Useful properties of geranium
For many city residents, houseplants are a way to be closer to nature. Flowers are pleasing to the eye, synthesize pure oxygen, and simply caring for them is a pleasure for many. However, in addition to these obvious advantages, houseplants can also be very beneficial for human health.
In particular, one of the most common indoor flowers, geranium, has a whole list of beneficial properties that help a person resist pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
This information has been scientifically confirmed. Researchers specifically dropped drops of a substance containing staphylococcus cells onto geranium leaves, and after a few hours they all died. Even more than that, drops with pathogenic microorganisms dripped at some distance from the flower, and the result was the same - all staphylococcal cells were disarmed. Thanks to these studies, it was concluded that geranium is able to disinfect the surrounding space and suppress the action of microbes.
The beneficial properties of geranium are due to its composition. Here you can find various organic acids, tannins, essential oil, substances such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, some salts, starch, and calcium. In addition, geranium contains the substance geranin, the properties of which have yet to be studied by scientists.
In addition to its independent impact on the surrounding space, this indoor plant is widely used in folk medicine. Medicines made from geranium have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, help relieve swelling and spasms. These effective compounds cope well with diseases of the upper respiratory tract and significantly improve the patient’s condition with sore throat, otitis media, and tonsillitis.
The leaves of this flower are also used fresh. For example, very young leaves fight dysentery and intestinal diseases very well. In addition, even just the presence of this plant in the room can alleviate diseases such as arrhythmia, ischemia, and tachycardia.
The essential oil obtained from this flower also has a number of beneficial properties for the human body. First of all, we are talking about the calming effect of geranium on the human nervous system. For stress, depression, and nervous breakdowns, it is very useful to carry out aromatherapy using this remedy. And even if you simply place pots of blooming geraniums in the bedroom, you can create a peaceful atmosphere, feel peace of mind, and even get rid of insomnia.
Using the essential oil of this plant, you can get rid of headaches and vascular spasms, improve blood circulation, and even lower sugar levels. And, by the way, you don’t have to buy it at the pharmacy. Here is a recipe for making essential oil from geranium at home:
Collect young leaves and flowers of the named indoor plant and grind them into a paste. You need to get a glass of this preparation. The pulp must be transferred to a glass (!) container and filled with medical alcohol in the amount of 1/2 cup. Close the lid very tightly and expose the workpiece to the sun. After two weeks, the alcohol infusion should be filled with olive oil (corn oil can be used). You need to take the same amount of oil as the resulting infusion. Ideally, the dishes should be filled to the top. Cover tightly again and leave in the sun for 14 days. At the end of this period, the mixture must be filtered and poured into dark bottles. Store it where children cannot get such a homemade product.
The ability to resist the development of thrombophlebitis is another useful property of geranium. However, it should be noted that substances that block even the possibility of blood clots, anticoagulants, are not found in all types of this plant.
Not only flowers, but also leaves and stems of geranium are used for medicinal purposes. These elements are used to make infusions, which are characterized by anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. These remedies are very effective for rheumatism and gout. In addition, these compounds can provide all possible assistance with salt deposits in the kidneys.
If you have indoor geranium in your household, you can forget about attacks of toothache. A decoction of these flowers perfectly relieves pain of this nature. The same remedy can stop sudden nasal or uterine bleeding, and it is even possible to revive a person who has had an epileptic seizure.
Contraindications
The use of geranium-based medicines can be limited by the presence of diseases such as ulcers and gastritis. Pregnant women, elderly people, as well as small children should not drink infusions and decoctions of geranium; only the external influence of this plant is allowed. You also need to remember about the individual characteristics of the body.
Traditional medicine recipes based on geranium
Now let’s try to experience the beneficial properties of geranium in practice.
Geranium infusion
An infusion of geranium can be obtained by soaking 2 teaspoons of plant leaves for 8 hours in boiled (cooled!) water, of which you need to take 2 cups. The resulting amount of decoction corresponds to the daily dose. Helps with gastritis if you drink it according to Art. spoon every two hours.
It is also a very good remedy for diarrhea. The patient should divide the daily dose into small portions and drink it throughout the day.
The same recipe can significantly relieve pain from gout and rheumatism. To reduce pain in the joints, you need to drink the entire daily dose of the infusion in small sips throughout the day.
