2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The geranium / Geranium Macrrorhizium L. / is an aromatic herb that spreads its fragrance in many homes. Geranium is a perennial herbaceous plant that has a very strongly developed horizontal rhizome. It belongs to the Zdravets family. Its stems are 15 to 40 cm high, covered with glandular hairs. The flowers of geranium are pink or purple-red. It blooms in May-June. There are dozens of species geranium, but the most common is wild / common / geranium.
The geranium grows in shady, moist, grassy or stony places in the mountains and foothills from 300 to 2500 meters above sea level. Along with geranium, geranium has become a traditional home flora.
The Bulgarian name of this medicinal plant is not accidental. The root of the word comes from "health", because the plant has a number of beneficial ingredients that make it an integral part of folk medicine.
Growing geraniums
If you want to grow this medicinal plant at home, do not worry, because the task is very easy to perform. Geranium loves well-drained soil, and in summer it should be fed every week. During the spring season, add specialized substances to the water for irrigation every 20-25 days. The best time for transplanting is March. Keep in mind that geranium does not like the presence of other plants around it because it considers them weeds and suffocates them.
The geranium loves moisture, should not be overdone with watering. In summer it should be watered more often - every 2-3 days. In winter, limit watering. However, geranium can withstand prolonged drought, but instead stops growing.
It can grow equally well in light and shade, but should not be left in direct sunlight, because its leaves turn yellow and gradually dry out. Until May, you can grow it indoors, but then it is recommended to take it outdoors. Under favorable growing conditions, geranium can delight you with its appearance and aroma between 3 and 10 years.
Composition of geranium
The leaves of the common geranium contain a large amount of essential oil, the main ingredient of which is p-cimol. Other ingredients in geranium are turmeric, bormeol, alcohols, ketones, tannins, sugars and flavonoids. Geranium contains rutin, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps absorb vitamin C. German scientists have found that the content of geramicin in Bulgarian geranium oil reaches 65%.
Application of geranium
It is believed that every home should have a planted wrist geraniumto keep the whole family healthy. Zdravets is present in many religious rituals and customs, adorns the favorite Bulgarian cakes. The plant contains a large amount of essential oils that are used to prepare perfumes. Its colors are used to dye fabrics in blue.
In some places, its roots are used to dye cotton or wool yarn in brown and yellow. Rabbits, sheep and goats are big fans of geranium taste. Because geranium blooms for a long time, it is also known as a honey plant. The honey collected from it has a golden color, very aromatic and very rich in vitamins and nutrients. Vitamin C is made from geranium leaves. It is used in veterinary medicine for the preparation of various medicines.
Benefits of geranium
Medicinal substances from geranium are extracted after drying and steaming the leaves, roots and flowers. The terrestrial part of the geranium is collected during flowering, and the rhizomes - in autumn and spring.
As it turned out, oil is obtained from geranium leaves. In folk medicine, the leaves are used in the form of tea, which helps with diarrhea, pain in the intestines and stomach. Geranium leaves are an effective remedy for hypertension, in addition to lowering blood sugar in diabetics.
The geranium acts as a capillary, anti-inflammatory and strengthens the immune system. Treats high blood pressure, improving blood circulation to the heart muscle. Geranium melts gallstones of cholesterol origin. Reduces blood sugar in diabetes, ischemia, angina and post-infarction. Geranium leaves are also used for bleeding gums.
The aqueous extract of the rhizome of geranium is used for external application as a compress for boils, inflammation and other skin problems, as well as tampons to stop bleeding from the nose.
To make an extract of geranium pour 2 tsp. finely chopped roots with 1 tsp. cold water and leave them soaked all day. The mixture is filtered and the extract is drunk within a day, 3-4 times. The extract of geranium roots is very useful in high blood pressure, it is also a good hypnotic. The extract can also be applied externally in the form of compresses for boils, sunburn and skin diseases.
To make a geranium infusion, drop three leaves of it in 1 tsp. boiling water. After cooling, strain and drink.
Before taking geranium, consult a doctor to avoid problems and side effects.
