Pelargonium graveolens
Botanical Nomenclature | Pelargonium graveolens |
Common Name | Rose Geranium, Sweet Scented Geranium |
Taxonomy- Family | Geraniaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Pelargonium graveolens is a perennial plant growing up to 1,5m, with gray-green, toothed, plush, deeply incised, fragrant leaves and pink or purple, hermaphrodite flowers with five petals growing in inflorescences. The flowering and the harvesting take place from May to July. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves, stems |
Active Substances | Essential oil which contain citronellol, geraniol, linalool, menthone, isomenthone, limonene, pinene and methyl-eugenol. Esters, aldehydes (geraniol), flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, cumarins, proanthocyanidins. |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has astringent, hemostatic, healing, antiseptic, hypoglycaemic, diuretic and insect repellent properties. It is used as adrenal glands' stimulator, especially againt adrenal insufficiency. The herbal tea is recommended for the treatment of diabetes, kidney stones, tonsillitis, stress, depression, sore throat and hoarseness. It is applied externally to the skin and it is used as component in dermocosmetic products as it is effective against bleeding, wounds, burns, skin ulcers and other skin problems. The plant's extract is also used as component in cosmetics and personal care products such as soaps, perfumes and creams as flavor. The geranium oil is mainly consist of Pelargonium graveolens' extract and it is widely used in aromatherapy and in skincare, as it prevents body odor and bacterial growth. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried leaves in a cup boiled water for 10min, up to 3 times a day) and infusion (a spoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water for 5min, three times a day). It is used as ingredient in cosmetic products such as creams, ointments and perfumes, as well in the form of essential oil for external use. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects are reported. |
References | 1) http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail26.php#Prep 2) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pelargonium+graveolens 3)http://www.herbsociety.org/factsheets/Pelargonium%20Guide.pdf 4)http://www.reherb.eu/en/content/pelargonium-graveolens 5)http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/p/pelargonium-graveolens=rose-geranium.php |