אוטרה – Scented Geranium – Pelargonium Graveolens
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I treasure my scented geranium because the species
in my garden is of the hardy kind that can survive our harsh winters with
occasional frost. It thrives in our front yard and is often added to the myrtle
as good smelling herbs for Havdalah. ‘Pelargonium’ derives from the Greek
‘pelargos’ which means stork due to the shape of their fruit. The specific
epithet ‘graveolens’ refers to the strong-smelling leaves. The name Geranium
comes from the word Greek word ‘geronos’ – crane bird, because its fruit looks
like its beak. Scented geranium is a natural insect repellent and is well known
in the ancient world as a tick repellent for dogs and humans alike! While these
geraniums won’t rid our gardens of mosquitoes, they can significantly reduce
their numbers. Grow scented geraniums in full sun in large pots on your patio or
in the earth around your porch to take full advantage of their
mosquito-repelling attributes. Gently stroke their leaves to release the
aromatic fragrance. The rose geranium with its highly scented leaves is used in
protection sachets, and its fresh leaves are rubbed on doorknobs and windows to
protect the home.
Feminine, Balancing, Heart Opening
Geranium
One of my students recently asked me when we would
be learning about scented geranium in Herbal Workshop, so I chose to share some
insight about this flower now, although it grows throughout the year. Scented
geranium, best known as rose or lemon geranium, is a favorite of mine. I use
its natural essential oil as my daily perfume, for I feel that it resonates
beautifully with me. This may be why women always compliment my scent when I
wear pure geranium oil. Geranium is a classic remedy for those who focus so
heavily on work and the logical processes of life that they lose touch with
their ability to just sit and enjoy the wonders of the world. Geranium helps switching
gears so we can take a moment to appreciate and smell the flowers. Workaholics
and driven people like myself benefit most from a little geranium in their
lives. Geranium extends its warm hand of comfort to the ‘inner child’ and helps
open our hearts and heal the pain of repressed memories. It strengthens
our feminine or ‘yin’ aspects and promotes a creative, receptive lifestyle.
Geranium helps restore the balance of our adrenal and female hormonal systems
and balances the male and female energies. By nourishing the blood and yin,
geranium helps to ease conditions that lead to PMS, peri-menopause and related
symptoms, as well as fatigue and energy swings. Geranium is used in dream work
and astral travel. It also helps overcome depression and apprehension. I can
especially relate to geranium’s ability to help the mind focus at times when I
feel overwhelmed with pressure and the sense of ‘too much on my mind.’ In the
past, scented geranium was carried in small bouquets by fine ladies, used as
table decorations and exchanged between lovers. They were extremely popular in
Europe and North America throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In England
during the Victorian period, women with long dresses would purposely pass
scented geraniums to allow their dresses to touch the plants and spread the
good fragrance in the air to perfume their homes. In our time, geranium has
merited a ‘comeback’ in popularity.
Hardy Natural Protective Insect
Repellant
Medicinal Properties of Scented
Geranium
Scented geranium is used in the treatment of fevers
from influenza, inflammation of the lungs, pain and swellings of the limbs due
to its analgesic; anti-inflammatory; and febrifuge properties. Steep the leaves
in vinegar, when applied to scalp and forehead, they will ease headache
symptoms. Geranium heals bruises, cuts and scrapes, eczema and wounds due to
its vulnerary property. It’s main medicinal property is astringent, making a
good choice for herbal facials and baths. Pure geranium oil diluted with water
is good to add to baths and use topically for cleaning the face. Due to
geranium’s astringent property, it alleviates hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Geranium
water is wonderful to help refresh the skin of the face to prevent aging of the
skin and to treat protruding blood vessels and stains on the skin. In addition
to its astringent qualities, geranium also has antiseptic properties that heals
skin infections, treats sunburn and sores while restoring the balance to dry or
oily skin and hair. It is used as a hair rinse in order to prevent hair-loss.
The soothing qualities of geranium are helpful in relieving symptoms of anxiety
and insomnia, as well as PMS and menopausal symptoms. Drinking the plant as tea
helps to produce milk for nursing mothers. It is said that teas can also be
used for treatment of stomach ulcers.
Rose Geranium in Oriental Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, geranium is considered
neutral and sweet. Its affinity is for ‘wood’ and ‘earth’ with a particular
focus on the ‘liver,’ ‘heart,’ and ‘spleen’ meridians. This makes geranium
excellent for promoting circulation, strengthening weak, thin and stagnant or
slow moving blood. It also treats weakness of the spleen and restless or
agitated ‘shen.’