Geranium decoction
Geranium decoction can dissolve kidney stones. The roots of the plant are used in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons. They need to be added to a saucepan with cold water (1 cup), heated to a boil, then reduced to low, and cooked for 10 minutes. Then the workpiece must be removed from the heat and left to infuse for another 60 minutes. Strain the resulting broth. Before use, dilute the medicine with water so that the original volume is obtained. Take the decoction up to 4 times a day, drinking half a glass of healing liquid each time. The course can last up to 3 weeks.
Indoor flowers, which so effectively dilute our gray everyday life, still conceal a lot of unexplored and inexplicable things. By caring for our plants at home, we, without knowing it, can receive a wonderful gift in return - excellent health!
Do you use the beneficial properties of your indoor geranium? Perhaps these are medicinal products or beauty recipes? Share your recipes through the comments!
Svetlana Frantseva “Beneficial properties of geranium. Contraindications. Recipes" especially for the Eco-Life website.
Photo: Alexey Korostiy
The Geraniaceae family, which includes numerous species of geranium from Europe and Asia and pelargonium from southern Africa, has attracted human attention since ancient times. Not only decorative geraniums were celebrated; the beneficial properties of plants with figured or lacy dissected foliage and flowers of all shapes and colors were well known back in Ancient Greece.
History of the use of medicinal properties of geranium
Botanists know about 400 species of wild geraniums, whose range extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, from northern Europe to India. Several indigenous varieties of geranium are used in folk medicine. Almost all members of the family are amazed by the richness of their biochemical composition, including indoor pelargoniums and hybrid varieties.
Systematic study of the medicinal properties of geranium began only in the second half of the 19th century. Attention to the culture was attracted by its popularity among the poor, and the plant was used so widely that the leaves, roots, and flowers of geranium were used.
Today, traditional medicine and homeopaths confirm the experience of their ancestors and highly value geranium for its beneficial properties, activity against pathogenic flora, anti-inflammatory and regenerating qualities.
Active substances in geranium
Geranium rhizomes and its green aerial parts are prepared as medicinal raw materials. This is where the maximum amount of biologically active substances and compounds is concentrated.
The main treasure of plants from the geranium genus is geraniol, a valuable aromatic alcohol that is part of the famous geranium oil. And besides it, the composition of plant raw materials contains:
- glucose and fructose;
- flavonoids;
- saponins;
- catechins;
- a huge amount of tannins, the content of which in some cases reaches 4%;
- compounds with antibacterial and antiviral properties;
- carotene, vitamins K and C;
- macro- and microelements;
- alkaloids;
- anthocyanins.
Most often used for medicinal purposes, meadow and blood red. But not only wild plants are rich in useful substances; fragrant indoor geranium has hardly less medicinal properties than its relative from the forest edge.
Medicinal properties of geranium and their use
Geranium has pronounced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and antiviral properties. Preparations based on herbal raw materials can actively soothe, have a beneficial effect on performance, resistance to stressful situations, and insomnia.
The medicinal properties of geranium include the ability to:
- prevent the occurrence of edema;
- relieve pain and fever;
- fight pathogenic microflora and inflammatory processes on the skin and mucous membranes;
- reduce blood pressure.
The plant has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, digestive tract and liver, urinary tract, reproductive system and kidneys. In folk medicine, geranium is used to treat osteochondrosis and.
Geranium is an effective antidepressant that calms, stabilizes the mental and psychological state, and has a beneficial effect on work ability and quality of sleep.
Geranium oil properties and its uses
The product has pronounced antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties, which are appreciated by cosmetologists and dermatologists. Thanks to these properties of geranium oil, it is used in the treatment of acne, pustular skin lesions, cellulite and other cosmetic problems.
The plant’s ability to influence cell regeneration processes and its mild disinfecting effect determine the benefits of geranium for the treatment of psoriasis. Today, plant raw materials and oils are used in therapy:
- eczema that is difficult to treat;
- consequences of frostbite;
- severe burns.
In addition, geranium oil is an effective remedy for migraines, insomnia, and irregular menstruation.
Using the beneficial properties of geranium in everyday life
Sometimes the activity of a plant raises a reasonable question among amateur gardeners: “Is it possible to keep geranium at home? Will it have a negative impact on the atmosphere in the room?
Such fears are completely unfounded. Geranium plants actually actively distribute aromatic substances and phytoncides around themselves. This improves the air quality in the house, and the ability to neutralize toxic impurities and odors makes the flower indispensable in both big cities and rural areas.
