Geranium, the Beauty that Heals

For most of us, geranium is that plant which makes beautiful and sometimes rose-scented flowers that are so pleasant to look at. Well, that is not the case with the Russians, who use it as a means to relieve stress, anxiety and other psychological disorders. There are many traditional medicinal uses of geranium, and many scientific studies have confirmed some of its therapeutic properties, most notably the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant and hypoglycemic ones.

Scientific studies

A study published in Lipids in Health and Disease in 2012 concluded that “the essential oil and organic extracts of Pelargonium graveolens possesses antimicrobial and properties, and is therefore a potential source of active ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industry.”

A study published in Molecules in 2012 showed that “the oil from Pelargonium graveolens has strong activity against all of the clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates, including multidrug resistant strains, MRSA strains and MLS(B)-positive strains.”

A study published on PLoS One in 2014 showed that “Pelargonium sidoides extract represents a lead candidate for the development of a scientifically validated herbal medicine for anti-HIV-1 therapy with a mode-of-action different from and complementary to current single-molecule drugs.”

A study published in Micron in 2014 concluded that “the Pelargonium zonale extract is a promising source for the isolation of antifungal and anticancer compounds.”

A study published in Lipids in Health and Disease in 2012 showed that “administration of essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress. Our results, therefore, suggest that the rose-scented geranium could be used as a safe alternative antihyperglycemic drug for diabetic patients.”

Uses and administration

• Stress, anxiety, angst, neurosis, migraines: Smell the flowers and the leaves or an essential oil.
• Toothache, ear ache, high blood pressure: Add a few pieces of geranium root in 200 ml of hot boiled water, cover the recipient and let steep and macerate for 8 hours. Sift and press the root pieces. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the obtained liquor, 3 times a day, before a meal.
• Asthma, kidney stones: Add 1 handful of finely cut geranium leaves in a recipient where 5 tablespoons of olive oil was already heated. Let it macerate for 2 weeks in a cool place and then sift it and store it in the refrigerator. Take 1 teaspoon, 3 times a day, before a meal, for 2 weeks.
• Dermic infections, ticks, arthritis, rheumatism: Add 2 tablespoons of finely cut geranium leaves and flowers in 200 ml of sunflower oil, let it macerate for 5 days in a dark place and then move the recipient in a lightsome place and let it macerate for another 45 days. Sift it and store it in the refrigerator in a tightly closed bottle. Use externally throughout the day.
• Neuralgia, muscle spasms, kinks: Make one poultice from fresh geranium leaves and another one with hot water. Apply the two poultices (the hot water one above the one from fresh leaves) for 30 minutes and repeat the procedure if needed.