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Scented Geranium
Pelargonium species
Most Scented Geraniums originate from the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, and
although they were introduced to Britain in 1632, they were pretty much
unknown until 1847, when they became valuable to the
French perfume industry. The Rose-scented geranium, ‘P. graveolens‘, yields
a light rose perfume with fresh green notes. The Victorians used to bring
their pots of Scented Geraniums indoors and set them on the
floor where the sun would nurture them and their skirts could rustle them
and release the scent. In the summertime, they placed the pots along
walkways to give the same aromatic effect.
The plants enjoy a sunny, airy spot, in well-drained soil or potting soil.
Though Scented Geraniums can be planted in the ground in the warm months,
they should be repotted and brought indoors for the cold months, where they
make excellent house plants. Most of them grow within the 8” to 2 foot-high
range, though to keep them at a manageable size, they can be pinched out and
used, as described below. To harvest the leaves, pick them at any time, and
then they can be dried.
USES
Culinary
Flower - Toss in salads.
Leaf - Infuse as a strong tea or chop finely, to use in making sauces,
custards, jellies, icing, buns, water ices, butters, sugars, syrups and
vinegars (macerate whole leaves). Crystallize to decorate cakes. Lay
leaves under baked apples or cakes to impart the lovely flavor. The
different scented geraniums impart their distinctive flavors to various
types of dishes, for instance the nutmeg-scented one for liver pate, or
the apple scented one with Welsh rarebit or in watercress soup. The
intensely lemon-scented “Mabel Grey” is excellent to use because of its
strong lemon scent. The lemon-scented “French Lace” is a petite, variegated,
curly-leaved, very ornamental plant.
Cosmetic
Leaf - Add the essential oil to perfume and face creams to balance out oily
skin areas and to calm inflamed skin. Infuse as a mild astringent to clean
and help circulation of pale, sluggish complexions. All Scented Geraniums
can be added to the bathwater for their help in soothing many skin
conditions.
Aromatic
Leaf - Use in potpourri and pillows.
Medicinal
Leaf - The essential oil is used in massage for Aromatherapeutic relif of
PMS and fluid retention, dermatitis, eczema, herpes and dry skin ailments.
Massage as a boost to the nervous system. The ‘graveolens’ variety
(Rose-scented), in particular, has the following properties: relaxant,
antidepressant, antiseptic, reduces inflammation and controls bleeding. The
‘tomentosum’ variety - Peppermint Scented Geranium - is used as a poultice
for bruises and sprains.
(some information obtained from "The Complete Book of Herbs“,
by Leslie Bremness,
and “Encyclopedia of Herbs” by Deni Brown)
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