A houseplant will not only decorate the interior, it will help cope with annoying insects. For example, the smell of geranium is poorly tolerated by mosquitoes and flies.
And people in the presence of fragrant geranium:
- become calmer;
- sleep better;
- suffer less from headaches and migraines.
The beneficial properties of geranium also appear in the garden. Garden species can be used to control insect pests and weeds. Geranium phytoncides suppress the activity of both. As a result, time and effort are saved on processing the garden and garden.
Preparation of geranium plant raw materials and its storage
The above-ground part of the plant and the rhizomes of geranium can be collected and stored for future use. The greens are cut during flowering and carefully dried in the shade or in special dryers at temperatures up to 45 ° C.
It is better to dig up the roots in the fall, when the maximum amount of active and nutrients accumulates in them. After clearing the soil, washing and drying, the rhizomes are cut into small fragments and dried at a temperature not exceeding 60 °C.
The beneficial properties of geranium in dried roots last for two years, but in greens - only up to a year.
Contraindications for the use of geranium
Given the mass of medicinal properties of geranium, contraindications to its use for medical purposes may seem insignificant. And yet it is worth taking them into account, especially if family members have a tendency to allergies, or we are talking about treating young children.
Some people experience an allergic reaction to the aroma of geranium and its oil, which manifests itself in respiratory symptoms: sore eyes, runny nose, cough and sore throat. Even the most beneficial properties of geranium will not bring health if your health worsens due to allergies.
For children, all geranium-based preparations intended for internal use should be used only with the permission of the attending physician. External use is limited only by individual intolerance. The same requirements fully apply to:
- to pregnant and lactating women;
- to persons with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage.
Older people, as well as those with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, should not abuse treatment with folk remedies based on geranium and its oil.
Video about the beneficial properties of geranium
Geranium has been found growing wild in South Africa. In the middle of the 16th century, the plant was brought to Europe, and then it came to Russia. Since that time, it began to be grown everywhere as an ornamental flower, and also used for medicinal purposes.
Today, the plant is actively used to obtain valuable essential oils and prepare medicinal decoctions and infusions. Large industrial flower plantations can be found in Georgia, Turkey, some Mediterranean countries and Armenia. From the article you will learn how geranium is useful and its medicinal properties.
Today, about 250 varieties of geranium are known. For medicinal purposes, fragrant geranium (Pelargonium) and rose geranium are most often used. Its leaves and flowers contain a large number of useful substances, they have the following effects:
- antibacterial and antiviral;
- antiseptic;
- wound healing;
- tonic;
- pain reliever;
- rejuvenating;
- decongestant.
Using various methods of processing parts of the plant, as well as the use of additional components (chamomile, sage, oak bark and others), a complex effect is achieved. It is because of this that geranium is often used in cosmetology, medicine and even cooking.
The healing effect of the plant has been known since ancient times; today the effect of using geranium has been proven through chemical analysis of the flower. Almost all parts of the plant (leaves, stem, flowers and roots) have beneficial properties. The following components were found in their composition:
- essential oils (of greatest value);
- phytoncides;
- flavonoids;
- pectin;
- carotene;
- gum;
- tannins, tannins;
- saponins;
- organic acids;
- starch.
In addition, a special substance was found in the plant - geraniol. It has a strong antimicrobial effect, due to which it is actively used in cosmetology and perfumery.
Indications
There are a large number of areas and areas of medicine, as well as cosmetology, where the medicinal properties of geranium flowers and leaves are actively used. Some of them:
- Otolaryngological diseases. The plant is used to treat otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis and other inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx and ear. As a rule, these are drops for rinsing or inhalation containing essential oils and flower extracts;
- Neurology. Preparations based on geranium are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of mild forms of intercostal neuralgia, since the essential oils of the plant have an analgesic and restorative effect. In addition, the plant is successfully used for radiculitis, gout and arthrosis;
- Hair and skin diseases. Due to its regenerating effect, geranium oil is used to make preparations against alopecia (baldness), as well as to enhance hair growth. The plant extract is also useful for head lice, eczema and psoriasis during remission. Found in natural products for topical use;
- Neuro-emotional disorders. Used to combat insomnia, neuroses, and also as an auxiliary drug to reduce headaches;
- Healing agents. It is used together with chamomile and sage as part of hemostatic preparations.
