Tradescant took the first pelargonium plant (Pelargonium triste) to England. In the former French colony Algeria it was first cultivated in 1847 to cater to the French perfume industry. For 1kg oil 800kg flowers are needed (steam distillation).
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Greece: In can be found very often in gardens and balconies. It is easily planted and does not need as frequent watering as other plants but needs a frequent contact with the sun. It grows very fast. It is sensitive to cold weather.
Germany: They are grown in gardens and also indoor, either as annuals or over-wintered indoor as they are not hardy. The essential oil as most interesting aspect of pelargonium graveolens as medicinal plant is imported still from South Africa, where the plant was explored originally, but mainly from Egypt, Algeria, Angola, Brasil and East African countries.
Poland: grown as a potted plant room, but in the summer it is also grown in pots on balconies, porches and garden.
Italy: In Italy it grows reasonably well in sunny areas though better in the shade as the hot summer sun has been known to leave the plant wilted.[/wpspoiler]
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Greece: Piperitsa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW4CcqMbIp0 Music: Stamatis Kraounakis, Lyrics: Giannis Kakoulidis, Vocals: Dimitra Galani
Germany: 1672 the German University professor Paul Herrmann collected several species around table mountain and made the plant known in Germany. In 1753 Carl von Linné already described 20 pelargonium species but already changed them with the in Germany popular geranium because it has similar looking leaves. Until today the plant is often called “Geranie” instead of “Pelargonie”. Both belong to the Geraniaceae family and are therefore distantly related.
According to Japanese studies the harmonising odour helps in case of communication problems. The Austrian herbalist Miriam Wiegele assumes that this might be a reason why Pelargonium radens is used for wedding buttonholes, a tradition in Carinthia.
Poland: In cultivation, however, kept a home is usually only a few years, since older specimens become ugly. A very characteristic feature of this plant is strong, rose, aromatic and refreshing smell emitted especially when rubbed leaves, produces large quantities because essential oils.
Italy: Italians in various regions popularly display the plant outside of windows and in gardens, mostly for the spray of colours afforded as well as the general beauty of the plant when in bloom.[/wpspoiler]
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Greece: Aromatic liqueur: Ingredients: 1,6 litters of rose wine, 400 gr. Sugar, 25 Pelargonium graveolens leaves. Procedure: Put wine into a large glass bottle. Add the sugar and stir until is starts to dissolve. Wash the leaves and put them in the bottle. Shake the bottle the first days until the sugar melts slowly. Leave it for 15 days and then strain and enjoy. Served chilled with ice and a slice of lemon.
Dried leaves can be use for potpourri to aromatize our rooms.
Pork with quince and geranium: Ingredients: 1 kg of pork cut into strips, 4 quinces, 10 prunes, 2 onions, 1 cup of sweet red wine, 1 lemon juice, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg, 4 leaves of pelargonium, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt & pepper. Procedure: Sauté the chopped onions with the meat in a pot with hot olive oil. Add wine, salt, pepper and nutmeg in the pot. Add some water and let the meat cook over medium heat. Peel the quinces and cut into slices. When the meat is almost ready, pour into the pan with the plums and leaves of pelargonium. Allow to boil for 15 minutes and add the lemon juice, sugar and a little water if necessary. Once the quinces are soft and ready serve. Served with steamed rice.
Germany: The oil is used in aroma therapy and also added to perfumes thanks to its sweet flowery fragrance. Its effects on infertility and menopausal symptoms make the oil particularly useful for women.
Add 5 drops each of Germanium and Bergamot oil to your bath water to relief from depression, anxiety, exhaustion or moodiness.
You can also take more Germanium oil, add oil, milk or honey and possibly sea salt.
For a body oil mix 10 drops with 50ml almond oil.
Poland: Its leaves are added to give it an aromatic tea, original flavor.
Italy: Used popularly today in Italy in an ointment cure for acne, burns, eczema and blisters.[/wpspoiler]
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Greece: It has relaxing properties, helps to alleviate nausea and migraine.
It can be used as an excellent natural insect repellent. Use 50 gr of leaves and ½ litter alcohol 40o for 12 days in a dark glass vase. Stain and use drop of it in places close to our sitting positions.
Germany: Pelargonium species are used in traditional African herbal medicine. E.g. Umckaloabo, an extract from the roots of P. sidoides. This got known when the British Major Charles Stevens was healed from tuberculosis thanks to Zulu medicine. In Germany it is used the past 100 years in aroma therapy.
Poland: The generation of aromatic oils (known as geranium oil) are used in the perfumery industry and in the confectionary arts for the production of perfume oils.
Italy: The Romans used Pelargonium essential oil for its healing powers, applying Pelargonium oil to open wounds.[/wpspoiler]
