GERANIUM - Know your HERBS -

**Admin** Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:20 am

The botanical name for Geranium is Pelargonium graveolens.

Geraniums range in height from six inches to four feet. The common zonal geraniums are used mainly as potted plants and grow 12 to 18 inches tall. The colors of the blooms vary, with red, pink, magenta, violet, purple, white and salmon the most common. Geranium foliage is green, but during cool temperatures a reddish tint may appear on the leaves.

The parts of the Geraniums used, are: leaves

Health Benefits of Geraniums

Geraniums were used in South African cultures as a traditional medicine for healing wounds, abscesses, cold sores, sore throats and infections, and continue to have a wide array of uses in the garden, kitchen and medicine cabinet.

Geranium essential oil brings a radiant glow when used in skin care, it's slightly astringent property opens and cleans pores. Geranium's powerful, leafy-rose aroma is a relaxant, calming nerves and uplifting the spirits. Recent studies confirm that geranium oil dramatically reduces pain following an outbreak of shingles. Geranium can be used as an insecticide against head lice.