In addition, geranium is used as a biological insecticide, and also as a component of aromatherapy, for example, to reduce nervousness and normalize sleep. Most often, essential oils from geranium leaves and flowers are found in preparations for topical use (ointments, creams and lotions).
Use in folk medicine
There are approximately 150 known varieties of indoor geranium, which also have beneficial properties. This is an affordable plant that can be found in almost every home. It is used more often than others in all kinds of folk recipes.
However, almost any variety of geranium can be used to create home remedies. For use, you should take only parts of a healthy and strong plant without any signs of disease, rot or other defects.
Decoction
This is the most affordable way to use plant parts at home. All decoctions do not contain alcohol and can be used for both children and adults. If you are not allergic to the components, such products can also be used during pregnancy (if there are no contraindications). Effective decoction recipes:
- From leaves. Take 1 tbsp. spoon of dried leaves of homemade geranium and pour 200 ml of water. Boil the mixture for 1 minute, let it brew for 30 minutes and strain. The decoction is useful for diseases of the excretory system, as well as for neurological disorders. It is also used to treat inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx (tonsillitis, chronic rhinitis);
- From the root. Grind the dried root of the plant to a powder, or buy a ready-made mixture at the pharmacy. Pour in 200 ml of water and let it brew for 1.5 hours; after straining, take a quarter glass of the broth 3 times a day, or use it as a rinse. Useful for stomatitis, hypertension and inflammatory diseases of the throat. As an external remedy for the treatment of dermatological problems.
Pelargonium root extract is used in the popular pharmaceutical drug Umkalor. It has a wide spectrum of action and is actively used in otolaryngology for both children and adults. Recommended for the treatment of sinusitis.
Infusion
The use of infusions is especially effective, since this method of using the plant retains its beneficial properties longer, and the duration of preparation of the composition reduces the likelihood of side effects. You can infuse the leaves, flowers and roots of the plant.
The most popular method of use is honey water. To create it, you need to take 10 fresh geranium leaves and add cold water. Add 1 teaspoon of flower honey to the mixture, and then let it brew for 10 hours.
This folk remedy has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and is used for external use. Useful for wound healing, as well as for the treatment of stomatitis and conjunctivitis. It should be borne in mind that honey is a strong allergen; before applying it to the skin, you need to make sure that there is no individual intolerance to this component.
Tincture
The leaves and roots of fragrant geranium can also be used to prepare an alcohol tincture. It is used externally as an antiseptic, or taken internally for insomnia and frequent stress. To prepare it you should take 3 tbsp. spoons of crushed leaves or roots and pour 200 ml of ethyl alcohol.
The drug should be infused for 7 days in a dark place at room temperature. Before use, the geranium tincture must be strained.
Essential oil
It can be purchased at any pharmacy. The cost of oil depends on the variety of geranium, manufacturer and region of collection. It is obtained only from the aerial parts of young plants, so the product has a specific smell. Geranium essential oil has a whole range of beneficial properties and is used for the following procedures:
- aromatherapy (various cold and hot inhalations, as well as adding oil when visiting the sauna, or for combing);
- massotherapy;
- medicinal baths (especially effective for chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema);
- compresses and applications.
The oil is actively used both in medicine and cosmetology due to its ability to enhance the process of cell regeneration and have an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and bacterial effect.
Geranium in cosmetology
For cosmetic purposes, only geranium essential oil is usually used. It is used as part of various homemade masks, scrubs and creams. In addition, it is useful to add oil to care shampoo to achieve a therapeutic effect.
For hair, geranium essential oil is recommended for rubbing into the scalp for head lice and seborrhea. And to prevent alopecia and enhance the growth of curls, it is mixed with cedar, burdock or almond oil and used for aromatherapy.
Geranium for the face is effective for the treatment and prevention of mild forms of neurodermatitis, acne, red flaky spots and fungal infections. It has a rejuvenating effect and additionally tones and heals the epidermis. Essential oil can be used as a component for masks, or as part of aromatherapy.
Geranium in cooking
To prepare some dishes, you can use only lemon geranium. It is used in recipes for homemade sweet syrups or making jelly and milkshakes.
Most often, geranium leaves of this type are used as a decoration or spice for meat and vegetable dishes. The fragrant and aromatic smell gives a piquant aroma and enhances the taste. The leaves of this plant can also be found in some universal seasonings, for example, for marinade or cooking meat.