The outward symptoms of those conditions are anxiety, poor concentration,
pessimism, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and even chronic anger coupled with
depression. From the Ayruvedic perspective, geranium essential oil helps to
balance the heart energy center. It decreases kapha conditions (the binding nature of water energy) by
moving energy, which in turn strengthens and balances both pitta (the
transformative nature of fire energy) and vata (the mobile
nature of wind/air energy). Most often, geranium is considered a pitta
essential oil, meaning it has greatest affinity for cooling and calming the
fires of the mind and body. Overheated conditions, especially those centered on
the heart area such as in the lungs or heart, respond well to geranium’s
cooling nature. As a vata balancer, it treats energetic inflammation of
the mind or air element, such as anxiety and mood swings, overthinking, and
over-stimulation of the adrenal system. In Tibetan medicine, geranium root is
considered acrid and sweet with a cooling potency. It was dried and powdered
and put in mouth to relieve a sore mouth, especially for children.
Culinary Uses
The best thing about scented geraniums is that
the leaves and flowers are edible. They can be used to flavor jellies,
cakes, butters, ice creams, iced tea, sugar and more. Pound cake made with
scented geranium leaves is a classic. You can try placing the leaves in the
bottom of your prepared cake pan and pour the batter over the leaves, then bake
as usual. For a more earthy appearance
and stronger flavor grind six leaves with each cup of sugar in your pound cake
recipe and then prepare as usual, without placing leaves in the bottom of the
pan. Some herbal cooks keep a container of rose geranium sugar on the counter
to use in desserts. You can simply layer fresh leaves with your sugar, remove
the leaves after two weeks and enjoy. Whirling a leaf with sugar or honey in a
blender will give you instant flavor. Scented pelargonium jelly makes a special
gift. Make an apple jelly and place a
rose geranium leaf in the jelly before sealing.
Hands On
Scented geraniums are more than delightful
ornamentals. Their aromatic foliage, which gives scented geraniums their name,
is used as stewing herbs, potpourris, in sachets, baking and teas. Scented
geranium is a great addition to many herb teas. For example, a ginger scented
leaf will put zing in lemon balm tea. The essential oils of the scented
geraniums are used in toiletries, cosmetics and other flavor and fragrance
products. Scented geranium oil is
often used to supplement (or adulterate) expensive essential
rose oil. It can be used internally as in gel caps, topically as a massage
oil or liniment, or inhaled in an aromatherapy burner.
Rose Geranium Water
1 Handful of rose geranium
2 Cups water (clear rain-water if possible)
Simmer together for 15 minutes, steep for 2 hours,
then strain.
Larger quantities, perhaps at a time when the
plants are being pruned or cut back, may be made and frozen until required in
freezer bags.
Use as an after-shampoo-rinse by running the water
three or four times through the hair to give a pleasant fragrance and shine.
Rose geranium water can also be used as a cleansing astringent for the face and
neck.
Scented Geranium Tea
2 teaspoons dried or ¼ cup fresh geranium leaves.
1 cup boiling water
1. Pour boiling water over the leaves and let sit
for 5 minutes.
2. Strain the leaves out and drink.
You may drink this tea or use it as a facial
wash. Use with caution if you have
sensitive skin, as in some people the essential oil causes mild rash.
Geranium Oil Infusion
A large amount of geranium leaves
Olive oil to fill a jar
1. Fill a jar with dried geranium leaves almost to
the top.
2. Pour in extra virgin olive oil – make sure the
oil covers the herbs and goes a bit above the volume of the herbs.
3. Place in the sun for two weeks shaking it daily.
4. Strain out the flowers.
5. You can store this infusion in the fridge for up
to three months.
Geraniums can be harvested for oil when the plant
starts flowering.
Rose Geranium Cookies
¼ Cup olive oil
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Organic egg
½ Cup scented geranium tea
2 ½ Cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
About two dozen small rose geranium leaves
1. Soak rose geranium leaves 3 minutes in veggie
wash.
2. Rinse out and check each leaf carefully for
bugs.
3. Whisk oil and sugar together until smooth.
4. Add egg and continue whisking.
5. Mix in the flour
7. With a spoon place cookie size balls on trays
covered with baking paper.
Leave enough space (2 inches) between cookies.
8. Press a rose geranium leaf or flower well into
the cookie.
9. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
10. Remove and cool on wire racks. Store in an
airtight container.
Makes about two dozen cookies.
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