What is known about the beneficial qualities of field geranium? What substances are contained in its structure? How to collect and harvest a plant for the preparation of medicines? What are the medicinal properties and contraindications of field geranium? The answers to these and other questions can be found in our article.
Field geranium: description
The plant is a perennial herb that has a thick, powerful rhizome. Shoots are able to reach a height of 80 cm or more. It has an upright, branched stem closer to the top. The top contains a sticky substance that acts as the plant's natural defense against small pests. The adhesive composition does not allow insects to get to the inflorescences.
Field geranium, the photo of which can be seen in the article, has long-petiolate rounded leaves covered with small hairs. Large single flowers of a lilac-red hue are formed on the stems. Each of them contains 5 petals. The plant bears fruits in the form of beak-shaped seeds. Field geranium blooms from June to September.
A Brief History
Europeans discovered field geranium at the end17th century. The first bushes of the plant were brought to the Old World from South African countries. Soon, the plant began to be in extraordinary demand among the poor. Field geranium was valued for its attractive appearance, unpretentiousness to cultivation conditions, a wide range of medicinal properties. The poor used such grass to disinfect the air, to eliminate dampness in their homes.
In folk medicine, field geranium has been actively used since the middle of the 19th century. At this time, studies were carried out that proved the antibacterial properties of the plant. The leaves of the herb began to be used to make medicinal drops that were prescribed to people suffering from staphylococcus aureus. Field geranium tinctures were sprayed in rooms with an unfavorable environment in order to destroy pathogens.
Chemical composition
In the rhizomes of the plant, starch, catechins, flavonoids, saponins, phenol carboxylic acids are concentrated. The stems and leaves are saturated with fructose, sucrose, raffinose, glucose, carotene, K vitamins, ascorbic acid. Anthocyanins and tannins are also isolated from the shoots.
Features of the procurement of raw materials
Field geranium in the garden is cultivated with the same success as in natural growing conditions for the plant. Grow it in order to collect rhizomes and leaves. It is these parts of the plant that have medicinal properties.
Harvest the fieldgeranium during active flowering. The collected shoots are laid out in a thin layer under a canopy, which is able to protect the raw material from direct sunlight. Such raw materials are stored in wooden or glass containers, after grinding.
As for the rhizomes, they are harvested at the end of autumn. Before drying, shake off the soil, rinse thoroughly and lay out in the shade. Such raw materials are distributed in bags made from natural materials. You can store rhizomes for 3 years. During this time, the raw material retains its beneficial properties.
For medicinal purposes, fresh geranium juice is often used. Also used are mashed stems, crushed leaves of the plant.
Geranium field: medicinal properties
The plant is widely known for its sedative properties. The aerial part of the herb can be used to make medicines that can act on the nervous system both excitingly and depressingly.
In folk medicine, it was believed that field geranium also helps with a snake bite. A photo of this famous antitoxic agent can be seen in the presented section. If bitten by a snake, fresh crushed leaves of such a herb were applied to the poisoned area.
The plant has long been known among traditional healers for its anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities. Tinctures prepared from dried geraniums are recommended for use in case of malignant neoplasms. These funds are also used forspeedy recovery of bone tissue in fractures.
Decoctions prepared on the basis of field geranium rhizomes help to eliminate insomnia. They are also used for colds, in order to eliminate infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Geranium-based products can help in the fight against gastritis, facilitate the treatment of hemorrhoids.
All sorts of powders from crushed plant shoots are used to heal wounds, eliminate abscesses, ulcerative manifestations. Lotions are used for rheumatism, gout.
Decoctions of geraniums are an excellent disinfectant for rinsing the mouth. They are used for stomatitis, gingivitis, tonsillitis. Plant-based tinctures make it possible to eliminate the symptoms of ailments that affect the upper respiratory tract.
Contraindications
Geranium field therapy is not recommended during pregnancy. The active ingredients in the plant can harm the fetus and even lead to miscarriage.
You should not use all kinds of geranium tinctures for people suffering from chronic pathologies that affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The same applies to the elderly.
Geranium for diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Healers recommend using the plant for manifestations of osteochondrosis and sciatica. Crushed geranium leaves are considered an effective remedy. The latter are applied tosore spots and leave overnight. Such treatment helps to relieve pain and alleviate the general condition.
Eliminating ear pain
Field geranium can eliminate discomfort during the development of otitis media. In this case, the crushed leaf of the plant is placed in the ear. The juice of a medicinal plant disinfects tissues, prevents the development of inflammatory processes, and removes discomfort.
Ear pain in some people may occur in response to increased atmospheric pressure. In such situations, ground geranium leaves are combined with camphor oil and instilled into the ear canal. Relief occurs after 10-15 minutes.
Treatment of thyroid diseases
Geranium helps with the so-called goiter. The pathological phenomenon is manifested by an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland. In order to reduce the functional activity of this organ, which, in fact, leads to discomfort, the following remedy is used.
Several handfuls of field geraniums are placed in a glass jar and poured with alcohol (half a liter). Insist the medicine for a month, periodically shaking the composition. At the end, the product is carefully filtered through several layers of gauze or a fine sieve, throwing out all the cake. Take a healing tincture 3 times a day for a tablespoon before meals. To significantly reduce the volume of the thyroid gland, it is enough to drink more than a liter of alcohol composition for a month. If necessary, the course can be repeated.
Hemorrhoid treatment
In order to stop hemorrhoidal bleeding, it is recommendedthe use of juice squeezed from fresh shoots and leaves of the plant. To prepare the product, it is enough to grind such raw materials in a meat grinder or using a blender. To feel relief, you must regularly apply lotions based on the gruel of the plant.
Geranium for thrush
The plant also helps with common fungal manifestations, in particular, in case of thrush. To relieve the sensation of itching, a pharmacy tincture of field geranium is used, a few drops of which are dissolved in a glass of warm water. The solution is used as a means for regular douching.
Elimination of indigestion
Field geranium can help with the development of diarrhea. For these purposes, a medicine is used that is prepared from the dried root of the plant. To prepare the product, take about 30 grams of raw materials, brew it in a glass of boiled water and insist for 5-10 minutes. The composition is filtered and periodically consumed in small portions until the manifestations of diarrhea disappear.