Contraindications for use
Despite the large number of beneficial properties, contraindications must be taken into account before using any parts of indoor geranium. It is not recommended to use the plant in any form in the following cases:
- chronic and acute diseases of the digestive system;
- individual intolerance and allergy to parts of the plant;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- diseases of the circulatory system, increased blood clotting, tendency to form blood clots.
Geranium is one of the most popular ornamental plants. Few people know that it has a whole range of beneficial properties. Proper use of parts of this flower will help cope with complex chronic diseases, and thanks to its gentle effect, essential oil and home remedies can be used even by children and the elderly.
Geranium, or, as it is popularly called, cranberry, is a root plant, in the family of which there are about 400 species of different herbs and shrubs. Depending on the variety, it can be a perennial or annual plant. The stems appear to have a forked-branched structure.
The length of the geranium stretches from 30 to 70 cm, the flowers on the stems are collected in inflorescences or grow singly, and the ripe seed fruits are stored in a cracking box, which, when ripe, are carried by the wind over vast distances.
When preparing raw materials, you first need to determine what type of plant your plant belongs to, because the efficiency of drying and shelf life depend on the correct choice. Even when collecting, you should select the raw materials extremely carefully, because if you confuse geranium with another plant, you can ruin the entire composition and, instead of the desired therapeutic effect, harm your health.
You also need to take into account that when harvesting meadow geraniums, you should take the rhizomes and the ground part as a basis. Geranium is harvested during its flowering period, from the beginning of June to the end of autumn. For some varieties, in addition to flowers, roots are also harvested, but they need to be dug up only in late autumn, after the entire upper part of the plant has died off.
The collected raw materials should be dried in the open air or attic, the main thing is that the temperature in which the raw materials are located does not exceed 45 degrees and the air is not too humid. Under such conditions, the shelf life can reach one year in a glass jar.
If the geranium variety is blood-red, the collected raw materials should be stored in special fabric bags and used as necessary for medicinal purposes. The shelf life in this form can be more than two years.
Medicinal properties of geranium
The most important properties:
- hemostatic;
- diuretic;
- bactericidal;
- antiviral;
- pain reliever;
- antidiabetic.
Geranium also regulates the functioning of the entire cardiovascular system and helps with headaches. Applying a fresh, cool leaf to your wrist can help stabilize your blood pressure.
The plant normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys. People suffering from disorders of these organs must have geranium at home; even the simple presence of a flower can slightly improve their well-being.
Geranium also has a positive effect on people suffering from high acidity of gastric juice or chronic gastritis.
If you apply a geranium leaf to a sore tooth, its active substances will help relieve pain. Using crushed leaves, you can make compresses that help with radiculitis and osteochondrosis.
Use in folk medicine
Decoctions
To prepare a medicinal decoction we will need:
- 200 g boiling water;
- 1 tablespoon of dried geranium leaves.
Dry crushed leaves must be poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for 10 minutes. Then the resulting liquid must be filtered through cheesecloth. You need to take this decoction 1 tablespoon five times a day after meals. To use the decoction in the treatment of external diseases, you should make lotions and dilute them in a ratio of 1:2, that is, for one glass of boiling water you need 2 tablespoons of dry leaves.
Geranium can also be used to make an excellent decoction for gargling. Dried root and dry leaves must be used as raw materials. One teaspoon of crushed root must be poured with 200 grams of boiling water, then simmer for five minutes, at the end add a tablespoon of leaves and let cool. This remedy is excellent for stomatitis, tonsillitis, sore throat and other diseases of the mouth and throat.
Plant juice
It should be noted that juice is the most effective medicine of all listed, since it contains a plant concentrate that contains all the beneficial elements. But its preparation is also expensive and labor-intensive: to get one tablespoon of juice, you need to squeeze one whole adult plant. This makes it difficult to produce juice at home in large quantities.
If you have enough raw materials, you can get an effective medicine. It is best to use the stems and leaves to make juice. All collected parts of the plant should be finely chopped, and then press the resulting crushed mass through cheesecloth, squeezing out the maximum amount of juice. The juice will be a good medicine for cardiovascular diseases and stomach problems.
Tincture
As a rule, all tinctures are prepared on the basis of alcohol or oil; geranium tincture is no exception.
Such tinctures are usually used for problems with the gastrointestinal tract, for various types of bleeding, and simply to improve well-being.
To prepare geranium tincture we will need:
- 100 grams of alcohol;
- 3 tablespoons of uniformly crushed plant parts.
Only fresh leaves or stems should be used as crushed raw materials. All components must be thoroughly mixed in a container convenient for you and allowed to brew, put in a warm and dark place for 3-5 days. The tincture should be used only in diluted form, 10 grams per tablespoon of water. However, it should only be taken twice a day on an empty stomach, morning and evening.
Essential oil
In appearance, geranium oil is a yellow-green viscous oily liquid. It has a tart herbaceous aroma with slight notes of rose and citrus, most often it is used as an aromatic oil, which has an excellent tonic effect and is also very relaxing.
This extract can be obtained only from two varieties of plants - rose geranium and lemon pelargonium. To do this, you need to use only the ground part of the flower, which was collected during the period of intense flowering.
The amount of raw materials needed to prepare 1 ml of valuable oil is 1 kg. Next, you need to pass the raw materials through special equipment for steam distillation and distillation cubes to obtain the finished oil. Taking all this into account, we can say that producing oil at home is an extremely unprofitable activity. However, it can be purchased in pharmacies at reasonable prices.
Simple recipes
Geranium can be an excellent help for insomnia. Dry leaves must be placed tightly in a cloth, thereby making a kind of small pillow, and put it in the bed. The lemon-mint aroma will help strengthen the nervous system and improve sleep.
Essential oil perfectly helps improve the condition of people suffering from pathologies of the cardiovascular system. For this recipe, you need to dissolve 5 drops of oil in 150 grams of water and take three times a day before meals. This course must be continued for two weeks.
To improve blood circulation, you can use the following drug. It is prepared like this: pour 20 grams of dry leaves with 200 grams of boiling water and leave them in a cool place for one night. Take a few sips five times a day for 10 days. The infusion helps well in the treatment of thrombosis.
For any type of sore throat or chronic tonsillitis, a good solution would be to gargle with a decoction that is prepared from 50 grams of leaves and 450 grams of boiling water. You need to rinse for no more than 15 minutes five times a day until complete healing.
Bronchitis can be cured by inhalation; to do this, you need to mix the same decoction with a couple of drops of oil in 0.5 liters of water and pour it into the inhaler. The procedures must be carried out until complete recovery three times a day for 10–15 minutes.
Calluses and corns can be treated extremely effectively and quickly with the help of lotions made from fresh leaves, simply by applying them to the wound. You can also prepare cosmetic ice by freezing a decoction mixed with juice in a 2:1 ratio into cubes. This ice is great for smoothing out wrinkles and improving complexion.
Geranium oil will help get rid of headaches and tone up. A couple of drops must be placed in a special lamp. The aroma of the oil will relax you in a short time, and the active substances that will evaporate into the air will help restore blood pressure.
Geranium oil will help partially cure foot fungus and relieve inflammation. You need to add 20 drops of essential oil to one small foot bath. Steam your feet for 15 minutes twice a day until the inflammation goes away.
Despite the medicinal properties of geranium, it must be used with extreme caution, especially when treating children. Geranium is dangerous to use for people suffering from constipation, stomach ulcers and those prone to thrombophlebitis, as well as pregnant women.
You can learn recipes for preparing folk remedies from geranium from the following video:
Geranium is not only an ornamental plant that can decorate your garden or home, it also has incredible healing properties that will help your family not get sick. It is enough to keep just one flower, which will spread its aroma throughout the apartment, this will help you stop feeling headaches and always be in good shape.
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2017-11-25T15:59:42+00:00
Our grandmothers knew that geranium is a medicine from the windowsill. This is in addition to the fact that the flower is beautiful and spreads a pleasant smell into the house. It is strange that the article does not mention that geranium helps get rid of ear pain. Especially at the stage when otitis media is just beginning. When you can’t get to the doctor yet, and an unpleasant tingling begins in your ear, you must tear off a fresh leaf from the flower, wash it, rub it a little in your palms and stick it in your ear. After half an hour, an hour, the pain goes away. Tested by personal experience.
2017-11-23T09:46:05+00:00
It’s easier to buy this decoction at the pharmacy. Let a beautiful flower grow on the windowsill. And in general, traditional medicine has been forgotten a long time ago. Nowadays there are already a lot of medicines for all sorts of diseases and you don’t have to suffer through making and using these decoctions, because they probably don’t taste good.
Geranium is one of the most popular house plants. She won universal love among flower growers not only for her bright appearance and unpretentiousness. Indoor species have unique qualities that our grandmothers knew about. This article describes some of the beneficial properties of geranium.
In folk practice, there are many recipes based on various parts. But even just a flower growing in a room brings a lot of benefits to the room and its inhabitants.
Back in the middle of the last century, bright plants were kept on the windowsill in almost every home. Our grandmothers considered the flower a talisman for their home.
Geranium has the following properties:
- cleans the air in the room, destroying harmful bacteria;
- enhances the positive energy at home, extinguishes irritation and anger of family members, helps restore relationships between quarreling spouses, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, helps to relax and promotes sound sleep;
- indoor geranium has an antiviral effect, which is especially important during the cold and flu season;
- the smell of geranium protects the house from unwanted insects. In the summer, in the house where these flowers are planted, you will not find either mosquitoes or annoying flies. In addition, you do not need to use additional anti-moth products. Many gardeners even plant outdoor varieties on the site to preserve the harvest from the invasion of garden pests.
Geranium – treatment of diseases
The list of diseases and ailments that geranium successfully copes with is huge. The plant is used both to treat mild colds and to combat intractable diagnoses.
All parts of the plant are used to prepare medicines. The leaves, roots and flowers contain a large amount of useful minerals, essential oils, vitamin C, carotene, and flavonoids. Thanks to this unique composition, geranium has antiviral, hemostatic, wound-healing, and antibacterial effects. Decoctions from the leaves have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach and intestines, helping to cope with digestive disorders.
At the first sign of a cold, you can start preparing natural medicine. Gargling with a warm decoction of the leaves will relieve a sore throat. To do this, 25 g of leaves are boiled for several minutes in a liter of water, then filtered. Rinse is used several times a day at intervals of 3-4 hours. For a runny nose, place 2-3 drops of freshly squeezed plant juice into each nostril.
Geranium has proven itself well for ear pain. At the first symptoms of discomfort or pain, the leaf should be kneaded well with your fingers, rolled into a tube and placed in the ear. You can get rid of toothache in a similar way.
To improve blood circulation and normalize blood pressure, a geranium leaf is applied for half an hour on the wrist of the left hand, in the place where the pulse is felt.
The juice of the plant can be used as a strong hemostatic agent. For uterine bleeding, you need to take 20-30 drops of fresh juice orally every 2 hours. A tampon soaked in juice will help with frequently recurring nosebleeds. It must be inserted into the nostril for 30-40 minutes each time blood begins to flow.
For cancer patients, it is recommended to use the decoction daily. To prepare it, take a tablespoon of crushed leaves, pour boiling water over it and leave to steep overnight. During the day, the decoction is often drunk in small sips. The product helps the body fight cancer cells, preventing the appearance of new ones.
An aromatic pillow with dry geranium leaves and flowers will help cope with insomnia. You can also add other herbs to the herb bag, such as hops, fern, lavender. A similar effect will be obtained if you drop 2-3 drops of essential oil on a napkin and place it near the bed.
Video “Geranium oil - composition, properties and treatment with geranium oil”
Contraindications to treatment with geranium
Like any medicine, geranium leaves can sometimes cause harm instead of the expected benefit. Contraindications to treatment are:
In the presence of chronic diseases of various organs, the attending physician must decide on the possibility of taking the decoction. He will compare the beneficial properties and contraindications and give appropriate recommendations.
Geranium and cosmetology
Geranium oil
Geranium is also widely used in the preparation of cosmetics.
An ice cube with geranium juice will help restore the elasticity and natural shine of the skin. This product is recommended for use by middle-aged women when age-related skin changes appear. Substances that contain plant juice stimulate cell renewal processes and increase the elasticity of the skin.
Young girls can use a decoction. This is especially true for those with oily skin. When chilled, this natural lotion copes well with pimples, blackheads, redness, helps narrow pores and normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
A decoction of the leaves is also used to strengthen hair. To achieve results, you need to rinse your hair with it after each washing procedure.
If, after the described beneficial properties of geranium, there are still doubts whether it is needed, just look at the variety of varieties and species of the plant. Bright, showy flowers will be a wonderful decoration for your room. and if necessary, they can cure illnesses.
